Postdoctoral Research Associate - Oncology

Washington University in St. Louis; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington University in St. Louis is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate within the Global Oncology Initiative to support implementation and clinical research across East Africa. The fellow will work with Dr.

Thomas Odeny and multidisciplinary teams on cancer care delivery, implementation science, and HIV-associated malignancies, including PRIME-KS and PAMOJA Ignite projects. The role emphasizes study coordination, data analysis, manuscript development, and cross-site collaboration with

Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent terminal or doctoral degree.
• No specific work experience required.
• Not applicable for driving license.
• IRB/regulatory experience preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate implementation and research activities across multiple global oncology projects.
• Serve as study coordinator for clinical and implementation science research activities.
• Participate in IRB submissions, regulatory documentation, and data-sharing processes.
• Contribute to international research activities, trainings, and partner engagement.
• Lead manuscript development, scientific presentations, and grant applications.
• Develop expertise in implementation science, global oncology research, and clinical operations.

Skills

Organizational skills

Project coordination

Scientific writing

Data analysis

IRB/regulatory knowledge

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Statistical analysis

Epidemiological methods

Communication skills

Africa research experience

Education

Ph.D./M.D. or equivalent

Job description

Location

St. Louis, MO 63110

Position Summary

The Global Oncology Initiative (GOI) within the Division of Oncology at WashU Medicine is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to support implementation and clinical research activities across a portfolio of global oncology projects in East Africa.

The postdoctoral researcher will work closely with Dr. Thomas Odeny and multidisciplinary collaborators on projects focused on cancer care delivery, implementation science, and HIV-associated malignancies. The primary projects the postdoctoral researcher will work on are:

• PAMOJA Ignite: A WashU-funded study examining patient navigation and human-centered design approaches in cancer care in Kenya. The fellow will support study coordination, data analysis, and dissemination.
• PRIME-KS (NIH U01): A multi-site implementation science study evaluating precision imaging tools for Kaposi sarcoma in East Africa. The fellow will contribute to data analysis, manuscript development, and study activities across Kenya and Uganda sites.

The associate will also work directly with the PI on data analysis and manuscript development on selected additional projects.

This position is designed for an early-career investigator interested in global oncology, implementation science, clinical research operations, and international collaborative research. The postdoctoral researcher will receive mentorship and training in study coordination, IRB and regulatory processes, grants management, scientific writing, implementation research methods, and cross-site project management. The postdoctoral researcher will collaborate closely with research teams and institutional partners in Kenya and Uganda and gain hands‑on experience managing international research coordination across diverse clinical and regulatory environments.

The position offers opportunities for scholarly development, manuscript preparation, conference presentations, grant writing, and leadership within a collaborative global health research environment. All data, research records and materials and other intellectual property generated in University laboratories remain the property of the University.

By the end of the appointment, the fellow is expected to have:

• Developed and submitted at least one independent grant application.
• Led or co-led a minimum of two peer-reviewed publications as first or second author.
• Achieved proficiency in global oncology research methods, including embedding implementation science frameworks within cancer clinical trials.
• Developed competency in mentoring junior researchers, including Kenyan trainees.

There may also be opportunities to participate in additional structured training programs, including the HIGH-IRI Cancer Cohort, depending on the fellow’s interests and project needs.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Information on being a postdoc at WashU in St. Louis can be found at https://postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs-2/.

Under the supervision of faculty mentors, the postdoctoral researcher will:

• Coordinate implementation and research activities across multiple global oncology projects, including PRIME-KS, PAMOJA IGNITE and other studies.
• Serve as a study coordinator for ongoing clinical and implementation science research activities, including tracking study milestones, timelines, documentation, and deliverables.
• Participate in IRB submissions, regulatory documentation, protocol development, data‑sharing processes, and study compliance activities.
• Contribute to the coordination of international research activities, meetings, trainings, and partner engagement efforts.
• Support qualitative and quantitative research activities, including data collection coordination, monitoring study progress, and contributing to analysis and interpretation of findings.
• Design research experiments.
• Lead and contribute to manuscript development, scientific presentations, progress reports, and grant applications.
• Develop expertise in implementation science, global oncology research, and clinical research operations within international collaborative settings.
• Develop proficiency in career skills, including writing, public speaking, networking, and critical evaluation of scientific literature.
• Present scientific work internally and externally through meetings, conferences, and seminars.
• Maintain accurate research documentation and ensure adherence to institutional, ethical, and regulatory standards.
• Engage in professional development activities related to research leadership, scientific communication, grantsmanship, and academic career development.
• Foster collaborative and respectful working relationships with investigators, trainees, staff, and international partners.
• Adhere to all applicable University policies, procedures, and research compliance requirements.

Working Conditions:

This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards.The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

Salary Range:

Base pay is commensurate with experience.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Ph.D., M.D. Or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree.

Certifications /Professional Licenses : No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience:

No specific work experience is required for this position.

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver’s License:

A driver’s license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree (PhD, MD, DrPH, or equivalent) in a relevant field, completed by start date.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills.
• Strong scientific writing skills.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis and epidemiological methods.
• Genuine interest in cancer care and global health.
• Familiarity with implementation science principles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills..
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across multidisciplinary and cross-cultural teams.
• Prior research or work experience in Africa.
• Experience with mixed-methods research.
• Familiarity with NIH grant mechanisms and the research administration landscape.
• Experience supporting clinical or implementation science research studies.
• Familiarity with IRB/regulatory processes and research compliance activities.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Certifications /Professional Licenses : No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Skills:

Collaboration, Data Analysis, Data Interpretations, Experimentation, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Techniques, Researching, Results Reporting, Scientific Writing

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [e-mail] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.