Postdoctoral Training Program in the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of Genetics

University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Pennsylvania invites applications for a 3-year Postdoctoral Training Program in the Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) of Genetics and Genomics. Fellows will join the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, engage with genetics and ELSI communities, and receive a generous stipend, benefits, and funds for books and travel.

Eligibility includes a doctoral degree by start date and US citizenship or permanent residency; remote work is not available.

Qualifications

• PhD, MD, or equivalent required or expected by summer of application.
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Strong interest in ethics, law, and social implications of genetics.

Responsibilities

• Participate fully in the ELSI genetics and genomics program at Penn.
• Engage with the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy; pursue independent research.

Skills

Bioethics knowledge

Scholarly writing

Education

Doctoral degree (MD/PhD or equivalent)

Job description

Postdoctoral Training Program in the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of Genetics

Location: Philadelphia, PA
Open Date: Sep 14, 2026
Deadline: Dec 09, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

The mission of the 3-year Penn Postdoctoral Training Program in the Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) of Genetics and Genomics, supported by a training grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute, is to prepare junior scholars for success as creative, independent investigators in the field of ELSI research. Fellows will participate fully in the life of the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, which is among the world's leading bioethics departments, and will engage with the outstanding genetic medicine, science, and ELSI communities at Penn. Fellows will receive a generous annual stipend, benefits, and funds for academic books and travel. When appropriate to their prior training and career goals, ELSI fellows may pursue a Master of Science in Medical Ethics to prepare them to compete for external funding in ELSI research. Steven Joffe, MD, MPH directs the Fellowship.

Qualifications

Applications are invited from scholars with doctoral degrees in hand (MDs, PhDs or equivalent), or who will receive such degrees by the summer of the year in which they apply to the fellowship. Doctorates may be in any relevant field, including but not limited to the life sciences, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, economics or anthropology. Prior experience in bioethics is not required. In addition, applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

For additional information, please contact:

Emily Walters

Administrative Coordinator

[e-mail]

Note: Fellows participating in this program incur a payback requirement. After completing the first year of the program, fellows must spend a year pursuing health-related research, teaching or service in order to fulfill this requirement. Completion of the second year of the program is adequate to fulfill the payback requirement.

University policy states that any individual's cumulative post-doc experience should not exceed five years total; therefore, individuals who will have completed more than 2 years as a post-doc prior to their anticipated start date in this program are not eligible.

This is an in-person fellowship; remote/virtual applicants are not eligible.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.