Postdoctoral Associate

Posting Details

Please see Special Instructions for more details on GW jobs website.

Appointments are limited-term and are designed for those who have recently received a doctorate. Appointments are made to academic departments with the approval of the department head and may require senior officer approval. Appointments are usually for not less than one term and are normally not renewed beyond a total of five years. This appointment is not intended for long-term, indefinite, or career appointments.

I. POSITION INFORMATION

Job Description Summary:

The Kostal Laboratory in the GW Department of Chemistry seeks a postdoctoral researcher for a newly funded multi-institutional project developing computational frameworks for the de novo design of functional and safer chemicals. The position supports GW's physics-led modeling effort by integrating computational/theoretical chemistry, molecular simulation, data analysis, and predictive modeling to establish mechanistically grounded relationships between molecular properties and chemical function, toxicity, bioaccumulation, and environmental degradation. Initial applications focus on UV blockers and plasticizers. The researcher will work closely with partner teams in experimental toxicology, AI-enabled molecular design, exposomics, and data integration.

Postdocs will design, organize and conduct specialized and advanced experiments using established scientific protocols, troubleshoot and design new protocols, summarize findings and publish results in research journals, under the general supervision of a faculty member. In some cases, postdocs will assume general responsibility for general scientific operations in the lab, and/or provide supervision and guidance to laboratory staff, trainees and other researchers.

Examples of duties might include:

Design and implement research protocols; design safety procedures; adapt new procedures, methods or instrumentation relative to research procedures.

Collect, prepare and analyze research data; keep a detailed notebook summarizing experiments and recording research data; maintain computer database of research data; tabulate and display data for presentation in research conferences and for manuscript preparation; use graphics and statistical software to analyze and present data; search pertinent scientific literature as needed.

Supervise other personnel in the laboratory; participate in training of fellows, residents, students and volunteer workers as needed.

Oversee reagent preparation, equipment maintenance, animal maintenance; assist with ordering and procurement and with general maintenance of laboratory.

A Postdoctoral Associate:

holds a PhD or equivalent degree;

develops skills by participating in scholarly projects that are actively mentored by a member of the university faculty;

receives financial support in the form of a salary that is typically funded by grants, contracts or departmental funds secured by a faculty mentor; and

has a limited term of up to five years at GW.

In collaboration with experienced researchers, this role will participate in the planning and conduction of discovery research, data analysis and interpretation, preparation of materials for publication, presentations at conferences and meetings, and may develop new theories and methodologies. This role can expect timely advice as to research directions and career planning for a future independent career.

Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must have fulfilled all requirements for the award of a PhD or equivalent qualification in a relevant field by the date of employment.

Desired Qualifications:

• Ph.D. or doctorate in chemistry, computational/theoretical chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, cheminformatics, or a closely related field
• Strong training in computational chemistry
• Experience analyzing chemical or molecular datasets
• Proficiency with scientific computing and data analysis, preferably Python. Relevant experience may include electronic-structure calculations, molecular simulation, cheminformatics, QSAR/QSPR development, or statistical modeling.
• Strong quantitative reasoning, scientific independence, clear communication, and interest in interdisciplinary safer-chemical design are essential.
• Experience with machine learning, deep learning, generative AI, AI-enabled molecular design, workflow automation, Linux/HPC environments, or collaborative software development is highly desirable.

Hiring Range $60,000 to $63,480

Healthcare Benefits

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package for Postdoc Associates and Scholars that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, well-being and various voluntary benefits. Postdoc Scholars may also be eligible for retirement savings and tuition programs. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/postdoc_benefits.

II. POSITION INFORMATION

Posting Number P010170 Job Open Date 10/16/2026 Job Close Date Part-time / Full-time PF Post Doc Full Time Exempt Total Hours per Week 40 Work Schedule M-F; 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Campus Location Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C. College/School/Department: Columbian College of Arts & Sciences (CCAS) Expected duration of appointment 1 Year Position Designation On-Campus/In-Person Special Instructions to Applicants

Employees in this subfamily are responsible for designing and conducting experiments in a controlled laboratory setting. Duties may include performing experiments, collecting, analyzing and reporting data.

Required Background Check Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search EEO Statement

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Are you a current GW employee?

• Yes

• No

• • For current GW employees, have you completed your Introductory Employment Period (IEP)? (As a reminder, employees in their IEP are not eligible to apply for other internal university staff and research positions until the IEP is complete.)

• Yes, IEP complete

• No, still in IEP

• N/a - not a current GW employee

• • Will you have a Ph.D. or Doctorate in Chemistry or a closely related field by the date of appointment?

• Yes

• No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae

Optional Documents

• Resume