Job Description

Postdoctoral Research Associate Position Open in the Schindler Lab (Department of Neurology) – Real-World Evidence on Alzheimer’s Disease Biomarkers and Amyloid-Targeting Treatments from the WashU Memory Diagnostic Center

The Schindler Lab is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to collect, curate, and analyze real-world clinical data from the WashU Memory Diagnostic Center (MDC) on patients undergoing AD biomarker testing and receiving amyloid-targeting treatments (ATTs) such as lecanemab and donanemab.

The development of biomarker tests and disease-modifying treatments for early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has transformed clinical care, yet most data derive from structured research protocols in highly selected participants. Real-world evidence from diverse clinical settings is essential to understand patient care pathways, ATT safety and efficacy, long-term outcomes, and factors influencing treatment decisions in routine practice.

The MDC evaluates approximately 4,100 unique patients annually, performs 50–60 AD biomarker tests monthly (amyloid PET, CSF, and blood-based), and is one of the world’s largest providers of ATTs, with 591 patients having received at least one infusion (467 lecanemab, 124 donanemab) as of April 17, 2026. Using Epic EHR data (structured diagnoses, CDR/CDR-SB, cognitive batteries, comorbidities, and longitudinal follow-up), the postdoctoral fellow will contribute to high-impact projects, including:

1. Developing and validating algorithms that extract data from the Epic EHR (e.g., large language models) via comparison with manually extracted data.
2. Personalized prognostic models of time to loss of independence.
3. Identification of characteristics associated with ATT initiation to optimize referral pathways.
4. Real-world ATT outcomes, benefit-risk profiles, ARIA monitoring, and effects of co-pathologies.

The postdoctoral researcher will have the opportunity to work with world leaders in AD clinical care and bioinformatics. In addition to high-quality research facilities, career and professional development training for postdoctoral researchers is provided through the Career Center, Teaching Center, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, and campus groups.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

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

• The postdoctoral fellow will train under the mentorship of Dr. Suzanne Schindler with additional training from other lab members and collaborators in the Institute for Informatics. The postdoctoral research scholar will have the following responsibilities:
  • Manages their own project, which should lead to a first-author publication.
  • Develops expertise in real-world clinical data abstraction, curation, and analysis from electronic health records and registries.
  • Develops proficiency in career skills, including writing, public speaking, networking, and critical evaluation of scientific literature.
  • Presents scientific work both inside and outside the University with excellent oral communication skills.
  • Assists with grant preparation and reporting.
  • Prepares and submits papers on research.
  • Assists in the design of research experiments.
  • Evaluates research findings and assists in the reporting of the results.
  • Conscientious discharge of their research responsibilities.
  • Maintains conformity with ethical standards in research.
  • Maintains compliance with good laboratory practice including the maintenance of adequate research records.
  • Engages in open and timely discussion with their mentor regarding possession or distribution of material, reagents, or records belonging to their laboratory and any proposed disclosure of findings or techniques privately or in publications.
  • Collegial conduct towards co-trainees, staff members and members of the research group.
  • Adherence to all applicable University policies, procedures and regulations. All data, research records and materials and other intellectual property generated in University laboratories remain the property of the University.

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.

CertificationsProfessional 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

At WashU, postdoctoral appointments:

• Have a 5-year term limit that includes previous experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

CertificationsProfessional 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 emailCandidateQuestions@wustl.eduor 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.