Job Description

Location

ST. LOUIS, MO 63105

Scheduled Hours

37.5The Healthier Futures Lab in the School of Public Health is seeking a Research Scientist to serve as a core scientific contributor and strategic partner in a growing, high-impact research agenda. The Healthier Futures Lab sits at the intersection of population health science and the study of how public health knowledge is produced and used and aims to reshape how the field thinks about evidence, rigor, and real-world impact. The lab holds funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies, NIH, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and World Health Organization, and operates across multiple countries and sectors.
The Research Scientist will have significant ownership over the direction and execution of original empirical research, from study design and data analysis through publication and public engagement. The role includes serving as day-to-day scientific lead for one or more externally funded initiatives, including a multi-year, multi-city applied public health program with global reach.
The ideal candidate brings deep methodological expertise, the ability to operate independently and manage a large program, and the ambition to help build a lab that is doing something different in population health science.

Research Design and Scientific Leadership

• Leads the design of population health studies across the lab’s research portfolio. The lab’s focus is primarily quantitative although some familiarity with mixed methods may be helpful. Develops research protocols, data analytic plans, and measurement approaches appropriate to each project’s scientific questions and population focus. Contributes to the conceptual and theoretical framing of research projects. Advises and supports other lab members on methodological questions and data analytical decisions. Serves as scientific lead for designated lab initiatives, coordinating contributors across the project.

Data Analysis and Interpretation

• Conducts advanced statistical and data analyses using relevant software (e.g., R, Stata, Python). Manages and documents datasets in accordance with ethical and reproducibility standards. Synthesizes findings across projects and contributes to cross-project learning and evidence integration. Prepares analytic outputs for internal use and external dissemination.

Manuscript Preparation and Scientific Dissemination

• Leads and co-authors peer-reviewed manuscripts, policy briefs, and other scientific products. Manages manuscript submission and peer review processes. Presents research at conferences, seminars, and funder convenings. Supports the lab’s commitment to open science and public health translation.

Project Leadership, Grant Management, and Partner Coordination

• Contributes substantively to the development and writing of grant proposals and renewals. Assists with IRB submissions, amendments, and compliance. Supports reporting to funders, including preparation of progress reports and deliverables. Helps to maintain fidelity to grant scopes and timelines across concurrent awards. Leads delivery of a designated funded initiative, including coordination of an external advisor network and city and partner stakeholders, management of funder milestones and deliverables across a multi-year award, and primary day-to-day responsibility for the project’s scope and timeline.

Mentorship and Team Collaboration

• Provides mentorship and day-to-day guidance to graduate research assistants and junior lab members on research methods, scientific writing, and professional development. Collaborates closely with the lab director and external collaborators to advance shared scientific goals. Participates in lab meetings and contributes to a culture of intellectual rigor and collegial inquiry.

Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal Office Environment

Physical Effort

• Typically Sitting at a desk or table
• Ability to travel to on and off campus locations

Equipment

• Office Equipment

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:

Phd Or Terminal Degree Or Combination Of Education And Experience May Substitute For Minimum Education.

CertificationsProfessional Licenses

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Postdoctoral (3 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

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

More About This Job

Required Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree (e.g., Ph.D.) in public health, epidemiology, social sciences, or a closely related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Postdoctoral training or equivalent research experience of at least 2 years in public health, social epidemiology, population mental health, or public health.

• Program management of large-scale projects.

• Experience contributing to externally funded research projects, including grant writing and IRB management.

• Experience mentoring junior researchers or graduate students.

• Track record of scientific dissemination including conference presentations and policy engagement.

• Ability to execute independent research from conception through dissemination

• Comfort working within an interdisciplinary, team-based research environment.

• Commitment to rigorous, reproducible, and ethical research practice.

• Demonstrated experience conducting independent empirical research, including peer-reviewed publication. Proficiency in quantitative data analysis and statistical computing languages (e.g., R, Stata, Python).

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:

Analytical Thinking, Communication, Data Management, Deadline Management, Ethical Practices, Independent Research, Interdisciplinary Research, Manuscript Development, Multitasking, Oral Communications, Project Management, Reproducible Research, Scientific Writing, Statistical Software, Teamwork, Work Collaboratively, Written Communication

Grade

R12

Salary Range

$63,400.00 - $115,000.00 / AnnuallyThe salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

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

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/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.