Jobs and Careers

Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Bursky Public Health

United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 8 Jul 2026

About the role

Position Summary

A one-year Postdoctoral Fellowship is available with Dr. Virginia McKay for the 2026-2027 academic year. We are particularly interested in postdoctoral fellows who can advance research on translation and dissemination of interventions in infectious diseases.

The fellowship will begin in summer 2026 with a flexible start window between July and August. The program is designed for emerging professionals in public health who are passionate about the intersection of infectious diseases and dissemination and implementation science. Fellows gain advanced applied experience in public health research, statistical analyses and translational science.

School of Public Health

WashU launched the School of Public Health in January 2025 – the University’s first new School in 100 years. The School is led by the inaugural Dean, Dr. Sandro Galea and is at the center of Washington University’s aspirations for interdisciplinary scholarship, education, and translation of the work. With the Dean of the School of Public Health also serving as the Vice Provost for Interdisciplinary Initiatives, there is a moment-in-time opportunity to transform not only how academic public health is conducted worldwide, but also how WashU’s breadth of scholarship across disciplines is conducted and applied.

In its first year, the School welcomed students, applied for accreditation, recruited faculty, appointed secondary faculty, and executed convenings to encourage public health dialogue and raise the profile of the School nationally. The school has an ambitious 4x4 plan and is working swiftly to become a leading school of public health.

Program of Research

Dr. McKay leads a robust program of research primarily in dissemination and implementation science, infectious diseases, and systems science. This work is supported by a mix of funding sources from the National Institutes of Health, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and foundation grants. She is the assistant director of research in the Center for Public Health Systems Science, and she co-leads the Dissemination and Implementation Research Core for the Midwest Developmental Center for AIDS Research.

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/.

Trains under the supervision of a faculty mentor including (but not limited to):

Develops an independent and ambitious research program consistent with the themes of the fellowship.
Develops a robust track record of academic papers submitted in line with the fellow’s research agenda.
Participates in grant preparation and reporting.
Engages in translation of science and scholarship to achieve a broader reach for our work.
Assists in the design of research projects including implementation of research.
Maintains conformity with ethical standards in research.
Maintains collegial conduct towards co-trainees, staff members and members.
Adheres to all applicable University policies, procedures and regulations. All data, research records and materials and other intellectual property generated at the University 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.