Washington University is recognized as one of the leading research institutions in the world. The university is committed to excellence in research and education, and recognizes that postdoctoral appointees make a critical contribution to the overall research mission through the generation of new ideas, sharing of research knowledge, and the publication of research results. Washington University also recognizes that postdoctoral appointments are temporary training positions designed to enhance research, professional and other skills. Postdocs are supported in their career and professional skills development, have access to a variety of additional campus resources, and all postdoctoral appointees are members of the active WashU Postdoc Society.
Office of Postdoctoral Affairs – Postdoc Recruitment Brochure – Why WashU
Info Session Presentation – slides and recording
This event was held in March 2021. We plan to hold this again but do not have a date set.
All postdoctoral appointments are made individually by faculty members. There are several ways to search for a postdoc position:
- The Washington University jobs board search “Post Docs” under job families.
- By department to see if there are positions available or to find faculty in a specific area of research.
- NIH-funded Training Grants in the School of Medicine
- Subscribe to the Postdoc Update! Recently opened positions are listed here.
University benefits and postdoctoral policies can be found on our Policies & Benefits Page
Postdoctoral training is a transitional period in your career and you need to find the best fit. Ask questions now and evaluate the answers carefully to save time and energy later. When you interview for a position, you are also interviewing the faculty mentor, other colleagues and the university. Know what you need to be successful, and start from there. It’s better to choose wisely now, than to try to get out of a bad situation later.
A few questions to think about:
What do you need to succeed?
What type of environment is best for you? Do you prefer large or small groups? What kind of management style are you looking for in a faculty mentor? What are your goals short and long term career plans? Will working with a specific group or mentor help you achieve these goals? Do you have a partner who needs to find a position? Do you have geographical constraints?
What kind of faculty mentor do you want?
Research prospective mentors before applying, during and after the interview. Where have former postdocs gone after training? What is their reputation concerning postdocs? Is this type of research a good fit? Will you have the opportunity to develop independence? Will you learn the skills and techniques you need to succeed in your field? How well respected are they? What do current & former mentees say about their experience? Will you need to apply for funding?
Other resources:
National Postdoctoral Association Resources
Finding the “Perfect Postdoc” for You by Carol Manahan
“Questions to Ask When Considering Postdoc Positions” by Nicholas Schade, PhD
Words of Advice: choosing the right lab for your post-doctoral fellowship
University guide to St. Louis. As the Gateway to the West, St. Louis has an interesting and varied history, combining many cultures and perspectives. Here are a few of our favorite things about our city:
Arts & Culture
- St. Louis Art Museum
- The Muny Outdoor Theater
- Contemporary Art Museum
- City Museum
- Opera Theater of St. Louis
- Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
Green Spaces & the Outdoors
- Missouri Botanical Garden
- Forest Park
- St. Louis Zoo
- Tower Grove Park
- Laumier Sculpture Park
- Mark Twain National Forest
- Missouri State Parks
Entertainment
- Sports Teams: St. Louis Blues Hockey, St. Louis Cardinals Baseball, St. Louis FC Soccer
- Sauce Magazine
- Breweries
- Annual St. Louis Events
Community
Housing
- OISS page on housing
- Med student housing page, also includes an informal guide