Edwin Thompson Jaynes Postdoctoral Fellow in Physics

Position Summary

The Department of Physics at WashU in St. Louis invites applications for the Edwin T. Jaynes Fellowship. We welcome applicants with interests in the research areas of the Department of Physics (Nuclear and Particle Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, Quantum Information, Biophysics, and Astrophysics and Cosmology). The Fellowship is a prize postdoctoral fellowship managed by the Department of Physics. Successful candidates are expected to propose a tentative research program, and to further develop and refine that program during their fellowship at WashU. The aim of the fellowship is to prepare the candidate(s) in the best possible way for faculty positions at research institutions or staff scientist positions at national laboratories. The awardees will pursue an independent research program, collaborating with one or several faculty members from the Department of Physics, as well as with other postdoctoral and graduate researchers in the department. Jaynes Fellowships are anticipated to continue for three years, conditional to satisfactory yearly performance evaluations. Fellows will be assigned a faculty mentor or mentoring committee, as appropriate, to facilitate their scientific growth. Residence at the Department of Physics at WashU in St. Louis is required. The anticipated start date for this position is July 1, 2027.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities: Trains under the supervision of a faculty mentor including (but not limited to): Successful candidates are expected to propose a tentative research program, and to further develop and refine that program during their fellowship at WashU. The aim of the fellowship is to prepare the candidate(s) in the best possible way for faculty positions at research institutions or staff scientist positions at national laboratories. The awardees will pursue an independent research program, collaborating with one or several faculty members from the Department of Physics, as well as with other postdoctoral and graduate researchers in the department.

Salary

The starting salary for this position is $70,000 with an additional annual allotment of $10,000 to be utilized for research purposes.

Applicant Special Instructions

The application deadline is November 15, 2026. Individuals currently employed by Washington University Department of Physics are not eligible for consideration. Under Washington University Policy, an individual’s cumulative postdoctoral experience, including prior postdoctoral experience at other institutions, may not exceed five years. Accordingly, the length of the fellowship appointment will be limited to the candidate’s eligibility within the five-year maximum. For an application to be considered, applicants must submit the following documentation: Curriculum Vitae (CV), Cover Letter, List of Publications, Research Proposal, 3 Professional References that can be submitted here: Edwin T. Jaynes Reference Letter Submission.

More About This Job

WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.

Education

Required Qualifications: Ph.D., M.D. Or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree.

Skills

Not Applicable

Questions

If you have 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 email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or 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.