Postdoctoral Researcher
Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. The 425-acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.
About the role
We invite applications for a postdoctoral position in biological physics / quantitative biology to work in the group of Associate Prof. Eva-Maria Collins in the Biology Department at Swarthmore College. The Collins lab is an interdisciplinary group of undergraduate students, postdocs, and research staff that thrives on teamwork and welcomes diverse candidates.
This NSF-funded position investigates how a simple animal coordinates cellular signaling and mechanical forces to drive dramatic, whole-body tissue deformations using Hydra as an experimental system. Hydra is easy to maintain in the laboratory and uniquely suited for in vivo biomechanics studies due to its simple anatomy, optical transparency, and amenability to chemical, physical, and genetic perturbations. The interdisciplinary nature of the project allows ample room for you to bring your own ideas and approaches.
The position offers significant research autonomy, opportunities to mentor undergraduate researchers, and access to a vibrant scientific community at Swarthmore College and the University of Pennsylvania (only a 20-minute drive away). While well-suited for candidates considering faculty positions at primarily undergraduate institutions, we welcome applicants at any career stage.
Responsibilities
- Perform experiments, analyze, visualize, and interpret data
- Perform computational work and mathematical modeling
- Presentation of work in written reports, scientific manuscripts, grant proposals, and oral presentations
- Supervise and mentor undergraduate research students
- Perform animal care, lab chores, and instrument maintenance
Supervisory Responsibilities: Co-supervise 1-3 undergraduate students per semester.
Requirements
Required Qualifications:
- PhD in molecular and cellular biology, quantitative biology, biophysics, or closely related field
- Demonstrated working experience with cellular and molecular biology techniques
- Demonstrated coding experience in MATLAB or Python (or similar languages)
- Demonstrated experience with advanced microscopy (e.g., confocal, SPIM)
- Excellent organizational and communication skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience working with cell culture
- Demonstrated experience with designing and building custom experimental setups
- Demonstrated experience mentoring student researchers
- Demonstrated leadership experience
Benefits
- Retirement plans with 10% College contribution (100% vested immediately)
- Tuition Grant Program
- Tuition Reimbursement Program
- Paid Time Off (for staff)
- Comprehensive holiday schedule
Pay
The market range for this position is $62,000–$71,000 per year. The salary offered is determined based on factors including experience, education, departmental budget, internal salary equity, and market information.