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. Successful applicants will be initially appointed as postdoctoral fellows and employment in this role is anticipated to begin July 1, 2026.
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/.
Salary Range:
Base pay is commensurate with experience.
Applicant Special Instructions:
Applications should include:
- Cover letter.
- Curriculum vitae that includes a list of publications.
- A one-paragraph description of the applicant’s individual contribution to up to three publications (1 page maximum).
- A two-page research proposal specifying how the proposed research fits within the existing departmental research activities.
The application should include a two-page description of the candidate’s proposed research program listing the name(s) of potential collaborators from among the faculty members of the Department of Physics and a brief description of possible joint research activities. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their research project(s) with potential faculty collaborators before applying for the fellowship.
Applications and three reference letters are due at the time of application submission no later than Dec 15th, 2025. Please have your references email their letters directly to jaynes_fellowship@physics.wustl.edu.
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:
Ph.D., M.D. Or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree.
Certifications/Professional Licenses:
No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
Work Experience:
No specific work experience is required for this position.
Skills:
Not Applicable
Driver's License:
A driver's license is not required for this position.
More About This Job
Required Qualifications
Candidates must have a PhD completed by July 1, 2026, specializing in one of the fields listed in the position summary and have a record of excellent scholarship, and no more than four years of postdoctoral experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Ideal candidates will have demonstrated expertise in relevant observational, lab-based, theoretical, and/or computational methodologies.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Certifications/Professional 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:
Not Applicable
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
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 and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. 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, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.Washington University is dedicated to building a community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.
