Career Center

Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods. Swarthmore College was recently ranked number 3 in the 2021 US News Best National Liberal Arts Colleges rankings - https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/swarthmore-college-3370.

The Biology department at Swarthmore College is searching for a highly motivated researcher with excellent communication skills who is passionate about both research and teaching. We study how the brain controls behavior during development and in response to environmental toxicants and drugs, using freshwater planarians as a model system. We combine molecular techniques such as RNAi, qPCR, Next-Gen sequencing and computational neuroethology to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying specific behaviors. This is a great opportunity for a post-doctoral fellow with an interest in undergraduate teaching and future career at a Liberal Arts College.

Applicants should have a PhD (or be close to completing one) in a relevant field. Excellent communication skills and a commitment to undergraduate mentoring are essential. Applicants with strong computational skills are especially encouraged to apply.

Essential Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will use a variety of cellular and molecular biology techniques, biochemical assays, advanced microscopy, and quantitative behavioral assays using a state-of-the art robotic system. The project will include extensive computational image and data analysis and statistics, and thus the candidate should ideally demonstrate experience with computational analyses and bioinformatics.

The successful candidate will work closely with undergraduate students at Swarthmore College. Therefore, demonstrated team-work ability and a strong interest in mentoring undergraduate students is preferred. The postdoctoral fellow will be encouraged to lead the project, collaborate with the PI and undergraduate students on high-impact publications, and present at key conferences in the field.

This is a limited term position and is on an annual renewal basis. This position offers a competitive benefits package and paid time off.

Required Qualifications:
PhD in a relevant field.

Preferred Qualifications:
Candidates with strong computational skills and/or an interest in instrumentation are especially encouraged to apply.

To apply, candidates should submit their application materials, including a Cover letter, CV, most relevant publication, and email addresses of three references through the Swarthmore College Job Portal.

Applications will be considered immediately and on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please feel free to contact Eva-Maria directly at ecollin3@swarthmore.edu with any questions.

Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. 

Logo

About Swarthmore College

Since its founding in 1864, Swarthmore College has given students the knowledge, insight, skills, and experience to become leaders for the common good. Offering a liberal arts and engineering curriculum, the College is private, yet open to all regardless of financial need. It is also decidedly global in outlook, drawing students from around the world and all 50 states. The diversity of perspectives represented by Swarthmore students, faculty, and staff - including different viewpoints, identities, and histories - contributes to the community's strong sense of open dialogue and engagement with ideas and issues.

Connections working at Swarthmore College