Job Description

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.

Who We Are:

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 to join us.

The opportunity:

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 to join us.

Are you a quantitative biologist or biophysicist looking for a postdoctoral position that combines rigorous, high-impact research with real teaching and mentoring experience? This NSF-funded position in our team might be exactly what you are looking for!  You will investigate how a simple animal coordinates cellular signaling and mechanical forces to drive dramatic, whole-body tissue deformations - using Hydra as a powerful experimental system that bridges cell biology, biophysics, and organismal behavior. 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 leaves ample room for you to bring your own ideas and approaches to the table. Applicants with experience in developing new experimental and/or computational approaches and an  interest in mathematical modeling of biological systems are especially encouraged to apply.

The postdoctoral position offers significant research autonomy, opportunities to mentor undergraduate researchers, and access to a vibrant scientific community at Swarthmore College and at the University of Pennsylvania (only a 20 min drive away). While the position is well suited for candidates considering faculty positions at primarily undergraduate institutions, we welcome applicants at any stage of thinking about their career path. What matters most is curiosity, creativity, and a genuine enthusiasm for tackling open questions at the interface.

Essential 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

What you bring:

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

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration and priority review, submit applications with pay expectations, including a resume and cover letter, and the application materials will be reviewed immediately and on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The market range for this position is $62,000-$71,000 per year, which represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the time of posting. The salary offered is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, experience and education of the final selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

PA Criminal Clearance Required

Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.

Education Verification Required by Position

An education verification is required for this position because a college degree is a required qualification for this position.

Preview our Benefits Flyer. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.

Swarthmore College is committed to creating a culture of respect and inclusion so that every member of our community feels a sense of belonging. We actively seek and welcome candidates with diverse perspectives and experiences, exceptional qualifications, and a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any identity or characteristic protected by law or College Policy.

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