Postdoctoral Research Associate - Oncology

Position Summary

The Global Oncology Initiative (GOI) within the Division of Oncology at WashU Medicine is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to support implementation and clinical research activities across a portfolio of global oncology projects in East Africa. The postdoctoral researcher will work closely with Dr. Thomas Odeny and multidisciplinary collaborators on projects focused on cancer care delivery, implementation science, and HIV-associated malignancies.

Primary projects include:

• PAMOJA Ignite
  : A WashU‑funded study examining patient navigation and human‑centered design approaches in cancer care in Kenya. The fellow will support study coordination, data analysis, and dissemination.
• PRIME‑KS (NIH U01): A multi‑site implementation science study evaluating precision imaging tools for Kaposi sarcoma in East Africa. The fellow will contribute to data analysis, manuscript development, and study activities across Kenya and Uganda sites.

Additional selected projects will be coordinated directly with the PI. The position is designed for an early‑career investigator interested in global oncology, implementation science, clinical research operations, and international collaborative research. The postdoctoral researcher will receive mentorship and training in study coordination, IRB and regulatory processes, grants management, scientific writing, implementation research methods, and cross‑site project management. Close collaboration with research teams and institutional partners in Kenya and Uganda will provide hands‑on experience managing international research coordination across diverse clinical and regulatory environments.

The appointment offers opportunities for scholarly development, manuscript preparation, conference presentations, grant writing, and leadership within a collaborative global health research environment. All data, research records and materials, and intellectual property generated in University laboratories remain the property of the University.

By the end of the appointment, the fellow is expected to have:

• Developed and submitted at least one independent grant application.
• Led or co‑led a minimum of two peer‑reviewed publications as first or second author.
• Achieved proficiency in global oncology research methods, including embedding implementation science frameworks within cancer clinical trials.
• Developed competency in mentoring junior researchers, including Kenyan trainees.

There may also be opportunities to participate in additional structured training programs, including the HIGH‑IRI Cancer Cohort, depending on the fellow’s interests and project needs.

Under the supervision of faculty mentors, the postdoctoral researcher will:

• Coordinate implementation and research activities across multiple global oncology projects, including PRIME‑KS, PAMOJA IGNITE, and other studies.
• Serve as a study coordinator for ongoing clinical and implementation science research activities, including tracking study milestones, timelines, documentation, and deliverables.
• Participate in IRB submissions, regulatory documentation, protocol development, data‑sharing processes, and study compliance activities.
• Contribute to the coordination of international research activities, meetings, trainings, and partner engagement efforts.
• Support qualitative and quantitative research activities, including data collection coordination, monitoring study progress, and contributing to analysis and interpretation of findings.
• Design research experiments.
• Lead and contribute to manuscript development, scientific presentations, progress reports, and grant applications.
• Develop expertise in implementation science, global oncology research, and clinical research operations within international collaborative settings.
• Develop proficiency in career skills, including writing, public speaking, networking, and critical evaluation of scientific literature.
• Present scientific work internally and externally through meetings, conferences, and seminars.
• Maintain accurate research documentation and ensure adherence to institutional, ethical, and regulatory standards.
• Engage in professional…