Description

Position Overview

The IRACDA Program at the University of Kansas (KU) is accepting applications for postdoctoral scholarships. We are seeking scholars who are excited about a postdoctoral experience that combines both research and teaching/education.

The KU IRACDA (Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Awards) is a postdoctoral training program supported by NIH-NIGMS. We seek to prepare postdoctoral scholars for careers in academia by providing a mentored research experience and opportunities to gain skills in education and teaching. Scholars will spend ~75% of their time conducting biomedical research relevant to the NIGMS mission, and ~25% of their time on teaching-related activities.

Postdoctoral scholars will be mentored in research by a KU faculty member. Faculty in the following departments on the KU-Lawrence campus are affiliated with the KU IRACDA program: Molecular Biosciences, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and Medicinal Chemistry. Additionally, faculty in the KU Cancer Center (some of whom are based at KU Medical Center in Kansas City) are also affiliated with the KU IRACDA. All these groups provide an excellent environment for research development in a range of biological and biomedical fields, and these mentored research experiences will be supplemented by skill-development workshops.

In addition, the KU IRACDA provides scholars with an opportunity to gain teaching skills via mentored teaching experiences at one of two partner institutions; Haskell Indians Nations University (based in Lawrence, KS) and Kansas City Kansas Community College.

Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents with no more than 2 years of postdoctoral training at the time of their appointment to the program. We strongly encourage applicants to identify a research mentor prior to applying (see links above), and the program directors can assist in this process. We have 3 open positions, each of which can be supported for up to 3 years. The anticipated start date is 5 January 2026 (but this is very flexible, particularly for candidates who wish to begin sooner).

Job Description

• 75% - Carry out primary, NIGMS-relevant research in a supportive, mentored environment. Projects will vary depending on the research group the successful candidate joins. Candidates will learn both domain-specific and general research skills, and will be expected to present research at conferences/symposia and in publications.
• 25% - Successful candidates will take part in various training workshops to enhance their skills, observe instructors as they teach classes, and - later during the scholarship - serve as instructor-of-record for undergraduate, STEM-related courses.

Required Qualifications

1. A PhD in biology, chemistry, or a related discipline.
2. A first-author publication/preprint that shows your ability to initiate and execute a research project, as evidenced by application materials.
3. Demonstrated interest in a postdoctoral experience that will combine research and teaching/education, as evidenced by application materials.
4. Excellent communications skills, as evidenced by application materials.

NOTE: To be appointed at the Postdoctoral Researcher title, it is necessary to have the PhD in hand. Appointments made without a diploma or certified transcript indicating an earned doctorate are conditional hires and are appointed on an acting basis not to exceed 6-months.

Additional Candidate Instruction

A complete online application will include the following:

1. A CV/resume
2. a description of your PhD research (2 pages maximum)
3. a description of your proposed research project at KU (1 page maximum)
4. a document that describes your academic career goals/interests, and that describes your interests in a career that integrates research and teaching (1 page maximum)
5. contact information for 3 academic references.

We strongly recommend applicants confirm a research mentor ahead of applying. In this case, 1 of the 3 referees should be the proposed mentor. (When obtaining reference letters on your behalf we will request that this individual confirm their interest in mentoring an IRACDA scholar, ask that they describe their current/past mentoring activities, and describe their active/pending funding.)
We will also accept applications from individuals who have yet to confirm a research mentor. In this instance, we request candidates provide the names of 2-4 potential mentors, and - following submission of the application - the KU IRACDA program directors will have these individuals review candidate application materials.

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review begins Monday September 8, 2025, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants are identified.

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or using the Title IX online report form and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or using the Title IX online complaint form.