Post Doctoral Fellow

Posting Summary

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Posting Number	RTF00059PO26
USC Market Title	Post Doctoral Fellow
Link to USC Market Title	https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/156387
Business Title (Internal Title)	Post Doctoral Fellow
Campus	Columbia
Work County	Richland
College/Division	College of Arts and Sciences
Department	CAS Psychology
Anticipated Hiring Range	$53,000
Location of Vacancy
Part/Full Time	Full Time
Hours per Week	40
Work Schedule	Standard schedule is Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with one hour for lunch. Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
Type of Staff Position	Staff Research Grant (SRGP)
Basis	12 months
Job Search Category	Post-doctoral

About USC

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Benefits for Research Grant or Time-Limited Positions Are Indicated Below

The University of South Carolina (UofSC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about UofSC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

South Carolina Retirement	Yes
State Insurance Programs	Yes
Annual Leave	Yes
Sick Leave	Yes

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary	The successful candidate will work closed with Dr. Zhiqiang Sha (https://shazhiqiang.wixsite.com/sha-lab) to investigate how genetic and environmental factors (e.g. early life stress) contribute to brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder. The lab assists postdoctoral researchers in applying for internal and external grants and provide structured mentorship tailored to each individual’s career goals. Our lab fosters a collaborative and productive environment, and we actively support postdocs in building their independent academic networks, generating high-quality research publications, and securing independent faculty positions.
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience	Requires a Doctoral (Ph.D.) degree in area of research specialty.
Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials
Preferred Qualifications	A PhD in neuroscience, bioinformatics, biomedical sciences, or psychology Strong programming skills
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities	Excellent communication skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment are also required.

Job Duties

Job Duty	The Postdoctoral Fellow will conduct advanced analyses of multimodal datasets, including neuroimaging, genomic, and behavioral data, to investigate mechanisms underlying brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders. Responsibilities include developing and implementing computational models, applying statistical and machine learning methods, and integrating data across modalities to generate novel scientific insights. The Postdoctoral Fellow will lead manuscript preparation, contribute to high-impact publications, and present findings at national and international scientific meetings.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	30

Job Duty	The Postdoctoral Fellow will support the Principal Investigator in the development of grant proposals by contributing to study design, preliminary data analysis, and the preparation of research narratives and supporting documents. The fellow will also be encouraged to develop independent research ideas and submit fellowship or career development grant applications with mentorship from the PI. This role provides opportunities to gain experience in grant writing and research program development to support the transition to an independent academic career.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	30

Job Duty	The Postdoctoral Fellow will oversee the management, organization, and quality control of large-scale research datasets, including neuroimaging, genetic, and clinical data. Responsibilities include maintaining structured databases, implementing data processing pipelines, and ensuring compliance with institutional policies for data security and research integrity. The Postdoctoral Fellow will also coordinate data sharing and documentation to support reproducible research practices within the lab and across collaborating institutions.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	20

Job Duty	The Postdoctoral Fellow will mentor graduate students, master’s students, and undergraduate research assistants involved in the laboratory’s research projects. Responsibilities include providing guidance on research design, data analysis, and scientific writing, as well as supporting trainees in developing independent research skills. The Postdoctoral Fellow will also contribute to fostering a collaborative and supportive research environment within the lab.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	20

Position Attributes

Hazardous weather category	Non-Essential
Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.	No

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies	1
Desired Start Date
Position End Date
Job Open Date	03/30/2026
Job Close Date	05/14/2026
Open Until Filled	No
Special Instructions to Applicant	Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.    We are only accepting applications submitted by May 14, 2026.
Quicklink for Posting	https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/204113
EEO Statement	The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.