Science & Research STEM OPT Jobs in West Virginia

The Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics in the School of Public Health at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Post Doctoral Fellow.

About the Opportunity

Contribute to a robust research agenda in the Gibbs Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior research lab that focuses on sedentary behavior and physical activity, cardiovascular disease prevention, maternal-fetal health, and rural populations. This postdoctoral scholar will work closely under the supervision of Dr. Bethany Barone Gibbs within ongoing projects spanning from 24-hour behavioral monitoring in multi-center observational cohorts to randomized clinical trials in office workers and pregnant women. Specific engagement across projects can be tailored to meet the applicant’s experience and desired training, and opportunities for conducting independent research, training, grant writing, as well as for collaborating on multi-scholar research initiatives are available. This position can start as early as August 2026 but will be recruiting until an excellent candidate is identified.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
• Wellness programs

• Lead components of ongoing extramurally-funded and pilot projects, including protocol design, project administration, and data collection, management, and data analysis
• Develop and disseminate scholarly research as peer-reviewed abstracts and manuscripts
• Participate as an active collaborator in grant writing for future projects and initiatives
• Present at select national scientific meetings
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students within the research lab
• Coordinate research seminars and journal clubs
• Assist in teaching classes

Qualifications

• A doctoral degree in epidemiology, public health, exercise science, or a related field.
• A minimum of two (2) years:
• Conducted independent statistical analyses of observational or experimental health-related data.
• Designed, conducted, and disseminated an independent research project in physical activity, cardiovascular, rural, or maternal-fetal health.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong data analytic skills, including knowledge of R or similar software
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills
• Scientific writing skills demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications
• Excellent project and time management skills
• Strong interpersonal and mentoring skills
• Experience and a research interest focused on 24-hr behavior, maternal-fetal health, rural health, and/or cardiovascular health.
• Familiarity in measurement and analytic methods (e.g., accelerometers and compositional data analysis) for sedentary behavior, physical activity, and 24-hr behavior across study designs.
• Clinical research skills such as experience in phlebotomy or measuring subclinical cardiovascular disease outcomes.
• Interest in translational research and public health practice (e.g., in rural populations).

About WVU

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values — service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation — unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.

Job Posting: Jul 30, 2026
Posting Classification: FE/AP
Exemption Status: Exempt
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Schedule: Full-time