Two-Year Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

Bio-Strategies & Leadership (BSL) (victory.stanford.edu) is a multidisciplinary team whose mission is to empower leaders to make good decisions involving biotechnology soon enough to matter. We are seeking two full-time Postdoctoral Research Fellows who will:

• Conduct high-impact research that aligns with BSL’s mission;
• Propose and pursue independent research projects in consultation with BSL leadership;
• Publish one or more scholarly reports, white papers, or policy briefs each year;
• Contribute to BSL’s intellectual community, broader mission, and to the intellectual life of the Hoover Institution and Stanford University;
• Grow as a scholar and leader; we have created and are supporting these positions in part to enable unique individuals from any relevant or adjacent background to advance their careers as impactful and conscientious leaders.

There are no formal teaching responsibilities associated with this position; opportunities to contribute to teaching and learning are abundant. Appointments will be for a two-year term with the second year renewable upon satisfactory completion of the first year.

About BSL

Inspired by the promise and perils of biology and biotechnology, the Hoover Institution launched BSL in 2024. BSL strives to ensure that the United States and its allies understand biology as a strategic domain and act accordingly. BSL products are designed to help leaders realize flourishing and democratic futures. Ongoing work is focused on biotechnology innovation, economic and technical competitiveness, national security, biosecurity, and advancing biotechnology in ways that strengthen freedom and democracy.

BSL conducts and publishes research on biosecurity, biomanufacturing, and future-focused biotechnology applications; educates targeted stakeholders and decision makers on the importance of biology for a secure and prosperous future; and creates opportunities to translate research into actionable policy, helping leaders realize flourishing and democratic futures in line with Hoover’s mission to generate ideas that advance freedom.

BSL’s scholarship further aims to shape how the United States and its allies approach biotechnology as an opportunity and a strategic imperative. BSL’s education bridges the gap between scientific innovation and public understanding, turning biotechnology novices (“prebiotics”) into biotechnology leaders (“probiotics”).

What We Offer

Our team offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with Stanford University and Hoover Institution scholars, and to publish unique research with policy impact. The Hoover Library and Archives affords Fellows access to the greatest private archive collections in the United States. With nearly one million volumes and more than six thousand archival collections from 171 countries, the Hoover Library and Archives is a national and international center for primary-source documentation and research on problems of political, economic, and social change. Access to Stanford University resources include supercomputing clusters and other research tools, as well as a vibrant and diverse biotechnology research ecosystem.

Core Responsibilities

Research: Undertake independent research on biology, biotechnology, biosecurity, biomanufacturing, technology and democracy, or related topics. Fellows will be asked to describe their initial proposed research agenda as part of the application.
Publication and Communication: Author or co-author one or more scholarly reports, white papers, or policy briefs during each year of the fellowship. Present research findings to stakeholders at relevant meetings, conferences, and gatherings.
Collaboration: Collaborate on research with other members of the BSL team, and participate in team activities and meetings as appropriate and available.
Mentorship: Support student research assistants involved in BSL projects and publications.

Requirements

We welcome best-in-class applicants with a Ph.D. from all backgrounds (e.g. humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering), including: economics, international relations, political science, public policy, political theory, foreign policy, national security, global health, environmental science, China, India, synthetic biology, bioengineering, biology, genomics, machine learning, computer science, biostatistics, chemical engineering, or another relevant field by the position start date.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to publish research in academic journals and to present research findings to a variety of audiences.
Proven ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-oriented, interdisciplinary environment.
Self-motivated and independent, with a strong work ethic and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
A passion for translating research into meaningful policy change.

Additional Details

The expected pay range for this position is $85,000 to $125,000 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

The worksite is the Stanford University campus but could be hybrid for the right candidate.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis with the goal of onboarding fellows in the late summer or fall.

To apply, please submit:

A curriculum vitae
A cover letter
One or more recent publications, working papers, or other writing samples
Two references (please do not send letters of recommendation at this time)

Please direct questions to Sarah Moront, Senior Research Program Manager, at smoront@stanford.edu.

The Hoover Institution is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.