About the Department:

The Department of Social Work is dedicated to advancing holistic human health and well-being by engaging with diverse populations across various systems and throughout the life course. Our internationally recognized faculty bring research expertise in key areas such as substance use, mental health, sexual health, violence prevention, gerontology, family functioning, and child development. The department has a long-standing tradition of faculty-student-community research collaborations that strengthen both social work education and practice. The department is at the forefront of research and training the next generation of social workers using evidence-based practices and leveraging cutting-edge methodologies, including digital technology, computing techniques, creative arts, and trauma-informed holistic approaches to promote community-engaged research and interventions. The department has a strong culture of research collaboration among faculty members within the department and across the College of Public Health.

Offering both BSW and MSW programs, including a fully online MSW option, our curriculum is rooted in social justice, and it provides students with foundational social work knowledge. We emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and preparedness for diverse roles in clinical, organizational, and community settings. Situated within the College of Public Health, our students benefit from unique interprofessional and interdisciplinary opportunities, which deepen their understanding of the root causes of social issues and help shape their career trajectories. Students gain valuable hands-on experience through partnerships with over 300 practicum sites across the nation and are invited to collaborate with faculty on impactful research through initiatives like the Social Work integrative Research Lab (SWiRL). Located in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, the department offers an ideal environment to engage with diverse populations and to influence social change at the local, regional, and national levels. Further information about the department may be found at https://socialwork.gmu.edu.

About the Position:

The Social Work Postdoctoral Research Fellow will gain research experience related to issues of interpersonal violence, with a focus on under-recognized victims and applications of technology for prevention and intervention. The Postdoctoral Fellow will be funded by the Enochs Endowment and will assist with the administration of the Enochs Interpersonal Violence Research Collaborative, as well as participate in its monthly meetings and larger convenings.

In addition, the Postdoctoral Fellow will have the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of research projects, which may include previously-collected data of men's victimization within the United States and across several countries, data collected on sexual and gender minorities' victimization, an upcoming study on the use of virtual reality for interprofessional training in intimate partner violence response and intervention, and other projects according to the position holder's interests. Responsibilities vary for each project but could include data collection, data management, data analysis, and contributing to the production of deliverables, including grant reports, training programs, manuscripts for publications, and conference presentations. As part of these projects, the Postdoctoral Fellow will collaborate with the relevant faculty team(s), and will also help with mentoring and oversight of Masters-level and Bachelors-level research assistants.

Additionally, the Postdoctoral Fellow will receive various career development and mentorship opportunities, including, but not limited to, submission of peer-reviewed articles, training in statistical and qualitative data analyses, dissemination and translation of findings to diverse audiences, and development of grant proposals.

The position will begin on August 15, 2026.

Responsibilities:

Research:

• Contribute to research projects and research functions of the various interpersonal violence research projects, such as data collection, data analysis, manuscript preparation, conference presentations, and other deliverables.

Required Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in a related field; Ph.D. expected at the time of appointment (or other doctoral degree) in social work, psychology, sociology, criminology or criminal justice, public health, or a related discipline;
• Experience in interpersonal violence research;
• Background in qualitative data analysis;
• Experience working on a research team;
• A solid understanding of interpersonal violence research;
• Advanced data analysis skills to be used with both quantitative and qualitative data sets;
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills; and
• Proficient in relevant data analysis software (e.g., SPSS, R, NVivo, Dedoose, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in producing scholarly research (manuscripts for publication, conference presentations);
• Experience with surveying software, such as Qualtrics; and
• Experience leading or managing research teams.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Social Work Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Interpersonal Violence (Req #10003994) at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, one of which should be a most recent supervisor, and provide a detailed letter of application and CV. 

Posting Open Date:  April 17, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  May 1, 2026

Open Until Filled:  Yes