New

Research Scientist

George Washington University

United States, D.C., Washington

Nov 24, 2025

I. DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

Job Description Summary:	Founded by The George Washington University (GW) and renowned chef, humanitarian, and long-time GW instructor Jose Andres, the Global Food Institute ( GFI) at GW seeks to advance global food policy and address the world's most urgent problems by leveraging the power of food. The GFI works across four main pillars: research, education, exchange, and community & partnerships. The GFI is positioned to support cutting-edge research at GW to create and improve domestic and global food policies, incubate and engineer innovative new technologies with an entrepreneurial spirit, and lead critical conversations about the impact of food on humans and our planet. This position will be housed in the Global Food Institute. Powered by interdisciplinary research and teaching across policy, innovation, and humanity, the Global Food Institute at GW will work to transform people's lives and the health of our planet through food. Our research portfolio includes research that examines the food system from global, domestic, and local perspectives using multiple methods. THe GFI is seeking a Research Scientist and the position will report to Director of Research and Policy. The Research Scientist will conduct research on enhancing resilience in local food supply chains. Job duties include: Using extensive experience and judgment, this role will plan independent research, analyze and interpret data, publish results, represent the university at conferences and meetings, develop new theories and methodologies, and lead and direct the work of lower-level research staff, while transferring technical expertise. This position is responsible for planning, conducting, and supervising research at a high level, by designing and conducting experiments in multiple settings. Conduct research on strengthening local food systems with respect to crisis resilience, focusing in particular on school meals and agriculture. Facilitate the collection of expert and local views through a group facilitation process. The Research Scientist will spend time writing academic and non-academic outcomes of research in the form of multiple products per year. The Research Scientist will perform other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
Minimum Qualifications:	Qualified candidates will hold a Master's degree plus 5 years of experience or a PhD plus 2 years of experience in a related discipline to include at least 2 years of research and/or college level teaching in a field basic to the work to be performed. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position.
Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:	Experience working in systems science, systems thinking, systems engineering, or systems dynamic modeling. Comfortable interacting with stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. Ability to work independently, expected to perform work based on objectives. Ability to manage and execute highly complex or specialized projects or processes. Able to adapt precedent and make significant departures from traditional approaches to develop solutions to significantly complex problems. Experience working in Haiti or other developing contexts. Experience leading group modeling building activities in the context of research. Ability to write across audience types including both academic and non-academic personnel.
Hiring Range	$68,712.00 - $109,821.76
GW Staff Approach to Pay	How is pay for new employees determined at GW?

Healthcare Benefits

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.

II. POSITION INFORMATION

Campus Location:	Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.
College/School/Department:	Academic Affairs
Family	Research and Labs
Sub-Family	Field Research
Stream	Individual Contributor
Level	Level 4
Full-Time/Part-Time:	Full-Time
Hours Per Week:	40
Work Schedule:	Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm
Will this job require the employee to work on site?	Yes
Employee Onsite Status	On-campus (in person)
Telework:
Required Background Check	Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search
Special Instructions to Applicants:	This is a limited term appointment of 2 years at this time. This is a grant funded position. Continuation of the position is contingent on grant funding. Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status
Internal Applicants Only?	Yes (University Wide)
Posting Number:	R002355
Job Open Date:	11/24/2025
Job Close Date:	11/27/2025
Background Screening	Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.
EEO Statement:	The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.