Peter Buck Deep Time Postdoctoral Fellowship- Smithsonian

Department of Paleobiology, MRC-121
National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institution, PO Box 37012
Washington D.C. 20013-7012, U.S.A.

Closing Date: January 15, 2017

Applications are invited for a two-year Research Fellowship (postdoctoral) in Paleobiology relating to the goals of the Deep Time Initiative at the National Museum of Natural History.  This fellowship involves 75% time commitment to research and 25% time commitment toward advancing science education at NMNH through direct interaction with our public. The appointment provides stipend ($48 K/yr), a research/travel allowance ($4 K/yr), support for health insurance ($2K/yr), and a one-time relocation allowance ($1K). The successful applicant will be expected to conduct independent research through the study of systematics, paleoecology, functional biology, field investigations, etc., and involving NMNH collections.  The awardee will be expected to be involved in the scholarly activities of the department and public outreach in the museum.  Priority will be given to proposals that: 1) involve research related to Deep Time over-arching themes, 2) indicate a high standard of research productivity, creativity, and interactivity, 3) provide evidence of ability to communicate science to the public - orally, in writing, through social media, citizen science, etc.

The Deep Time (DT) initiative is focused on understanding connections between 4.6 billion years of environmental change, the diversity of life, and the future of our species on Earth. The four focal themes for our Deep Time research, exhibits, and outreach include: 1) evolution of organisms, 2) evolution of ecosystems, 3) earth processes, 4) connections among these forces including to our human past, present and future.  This is a critical time in the history of our planet because one increasingly abundant, heterotrophic species has become a global scale force of rapid environmental and biotic change.  Through understanding of the fossil and geological record, the Deep Time Initiative seeks to inform and inspire the global community about connections between the past, present, and future of life on Earth and help create citizens for a changing planet.

Note: Applications are welcome for research specialists in all types of fossil organisms, especially dinosaurs and marine macro-invertebrates because of their important roles in the new exhibit and in educational programming.

Information about the Paleobiology Department and the Evolution of Terrestrial Ecosystems (ETE) Program can be found at http://paleobiology.si.edu/, http://naturalhistory.si.edu/ETE/ , the collections at http://collections.mnh.si.edu/search/paleo/, and the Deep Time exhibit renovation at http://www.mnh.si.edu/fossil-hall/

Applicants should have a proven record of research accomplishment and knowledge of the fossil record.  Starting dates for the fellowship are between May 1 and August 1, 2017, and all formal requirements for a Ph.D. must be completed before the end of this time interval. To apply, send: (1) curriculum vitae; (2) pdfs of recent publications (maximum of three); (3) proposed research for the two-year interval (up to 5 double-spaced pages, including figures, 11 point type); (4) a 1-page teaching and outreach statement of accomplishments and interests, and (5) two letters of reference submitted separately by the referees.

All application materials should be submitted to Dr. Brian Huber, huberb@si.edu, in pdf format by 15 January, 2017.  Questions regarding the fellowship should be emailed to Dr. Anna K. Behrensmeyer, behrensa@si.edu or Dr. Brian Huber, huberb@si.edu.

Note that this Deep Time Fellowship call is separate from the Smithsonian's regular Fellowship Program (http://www.smithsonianofi.com/fellowship-opportunities/smithsonian-institution-fellowship-program/), which has a fixed deadline of December 1 and is 100% research.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology & Paleobotany, and Assistant Professor in Geological Sciences

The University of Colorado Museum of Natural History and Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder invite applications for a tenure-track appointment as Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology & Paleobotany and Assistant Professor of Geological Sciences. We seek a scientist who will conduct field and collection-based research in one or more of the following areas: evolutionary studies, systematics, organismal paleobiology, paleoecology, taphonomy, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction. The Museum's Invertebrate Paleontology and Paleobotany collections house approximately 200,000 catalogued specimens, with strengths in Cenozoic terrestrial arthropods (and associated plants), as well as marine invertebrates and foraminiferans from the Western Interior Seaway. Most holdings are from the Rocky Mountain region, but the collection includes other US and international materials. 
Primary responsibilities will be to develop a research program at the forefront of paleontology; to curate, develop and increase the visibility of the Museum's Invertebrate Paleontology and Paleobotany collections, including their digital assets; and to teach in the Museum and Field Studies Graduate Program and the Department of Geological Sciences.

Applicants must have a doctoral degree in geology, biology, paleontology, or a related field, and express a commitment to research, curation, teaching, and mentoring. The successful candidate should complement existing expertise in paleontology and related fields in the Department of Geological Sciences. Application materials must be submitted electronically at https://www.cu.edu/cu-careers, job posting 07197. To apply, please collate the following into a single PDF file: cover letter, curriculum vita, proof of degree, names and addresses of four references, a statement of research that clearly outlines to non-specialists how the applicant's research contributes to the most important scientific problems in his/her discipline; a statement of teaching experience and philosophy; a statement of curatorial experience and vision; and representative publications. 

For full consideration, please apply by November 30, 2016. The search is open until filled. Direct questions to Paleosearch@colorado.edu. The University of Colorado is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.