Geologist (Postdoctoral Research Fellow) and/or Biologist (Postdoctoral Research Fellow),...

Job Description

Job Description

Description

OPEN DATE: 10/12/2026               

CLOSING DATE: 11/09/2026           

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not-To-Exceed (NTE) 2 Years

PROMOTION POTENTIAL: IS-11

SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Open to all qualified applicants

 
What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care). 

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
• Complete a Probationary Period.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.  Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 
• Applicants who are actively pursuing their doctoral degree must provide their official transcript as proof of the degree confirmation before an entry on-duty date.

Come join a dedicated and creative team at an exceptional time for the Smithsonian, an institution with a bold vision for the future: to build a better tomorrow for all. The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is part of the Smithsonian’s unique complex and is one of the most visited museums in the United States. Its mission is to promote understanding of the natural world and our place in it. NMNH has a collection of 148 million specimens and artifacts. Each one reflects a moment in space and time and in these moments, we find Earth’s story. 

 

The National Museum of Natural History, Department of Paleobiology invites applications for a position of Geologist (Postdoctoral Research Fellow) or Biologist (Postdoctoral Research Fellow). Position will perform research on an NSF-funded project to investigate the evolutionary consequences of asexual reproduction in cytheroid ostracodes.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Works independently and collaboratively to collect morphological and occurrence data from cytheroid ostracodes from NMNH and other fossil collections. 
• Works independently and collaboratively to analyze these data to test if morphological evolution and extinction risk differ by reproductive mode. 
• Writes collaborative scholarly reports and publishable scientific papers, and gives oral presentations on the results of the research. 
• Serves as a consultant and advisor on professional matters in this area to colleagues, Federal agencies, institutions, organizations, and the general public. 
• Reviews research proposals, manuscripts, and publications as requested by scientific colleagues and outside institutions. Participates in national and international scientific conferences, seminars and societies.

Education and Experience: To qualify for this position, candidates must demonstrate the experience outlined below and possess three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree related to the position or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Knowledge and experience required for this position is as follows: 

• Professional knowledge of a wide range of concepts, principles, and theories of the biological and/or physical sciences in the field(s) of biology, ecology, geology, paleontology, zoology, or other related discipline. 
• Professional knowledge and experience in a field directly relevant to the research areas (such as ostracode morphology and analysis of morphometric, paleoecological, or evolutionary data). 
• Experience in the safe handling and study of fossil invertebrate specimens. 
• Knowledge and expertise in publishing and giving oral presentations of complex scientific results. 
• Working knowledge of the scientific literature in area of research. 
• Knowledge and experience in computerized statistical analysis of complex data. 

Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery." 

To Apply:  

Interested candidates MUST submit their resume and cover letter by the closing date. Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.  

 
(If applicable include) Unofficial school transcripts (undergraduate and graduate) must be submitted with your application package by the closing date of the announcement.  If selected for the position, you must provide official transcripts before appointment. 

Applicants who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States MUST have their education deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and MUST be included as part of your application package. 

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins. 

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager. 

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

 
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact View email address on ziprecruiter.com. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures: Individuals with Disabilities | Smithsonian Institution (-disabilities). 

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer . To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: Office of Equal Opportunity | Smithsonian Institution (