Postdoctoral Fellow

Description:

NHMLAC’s Dinosaur Institute houses the Museum’s collection of Mesozoic tetrapods dating from 250–66 million years ago. This collection includes fossils of dinosaurs spanning the Mesozoic Era, as well as fossils of other tetrapods that lived alongside the dinosaurs, such as pterosaurs, marine reptiles, crocodiles, turtles, amphibians, and early mammals. The fossils in this collection have been acquired over nearly a century, and the collection continues to expand through an active domestic and international field program covering all Periods of the Mesozoic. The Dinosaur Institute staff provide mentorship for diverse groups including volunteers, docents, undergraduate/graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers. Additionally, educational outreach and public programming are key parts of the Institute’s mission. More information about the Dinosaur Institute and staff can be found here: https://nhm.org/site/research-collections/dinosaur-institute
Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:

• Develops novel research projects, collects and analyzes data, and writes manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications, under the supervision of Curator. Sets the direction of and leads one or more major research projects. Uses own judgment in determining project work, meeting established deadlines, and deciding what tools and resources to use and when to use them. Exercises independent judgment in the collection and analysis of data under the general direction of a curator or other staff.

• Develops and writes novel grant and external funding proposals, under the supervision of Curator.

• Assists in the preservation and cataloging of museum specimens and assists as needed with other curatorial efforts, under the supervision of the Collections Manager and/or Curator.

• Presents research results and project outcomes at various academic conferences and workshops

• Contributes to student, community scientist, docent, and volunteer mentoring/training.

• Participates in public education programs, demonstrations, and tours involving museum collections and behind-the-scenes spaces. Contributes to public communications, media interactions, and fundraising activities.

This position has the following requirements:

• Ph.D. in paleontology or a related field (candidates in the process of finishing their Ph.D. can also be considered).

• A proven record of original additions to knowledge or evaluation and synthesis of existing knowledge through the sustained production of books, monographs, peer-reviewed publications, or other peer-reviewed research activities.

• Professional affiliations with scholarly organizations.

• A broad-based knowledge of their academic field of study.

• Deep expertise in a particular area of their discipline, including the development of an active research program.

• Proficiency in the use of unique tools relevant to their discipline, including both laboratory/analytical equipment as well as computing resources and software.

• Experience using a personal computer and with MS Office and its Word, Excel and Outlook functions (PC and/or Macintosh).