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Smithsonian Biodiversity Genomics Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

Application will open in August 2024

Deadline: October 15, 2024 11:59 PM EST

The Smithsonian Institution (SI) Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biodiversity Genomics promotes collaborative research in these fields involving comparative genomic approaches such as phylogenomics, population genomics, metagenomics or transcriptomics, and have a component that involves significant bioinformatics analysis.  

Applicants must propose to conduct research in-residence for a period of 12 to 24 months. Applicants must have completed or be near completion of the Ph.D. Recipients who have not completed the Ph.D. at the time of application must provide proof of completion of the degree before the fellowship begins. Applicants interested in conducting research at these facilities are strongly encouraged to contact potential advisors/hosts at any of the Smithsonian’s various Museums and Research Institutes prior to proposal preparation and submission.

You must identify a member of the Smithsonian’s research staff who might serve as your principal advisor/host. Also identify potential co-advisor(s) and/or consultant(s) if applicable (consultants must be Smithsonian affiliated research staff). The publication, Smithsonian Opportunities for Research and Study contains the necessary information on staff research specialties and current departmental interests to help you determine which staff members are best suited to your research needs. The Smithsonian’s molecular research facilities are located at National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), National Zoological Park (NZP), Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC), and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in the Republic of Panama. Collaboration among SI facilities is encouraged. Research staff may be named by applicants to serve as principal advisors, co-advisors or consultants. Affiliated research staff may be named as co-advisors or consultants if they will be in residence during at least a portion of the tenure period proposed. You are strongly encouraged to correspond with your proposed advisor(s) as you prepare your proposal.

The stipend for Postdoctoral and Senior Fellows is $62,000 per year (twelve months). Stipends are prorated for periods of less than twelve months.

In addition to the stipend, allowances to assist with the fellow’s research related expenses and for temporary relocation to the Smithsonian are possible. A maximum research allowance of $5,000 is available. The amount awarded will be determined based upon the budget and justification presented by the applicant. The budget for the research allowance should not include costs for relocation to the Smithsonian, which is awarded separately. The Office of Academic Appointments and Internships cannot provide funds for the travel or living expenses of dependents. All funds provided under Smithsonian fellowships, including stipends and research and travel allowances, are subject to tax.

Criteria for Selection Applications are evaluated and fellows are selected, by scholars in appropriate fields, on the basis of the proposal’s merit, the applicant’s ability to carry out the proposed research and study, the likelihood that the research could be completed in the requested time, demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion, and the extent to which the Smithsonian, through its research staff members and resources, could contribute to the research and professional goals of the fellow. The number of appointments made each year is determined by the availability of funds for the program.

All applications must be submitted by October 15, 2024 11:59 PM EST through SOLAA. Notification of decisions will be made early March.

 

How to Apply

You first need to create an account in SOLAA and then you will be able to apply. Applications for the Smithsonian Biodiversity Genomics Postdoctoral Fellowship Program are not listed under the museum, research facility or office in which the applicant proposes to conduct research. Applicants need to select the 2024 Smithsonian Biodiversity Genomics Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (BioG) found under the Office of Academic Appointments and Internships in SOLAA.  You may search “BioG” in the program name field.

 

INSTRUCTIONS for APPLICATION MATERIALS

Apply Through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA)

Complete general information in SOLAA

Application Materials (for upload):

The SOLAA application will allow you to upload the following files types (there is a 3MB limit and only the following types of documents are supported: .bmp, .doc, .docx, .gif, .jpeg, .jpg, .pdf, .png, .rtf, .tif, .tiff, .txt, .xls, and .xlsx):

Abstract

  • No more than one (1) page, double spaced.

Research Proposal

  • The full statement of your research you plan to undertake at the Smithsonian.
  • The full statement of your research. NOT MORE than 6 pages, double spaced. Approximately 8 1/2 by 11 inches (210 mm x 297 mm) with 1" margins. Do not use type smaller than 11 point.

In preparing your proposal, be sure to provide and address the following:

  • A description of the research you plan to undertake at the Smithsonian Institution, including the methodology to be utilized.
  • The importance of the work, both in relation to the broader discipline and to your own scholarly goals.
  • Justification for conducting your research at the Smithsonian and utilization of research facilities and resources.
  • Identification of the member of the Smithsonian’s research staff who might serve as your principal advisor/host. Also identify potential co-advisor(s) and/or consultant(s) if applicable. The publication, Smithsonian Opportunities for Research and Study, contains the necessary information on staff research specialties and current departmental interests to help you determine which staff members are best suited to your research needs. Research staff may be named by applicants to serve as principal advisors, co-advisors or consultants. Affiliated research staff may be named as co-advisors or consultants if they will be in residence during at least a portion of the tenure period proposed. You are strongly encouraged to correspond with your proposed advisor(s) as you prepare your proposal.

Timeline 

  • Estimate of time period for each phase of the research proposed for the full time period (regardless of one or two years).

Diversity Statement 

  • Please address - How your perspective, experience, and/or project contribute to a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable discipline.
  • No more than one (1) page, double spaced.

Budget and Justification

  • Budget and justification for equipment, supplies, research-related travel costs, and other support required to conduct the research itself (excluding stipend and relocation costs). You may not include funding to do any direct hires. You are encouraged to discuss potential research costs with your proposed advisor(s) before submitting your application. 
  • If the funds required to support the research exceed the maximum research allowance of $5,000 per year, please explain the source of additional funds.
  • Applicants for graduate student fellowships are not eligible for research and research travel allowances, and should not submit budget justifications.

Bibliography

  • Bibliography of literature relevant to the applicant’s proposed research.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

  • Please provide a current CV (please limit to 4 pages maximum).
  • Including previous and current fellowships, grants, and/or awards.
  • If English is not your native language, describe the level of your proficiency in reading, conversing, and writing in English.

Transcripts (unofficial are acceptable) (you may upload up to three 3MB files)

  • Applicants for postdoctoral fellowships need only submit graduate transcripts.
  • If transcripts or other materials are not in English the applicant should provide translations.

References – from two appropriate persons selected by you.

  • Names and email addresses of two persons familiar with your work. Please, do not use your proposed Smithsonian advisor(s) or consultant(s) as your referees.
  • All reference letters are considered confidential unless confidentiality has been waived by the referee.
  • Provide a copy of your proposal and a copy of Letter to Referee (downloadable pdf) to your referees.
  • Through SOLAA you will send an email from the system to these referees so they can provide references through the SOLAA system. Please note: referees will not be able to view your application and you may send the request any time prior to submission. They will still be able to submit their reference before or after you submit your application.
  • Referees are encouraged to submit references no later than the application due date. However, references can be submitted after the deadline and but there is no guarantee it will be included once the review process begins.
  • Applicant’s can check their SOLAA application to determine if letters of recommendation have been submitted or not. Applicants are encouraged to follow-up with referees who have not yet submitted.

If you have any questions please contact the Office of Academic Appointments and Internships at  FellowsSI@si.edu .

Apply through SOLAA  

As part of its mandate for “the increase and diffusion of knowledge,” including the diverse ideas, skills, and cultures of our nation, the Smithsonian Institution pursues policies of equal opportunity and cultural diversity. The Smithsonian Fellowship program does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, gender stereotyping, pregnancy, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, parental status, or marital status.

No employee or contractor of the Smithsonian Institution may hold a Smithsonian fellowship during the time of his/her employment or contract, nor may an award be offered to any person who has been employed by or under contract to the Institution in the previous year, without the prior approval of the Office of Academic Appointments and Fellowships.

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