The Deep Time Peter Buck Fellowship will be accepting applications in early 2025.
Opening Date: January 24, 2025
Closing Date: March 14, 2025
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 a commitment to original research and to pursuing opportunities for science communication via public education and outreach. The appointment provides stipend ($62,000/yr), research/travel allowance ($5K/yr), health insurance ($5K/yr), and one-time relocation allowance (up to $1K).
The successful applicant will be expected to conduct independent research in paleobiology, take part in various scholarly activities of the museum, and become involved in communicating about research via outreach and education focused on enhancing NMNH visitor and volunteer experiences. Research in any aspect of paleobiology will be considered, however, priority will be given to applications that: 1) propose innovative research on a collections-based, exciting topic in paleobiology, 2) indicate a high standard of research productivity, creativity, and interactivity, 3) have interest and experience in communicating about science using a variety of public engagement and educational strategies.
The Deep Time (DT) initiative is focused on understanding connections across 4.6 billion years of environmental change, the diversity of life, and the future of our species on Earth. The four focal themes are: 1) evolution of organisms, 2) evolution of ecosystems, 3) earth processes, 4) connections among these and our human past, present and future. The Deep Time Initiative seeks to inform and inspire the global community about the importance of fossils and the history of life, and to help educate citizens for a changing planet. The Deep Time Peter Buck Fellow will join a diverse intellectual community at NMNH that includes two other Deep Time Peter Buck Fellows and a large group of pre- and postdoctoral fellows supported by the centralized Smithsonian Fellowship Program (SIFP). Many of these fellows voluntarily contribute their expertise to enhance visitor experiences in the NMNH exhibitions in addition to doing original scientific research.
Preferred starting dates for the fellowship are between September 1 and November 30, 2025. All formal requirements for a Ph.D. must be completed before the beginning of the fellowship. To apply, see instructions below and on the SOLAA website https://solaa.si.edu.
Required documents are (PDF):
1) curriculum vitae;
2) proposed research for the two-year interval (up to 5 double-spaced pages, 11 point type), including title, abstract, and figures; list of cited references may be on a separate page;
3) a 1-page statement of interests and accomplishments in communicating about science using a variety of public engagement and educational strategies,
4) a budget for research/travel allowance
5) pdf copies of recent publications (maximum of three); and
6) contact information for three referees who could provide letters of reference should an applicant be chosen for the next stage of the selection process.
All application materials should be submitted to the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointments website (SOLAA) by midnight (EST) on March 14, 2025. Please follow directions for setting up an account under the “Start an Application” (orange button on top right of home page), designating the program as Deep Time Peter Buck Fellowship. The program website is: https://fellowships.si.edu/opportunity/deep-time-peter-buck-postdoctoral-fellowship-program.
Questions regarding the fellowship and the application process can be emailed to Dr. Huber, huberb@si.edu, or Dr. Anna K. Behrensmeyer, behrensa@si.edu. Interviews and the decision about the next Deep Time Peter Buck Fellow are expected to occur in April 2025.
More information:
Paleobiology Department: http://paleobiology.si.edu/ Research and Collections: https://naturalhistory.si.edu/research
Deep Time Exhibition: https://naturalhistory.si.edu/exhibits/david-h-koch-hall-fossils-deep-time
Deep Time Virtual Tour: https://naturalhistory2.si.edu/vt3/NMNH/
NMNH Office of Education: https://naturalhistory.si.edu/education Additional details are available upon request.
Note that this Deep Time Fellowship application cycle is separate from the Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program, which has an annual deadline of October 15.
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer.