Job Description

Biologist (Postdoctoral Research Fellow), IS-0401-11

Application Deadline: 4 December 2026

Department: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Panama City (Ciudad de Panamá), Panama

Reporting To: Research Ecologist

Compensation: $63,795 - $78,684 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: November 9, 2026

CLOSING DATE: December 4, 2026

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary, not to exceed two years, with the possibility of extension contingent of availability of funds.

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: Republic of Panama

Position sensitivity and risk:

Non-Sensitive/ Low Risk Position

Who May Apply:

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.
• Must maintain a bank account for direct deposit/electronic transfer in the United States if they are U.S. citizens, or in Panama if they are third-country nationals assigned to the duty station.
• Applications are invited from qualified candidates regardless of nationality.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 60 days of the closing date of this announcement.
• Official transcripts confirming completion of the PhD must be submitted prior to issuance of a final offer.

OVERVIEW

The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute was founded with the purpose of increasing and sharing knowledge about the past, present and future of tropical ecosystems and their relevance to human welfare. This work began in Panama in 1910, when the Smithsonian led one of the world’s first major environmental impact studies, which surveyed and catalogued the flora and fauna of the lowland tropical forests that would be flooded with the creation of the Panama Canal. A century later, the Smithsonian in Panama is a standard-setting global platform for groundbreaking research on tropical forests and marine ecosystems and their astounding biodiversity.

This two-year postdoctoral fellowship is based in Panama and supports interdisciplinary research on malaria resurgence in eastern Panama. The research integrates disease ecology, environmental and spatial data, and vector-parasite genomics to investigate factors influencing malaria transmission and support predictive approaches for identifying areas of increased risk.

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will conduct original research on malaria transmission and resurgence in eastern Panama by integrating environmental, ecological, spatial, and genomic data. The incumbent will analyze field observations, remote sensing data, and mosquito and parasite genomic information, applying statistical, spatial, and computational modeling techniques to investigate malaria transmission patterns. Responsibilities also include conducting fieldwork in Darién Province, collaborating with national and international research partners, analyzing and communicating scientific findings, and preparing research publications, presentations, and project reports.

The ideal candidate should have knowledge and experience in disease ecology, epidemiology, computational biology, genomics, bioinformatics, spatial modeling, GIS, remote sensing, or related quantitative biological disciplines. Advanced proficiency in statistical computing and scientific data analysis using R, Python, or similar tools is required, along with experience working with complex spatial, environmental, remote sensing, or genomic datasets. The candidate must also demonstrate the ability to interpret scientific literature, develop research approaches, analyze complex datasets, and effectively communicate scientific findings through publications and presentations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Independently conducts research and fieldwork in area of specialization. Research consists of systematically planned, original studies based on fieldwork in specialty area and other institutional and private collections worldwide, and synthesizing information from the literature. Designs and conducts field sampling to measure such variables as species composition and abundance, population size structure, and physiological condition of communities within the incumbent’s area of expertise. Conducts field and laboratory experiments to determine mechanisms regulating species composition, abundance, distribution, sizes, and physiological condition of biotic communities within the incumbent’s area of expertise.
• Uses various analytical chemistry, spectroscopic, and/or infrared analytical techniques to determine the chemical properties of organic materials found in museum objects to assist Smithsonian Institution researchers. These materials include museum objects, their deterioration products, and materials used in conservation treatments, exhibition, or storage.
• Analyzes data from sampling and experiments using computers with statistical and graphics software applying appropriate statistical tests and data reduction methods. Reviews background material submitted with samples, determines approaches to be used in analysis and devises modification in the method that is required to solve the analytical problems.
• Writes reports and publishable scientific papers, and gives oral presentations on the results of the sampling and experiments. Publishes scholarly reports of descriptive and/or theoretical nature based on the above. Publications are significant contributions of substantial scope within the physical, biological or social fields of science.
• Serves as a consultant and advisor on professional matters in this area to colleagues, Federal agencies, institutions, organizations, and the general public. Through fieldwork and acquisition of specimens participates in maintaining and improving the National Collections. Assists with guidance and teaching of students and technicians working on one or more research projects. May train staff members, interns, fellows, students, and visiting scholars in the theory and practical use of this specialized equipment as appropriate. Advises researchers in the interpretation of the obtained data and ensures safe and responsible work practices with such equipment. Prepares and submits grant proposals. Reviews research proposals, manuscripts, and publications as requested by scientific colleagues and outside institutions. Lectures to professional associations and other organizations. Attends and participates in national and international scientific conferences, seminars, and societies. Serves as a consultant and advisor on professional matters in this area to colleagues, Federal agencies, institutions, organizations, and the general public. Through fieldwork and acquisition of specimens participates in maintaining and improving the National Collections. Assists with guidance and teaching of students and technicians working on one or more research projects. May train staff members, interns, fellows, students, and visiting scholars in the theory and practical use of this specialized equipment as appropriate. Advises researchers in the interpretation of the obtained data and ensures safe and responsible work practices with such equipment.
• Prepares and submits grant proposals. Reviews research proposals, manuscripts, and publications as requested by scientific colleagues and outside institutions. Lectures to professional associations and other organizations. Attends and participates in national and international scientific conferences, seminars, and societies.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

The successful applicant should have:

• Professional knowledge of a wide range of concepts, principles, and theories of the biological, physical or social sciences in an appropriate field of anthropology, archaeology, chemistry, biology, botany, ecology, entomology, geology, zoology or other related discipline.
• Professional knowledge and experience in sampling and experimental design, as well as a broad analytical outlook based on wide knowledge of various systematic methodologies.
• Knowledge and experience in computerized statistical analysis of complex data.
• Knowledge and expertise in publishing and giving oral presentations of complex scientific results.
• Working knowledge of the scientific literature in area of expertise.
• Knowledge and expertise in population genomics & comparative genomics expertise (e.g., resequencing, introgression, demographic inference, coalescent methods).
• Data integration across heterogeneous datasets (genomic, metabolomic,
• spatial/environmental data)
• Collaboration and coordination across research teams (working closely with technicians, coordinating with PIs and collaborators across institutions).
• Advanced bioinformatics and pipeline development (handling large genomic datasets, reproducible workflows, HPC environments).
• PhD in evolutionary biology, ecology, plant biology, genomics, or a related field.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The position is primarily sedentary, requiring extended periods of sitting while performing data analysis, computational work, and preparation of scientific manuscripts. The incumbent must be able to use standard computer equipment for prolonged durations.

The position also requires the ability to work under standard laboratory conditions, including the safe handling of chemicals and biological materials in accordance with established safety protocols. fieldwork may be required in tropical forest environments.

This includes the ability to walk over uneven terrain, stand for extended periods, and tolerate exposure to heat, humidity, and outdoor conditions (may also involve exposure to insects, including mosquitoes and other biting species, as well as natural outdoor elements).

Travel between field sites and research facilities will be required and may include transportation by boat to access to research locations. .

This is a full-time, trust-funded position based in Panama. The appointment will be made at the GS-11 level in accordance with the 2026 U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) General Schedule (GS) Pay Table. This is a definite appointment for a period not to exceed two years, with the possibility of extension contingent on availability of funding.

To be considered for this position, applicants must submit the following documents as part of their application package: an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV), a Cover Letter, and a Statement of Research. In addition, candidates are required to provide contact information for three professional references and transcripts of completion of the PhD.

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 and committee.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact strisearch@si.edu. 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.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo