Job Description

Biologist (Postdoctoral Research Fellow), IS-0430-11

Application Deadline: 27 November 2026

Department: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Panama City (Ciudad de Panamá), Panama

Compensation: $63,795 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: October 30, 2026

CLOSING DATE: November 27,2026

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary, 1 year, 11 months, and 18 days.

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: Panama City, 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.

The Gulf of Panama holds one of the most productive seasonal upwelling systems in the tropical Americas, and it sustains the country's small pelagic fishery. In 2025 the upwelling failed for the first time in the instrumental record. In 2026 it returned strongly, and the Gulf now shows signs of a developing El Niño. The Isthmus also offers a sharp contrast between the upwelling Pacific and the non-upwelling Caribbean, long-term physical and biological records on both coasts, and new monitoring now coming online.

This postdoctoral position is part of STRI's land-ocean observing program on the Isthmus of Panama, funded by the Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Research. The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will conduct original research on ocean dynamics and marine ecosystems in their own area of specialization, publish in peer-reviewed journals, contribute to the design of STRI's marine monitoring program, guide students and technicians on sampling and data management, and share research datasets. We welcome applicants from a broad range of fields, including physical and coastal oceanography, marine biogeochemistry, plankton and fisheries ecology, climate science, and the study of how people depend on tropical seas.

We are particularly interested in applicants with experience analyzing environmental, oceanographic or ecological data (using R, Python, MATLAB or similar), with fieldwork or field instrumentation, and with a record of publishing appropriate to their career stage. Spanish, or the willingness to learn, is an advantage. The fellow will join a team in Panama that includes marine monitoring staff, a research technician, a research aide, postdoctoral colleagues and students, and will collaborate with partners at the Max Planck Institutes and other national and international institutions.

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.
• Conducts original data-driven research on ocean dynamics and marine ecosystems of the Isthmus of Panama, analyzes data, and leads the writing and submission of peer-reviewed papers within the term of the appointment.
• Contributes to the design of STRI's marine observing programme, including the sampling plan for the Gulf of Panama, in collaboration with the marine monitoring staff.
• Provides scientific direction to the marine research technician and research aide on sampling, quality control and data management, and mentors interns and students.
• Develops documented, quality-controlled data products from the monitoring records and deposits them in public repositories.
• Contributes to proposals that will sustain and expand the programme, including applications to external funders and liaising with donors.
• Collaborates with STRI staff, partner institutions and Panamanian agencies, presents research findings at scientific conferences, and contributes to outreach and communications.
• 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.
• Professional knowledge and experience in oceanography, marine biogeochemistry, marine ecology, fisheries science, climate science, or a related quantitative discipline.
• Professional training and experience in the analysis of environmental time series and sampling design.
• Demonstrated ability to publish novel scientific findings in impactful peer-reviewed journals.
• Ph.D. in a relevant field by the time of appointment.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Basic Spanish language proficiency or willingness to learn Spanish.

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 IS-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