Job Description
Geologist (Postdoctoral Research Fellow) and/or Biologist (Postdoctoral Research Fellow), IS-1350/0401-11
Application Deadline: 30 July 2026
Department: National Museum of Natural History
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Washington, DC
Compensation: $85,447 / year
OPEN DATE: July 9, 2026
CLOSING DATE: July 30, 2026
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not-To-Exceed (NTE) 2 Years
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: IS-11
SALARY RANGE: $85,447.00 to $85,447.00
The salary range listed above reflects the Museum's authorized salary range for this position.
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk
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.
- Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
- The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
- Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
- Applicants who are actively pursuing their doctoral degree must provide their official transcript as proof of the degree confirmation before an entry on-duty date.
Come join a dedicated and creative team at an exceptional time for the Smithsonian, an institution with a bold vision for the future: to build a better tomorrow for all. The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is part of the Smithsonian’s unique complex and is one of the most visited museums in the United States. Its mission is to promote understanding of the natural world and our place in it. NMNH has a collection of 148 million specimens and artifacts. Each one reflects a moment in space and time and in these moments, we find Earth’s story.
The National Museum of Natural History, Department of Paleobiology invites applications for two (2) positions of Geologist (Postdoctoral Research Fellow) and/or Biologist (Postdoctoral Research Fellow). Up to one position will be selected in each of the following research areas: (1) pachycephalosaurian dinosaurs; and (2) ankylosaurian dinosaurs. Both positions will focus on undescribed specimens in the NMNH collections in order to understand the anatomy and systematics of these animals and their relatives, as well as key unresolved issues concerning their ontogeny, functional morphology, and paleobiology.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Independently and collaboratively conducts research in area of specialization: position (1) will focus on pachycephalosaur fossils, and position (2) will focus on ankylosaur fossils.
- Uses various techniques in comparative anatomy, systematics, morphometrics, and related fields to perform appropriate descriptive and analytical work on relevant fossil specimens
- Obtains, uses, and interprets data from CT and/or related visualization techniques to compare, describe, and illustrate anatomy of fossil specimens.
- Writes collaborative scholarly reports and publishable scientific papers, and gives oral presentations on the results of the research.
- Serves as a consultant and advisor on professional matters in this area to colleagues, Federal agencies, institutions, organizations, and the general public.
- Prepares and submits grant proposals. Reviews research proposals, manuscripts, and publications as requested by scientific colleagues and outside institutions. Participates in national and international scientific conferences, seminars and societies.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Education and Experience: To qualify for this position, candidates must demonstrate the experience outlined below and possess three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree related to the position or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge and experience required for this position is as follows:
- Professional knowledge of a wide range of concepts, principles, and theories of the biological and/or physical sciences in the field(s) of biology, ecology, geology, paleontology, zoology, or other related discipline.
- Professional knowledge and experience in a field directly relevant to the research areas (such as descriptive and comparative anatomy, systematics, and/or paleobiology) as well as specific experience working with pachycephalosaurs, ankylosaurs, or closely related dinosaur groups.
- Experience in the safe handling and study of fossil vertebrate specimens.
- Knowledge and experience in computerized statistical analysis of complex data, including ontogenetic phylogenetic, and/or morphometric techniques. Experience working with CT data is preferred.
- Knowledge and expertise in publishing and giving oral presentations of complex scientific results.
- Working knowledge of scientific literature in area of expertise.
Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
To Apply:
Interested candidates should submit the following: (1) a cover letter that includes a statement expressing their interest and applicability for the position, including a 2-year research plan; (2) their resume or curriculum vitae (CVs) (annotated as explained below); and (3) school transcripts (as noted below). Other qualifications relevant to the position should be documented in the resume or CV.
Resumes or Curriculum Vitae (CVs) should include a of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); average number of hours worked per week; a full list of publications; and names and contact information for three referees.
Unofficial school transcripts (undergraduate and graduate) must be submitted with your application package by the closing date of the announcement. If selected for the position, you must provide official transcripts before appointment.
Applicants who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States must have their education deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
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.
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
