Job Description

Research Zoologist (Curator of Fishes), IS-0410-12

Application Deadline: 2 June 2026

Department: National Museum of Natural History

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Compensation: $102,415 - $133,142 / year

OPEN DATE: May 12, 2026 CLOSING DATE: June 2, 2026POSITION TYPE: Trust FundAPPOINTMENT TYPE: IndefiniteSCHEDULE: Full TimeDUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

Position sensitivity and risk Non-sensitive (NS)/Low 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 one-year 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.

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 is seeking an experienced candidate to fill the Research Zoologist and Curator of Fishes position in the department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes. The purpose of this position is to perform scholarly scientific research and professional curation in the National Fish Collection. The NMNH is part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s preeminent museum and research complex. The Museum is dedicated to inspiring curiosity, discovery, and learning about the natural world through its unparalleled research, collections, exhibitions, and education outreach programs. The NMNH holds a collection of over 148 million specimens and objects across Botany, Entomology, Invertebrate Zoology, Vertebrate Zoology, Paleobiology, Mineral Sciences, and Anthropology. The incumbent will serve as a Research Zoologist and Curator of Fishes under the general administrative direction and professional counsel of the Department Chair. The incumbent is responsible for directing and performing independent scholarly scientific research and professional curation in the National Fish Collection. The incumbent develops and expands an internationally recognized research program, making major contributions to the field of zoology through research, integrative scientific investigation, scholarly and public presentations, publications, and recognition within the scientific community.

This entry-level position will be filled at the IS-12 level, which is comparable to the GS-12 level in the Federal Government.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Independently initiates, develops, and personally participates in integrative scientific research, fieldwork, and collection growth and maintenance within the field of Systematic Ichthyology. Research consists of systematically planned, original studies or a series of studies that address broader problems. Regularly publishes technical papers as well as synthetic works of descriptive, analytical, theoretical, and/or applied nature based on own fieldwork, study of collections in this and other institutions, and on existing scholarly publications.
• Seeks non-departmental funding from sources within and beyond the Smithsonian. Keeps abreast of new developments and related research conducted elsewhere to improve the incumbent’s research and curation program.
• Develops and curates portions of the National Fish Collection in their own specialty area. Through fieldwork and acquisition of specimens, maintains, develops, and improves the National Fish Collection. Directs an active program of specimen/data exchange and cooperation with other museums, educational institutions, and scholars. Recommends approval or disapproval of requested loans from the Collection to other institutions.
• Serves as a consultant and expert advisor on professional matters in their area of expertise to colleagues, governmental agencies, other governments, institutions, foundations, organizations, and the general public.
• Participates in the planning and development of museum exhibits and public education programs, including distance learning, in areas related to expertise.
• Serves as supervisor or advisor to interns, students, fellows, short-term scholars, and to scientific institutions and museums. Develops performance plans for supervisees and evaluates performance. Gives advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience:
This position has a positive education requirement.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet these Basic Education Requirements:

A. Degree: zoology; or a related discipline or field of science that included at least 20 semester hours in zoology and related animal sciences.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in zoology, or in a related discipline that included course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to the Basic Requirements above:

Applicants MUST possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a relevant field of study from an accredited college or university; and/or related experience that demonstrates possession of the competencies described below; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Knowledge required for this position is as follows:

• Knowledge of and ability to conduct collections-oriented research in Systematic Ichthyology.
• Knowledge of and experience with curation practices and procedures for museum collections in specialty area.
• Must have demonstrated ability as a competent and productive researcher and be recognized as a significant contributor to Systematic Ichthyology as attested by a record of publications in peer reviewed journals. Highest ranked candidates will have a record of innovative, original, and independent research.
• Requires thorough knowledge of collections management practices, gained through work experience in curation and research on ichthyological collections, to develop and curate portions of the National Fish Collection for which the incumbent is responsible through field work and the acquisition, maintenance, and management of collections.
• Must be able to communicate orally and in writing to articulate their research program to administrators, the scientific community, funding agencies, and the general public.

Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter by the closing date. Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week. Resumes should provide names and contact information for three professional contacts who can send letters of recommendation upon request.

Cover letters should include a research statement and a summary of curatorial experience.

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 application will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After initial review of applications, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager and search committee. Top ranked candidates may be invited for a virtual and/or in-person interview.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact NMNHStaffing@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: Individuals with Disabilities | Smithsonian Institution ( https://www.si.edu/oeo/individuals-disabilities).
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: Office of Equal Opportunity | Smithsonian Institution ( https://www.si.edu/oeo).