0401-11

Smithsonian Institution•Washington, DC

43d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.
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.
Knowledge and expertise in publishing and giving oral presentations of complex scientific results.
Working knowledge of scientific literature in area of expertise.
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.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with CT data is preferred.

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.