Post Doctoral Fellow - Biology

The University of New Mexico • Albuquerque, NM

19h • Onsite

About The Position

The University of New Mexico’s Grand Challenges Biodiversity Nexus team seeks an enthusiastic, quantitative scientist interested in past, present, and future biodiversity and experienced with natural history collections. The fellow will work with a transdisciplinary group of scientists on questions about how environmental change reshapes biodiversity, ecosystem function, and human health through time, and how UNM’s collections can serve as scientific infrastructure to predict and respond to these changes. Research themes include biodiversity response to environmental change; biosphere cycling of human materials; multi-temporal history of disease transmission; and Earth system succession and planetary tipping.

The fellow will work directly with one or more Biodiversity Nexus co-conveners—Drs. Felisa Smith, Cori Myers, Jason Moore, and Mike Andersen—to identify and mobilize UNM collections relevant to projects and contribute to developing extramurally funded proposals. The role also includes research and outreach, publications, grant-writing contributions, dissemination of project-related information, mentorship, conference presentations, and participation in relevant professional organizations. The fellow may review research or grant proposals and manuscripts and participate in department, college, campus, and other UNM committees as appropriate and with supervisory approval.

Applicants must submit a CV and a cover letter of up to three pages addressing the role of natural history collections in modern transdisciplinary research, their relevant skills and experience, and a proposed research direction using UNM collections connected to the work of one or more co-conveners. Applications are accepted through the official UNMJobs site. The position remains open until filled.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in biology, Earth sciences, anthropology, or a related field by the start of appointment.
• Demonstrated quantitative skills, which may include experience with biologically relevant programming languages and/or collections database frameworks.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to work well with a transdisciplinary team of scientists.

Nice To Haves

• Research expertise aligned with the Grand Challenges Biodiversity Nexus vision.
• Strong publication record commensurate with experience.
• Experience with natural history collections-based research.
• Interest in and/or experience with community-engaged research and project-relevant public outreach.
• Experience contributing to grant proposal writing.
• Experience or demonstrated ability to build collaborative connections across research groups or collections units.
• Demonstrated commitment to understanding the rich and varied cultures of New Mexico and to the university's mission of serving local and global communities.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Biodiversity Nexus personnel to further the project's mission.
• Identify and mobilize UNM collections relevant to projects in coordination with one or more Biodiversity Nexus co-conveners.
• Contribute to the development of extramurally funded grant proposals.
• Engage in research or outreach activities, including publications that acknowledge significant and meaningful contributions.
• Contribute to grant writing in areas of expertise.
• Disseminate project-related information through mentorship, presentations at regional or national meetings, and authored publications.
• Participate in appropriate professional societies and other educational and research organizations.
• Review research or grant proposals, journal manuscripts, and publications related to areas of expertise.
• Participate, as appropriate and with supervisory approval, in committees within the department, college, campus, and other UNM entities.

Benefits

• Postdoctoral Fellows may be eligible to receive certain UNM benefits; details are available on the UNM Benefits home page.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree