Deep Time: Peter Buck Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
Applications will be accepted between 23 March 2020 and 1 May 2020, for the next Deep Time Peter Buck Postdoctoral Fellow.
Background
The Deep Time (DT) initiative is focused on understanding connections between 4.6 billion years of environmental change, the diversity of life, and the future of our species on Earth.
The four focal themes for our Deep Time research, exhibits, and outreach include: 1) evolution of organisms, 2) evolution of ecosystems, 3) earth processes, 4) connections among these forces including to our human past, present and future.
Through understanding of the fossil and geological record, Deep Time seeks to inform and inspire the global community about connections between the past, present, and future of life on Earth and help educate citizens for a changing planet. The Deep Time Peter Buck Fellow will join a diverse intellectual community at NMNH involved in research, education, and outreach activities relating to the new NMNH Fossil Halls (Deep Time) exhibition. Additional information can be found at:
NMNH Department of Paleobiology Department: http://paleobiology.si.edu/,
The Fossil Halls - Deep Time Exhibit: https://naturalhistory.si.edu/exhibits/david-h-koch-hall-fossils-deep-time
NMNH Office of Education and Outreach: https://naturalhistory.si.edu/education.
Purpose
The Deep Time Buck Fellowship is a two-year postdoctoral fellowship for research in Paleobiology relating to the goals of the Deep Time Initiative at the National Museum of Natural History. This fellowship involves 75% time commitment to research and 25% time commitment toward advancing science education at NMNH through direct interaction with our public.
The award provides stipend ($55,000/year), a research/travel allowance ($4,000/year), support for health insurance ($5,000/year), and a one-time relocation allowance ($1,000).
The Deep Time (DT) initiative is focused on understanding connections between 4.6 billion years of environmental change, the diversity of life, and the future of our species on Earth. The Deep Time Buck Fellow will be expected to conduct independent research in the study of systematics, paleoecology, functional biology, taphonomy, field investigations, etc., and involving NMNH collections. Priority will be given to applications that: 1) propose innovative research on an exciting collections-based topic in Paleobiology, 2) indicate a high standard of research productivity, creativity, and interactivity, 3) provide evidence of ability to communicate about science and engage the public with scientific topics – specifically involving direct interaction with the public, orally, in writing, through social media, citizen science, etc.
Eligibility
Postdoctoral. Applicants should have a proven record of research accomplishment and knowledge of the fossil record. Preferred starting dates for the fellowship are between September 1 and October 31, 2020, and all formal requirements for a Ph.D. must be completed before the end of this time interval.
How to Apply
To apply, send the following application materials to Brian Huber, huberb@si.edu, in pdf format by 1 May 2020:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Publications: pdfs of recent publications (maximum of three);
- Research proposal: proposed research for the two-year interval (up to 5 double-spaced pages, including figures, 11 point type);
- Outreach Statement: a 1-page (11 point type) education and outreach statement of interests and accomplishments in communicating science to the public
- References: contact information for three referees who could provide letters of reference should an applicant be chosen for the next stage of the selection process.
Deadline
All application materials should be submitted to Brian Huber, huberb@si.edu, in pdf format by 1 May 2020. Questions regarding the fellowship should be emailed to Anna K. Behrensmeyer, behrensa@si.edu or Brian Huber, huberb@si.edu. Interviews and the decision about the next Deep Time Fellow are expected to occur during late May, 2020.
Note that the Deep Time Peter Buck Postdoctoral Fellowship is administered separately from the Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program (SIFP), which has a deadline of November 1 and is 100% research.