Interdisciplinary; Biologist, Ecologist, Zoologist Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Interdisciplinary (Biologist, Ecologist, Zoologist) Postdoctoral Research Fellow, IS-0408-09

Final date to receive applications: 13 July 2026

Department: National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Front Royal, VA

Reporting To: Director, Conservation and Science

Compensation: $70,623 - $91,815 / year

OPEN DATE: July 7, 2026

CLOSING DATE: July 13, 2026 (job will close once 50 applications are received, which may be sooner than the closing date.

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not to Exceed Twelve (12) Months (may be extended based on funds availability)

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY

LOCATION:

Front Royal, VA

Position sensitivity and risk:
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Who May Apply: Open to all Qualified Applicants

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from 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 are generally the same as for federal positions, and trust and federal employees often 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, Smithsonian Memberships discounts, Museum Stores and Restaurants discounts, Credit Union, Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

• Pass Pre‑employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for a low‑risk position.
• 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.

The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located in the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Washington, DC. NZCBI plays a leading role in the Smithsonian's global efforts to protect wildlife species from extinction and train future generations of conservationists.

We are seeking a motivated Biologist, Ecologist, or Zoologist to join our interdisciplinary research team focused on advancing applied research and conservation of socio‑ecological systems. The successful candidate will develop, implement, and manage applied conservation projects in the Brazilian Pantanal in collaboration with Smithsonian and external partners (e.g., universities, NGOs, government). The incumbent must have demonstrated expertise in field surveys, data collection, managing research/conservation teams, and coordinating work in partnership with other organizations.

Experience working in Brazil and knowledge of Portuguese will be advantageous. The position provides opportunities for independent research, collaborative grant development, and peer‑review publication, and will contribute to strengthening quantitative capacity across the Institute.

LOCATION: Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA

• Initiate, develop, and participate in research and fieldwork in the area of specialization. Research consists of systematically planned, original studies based on fieldwork and synthesizing information from the literature.
• Design and conduct field sampling to measure variables such as species composition and abundance, population size structure, and physiological condition of communities within the incumbent’s area of expertise. Design and conduct field and laboratory experiments to determine mechanisms regulating species composition, abundance, distribution, sizes, and physiological condition of…