Geologist; Postdoctoral Research Fellow​/Biologist; Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Department: National Museum of Natural History

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Compensation: $85,447 - $111,087 / year

OPEN DATE: 10/12/2026

CLOSING DATE: 11/02/2026

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not-To-Exceed (NTE) 2 Years

PROMOTION POTENTIAL: IS-11

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY

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)

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
• 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.
• 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.

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, Department of Paleo biology invites applications for a position of Geologist (Postdoctoral Research Fellow) or Biologist (Postdoctoral Research Fellow). Position will perform research on an NSF-funded project to investigate the evolutionary consequences of asexual reproduction in cytheroid ostracodes.

• Works independently and collaboratively to collect morphological and occurrence data from cytheroid ostracodes from NMNH and other fossil collections.
• Works independently and collaboratively to analyze these data to test if morphological evolution and extinction risk differ by reproductive mode.
• 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.
• Reviews research proposals, manuscripts, and…