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Position Listings


Professional Positions

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Assistant Professor (Geobiology, Tenure Track), Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California USA

Posting Date: 19 October 2024
Closing Date: 1 December 2024

The UCLA Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences (EPSS) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Geobiology at the Assistant Professor rank. Competitive candidates will have expertise in the detection and characterization of life and/or signatures of life in Earth's past and present environments, and/or in extraterrestrial settings. Areas of research may include, but are not limited to, organic geochemistry, isotope geochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, paleontology, paleobiology, and/or astrobiology. Candidates with expertise that complements and expands the existing strengths of UCLA’s geobiology, geology, geochemistry and planetary science research programs, and who see potential for synergies across the breadth of research pursued by EPSS faculty, are particularly encouraged to apply. We seek individuals with experience in research, teaching, and community/collegial service who are prepared to contribute to our commitment to excellence in scholarship and to our goals of equity, diversity, and inclusion. The successful candidate will be expected to establish a vigorous, externally funded research program at UCLA. Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in biology, chemistry, geochemistry, geology, environmental science, or a closely related field by the date of hire.

EPSS faculty conduct research in geophysics, geology, geobiology, geochemistry, planetary science, paleobiology, and space physics. The department has a strong tradition of integrative research that transcends traditional discipline boundaries. The ability of applicants to contribute to this multidisciplinary ethos will be a consideration in evaluation, in addition to their commitment to enhancing the diversity of EPSS faculty and students.

To apply, candidates must submit
  1. cover letter,
  2. CV,
  3. statement of research,
  4. statement of teaching,
  5. statement of contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion,
  6. up to three writing samples,
  7. the names of three to five individuals who are familiar with your work and can serve as references, and
  8. the reference check authorization release form.

Applications will be accepted via the UC Recruit website at
https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF09827 beginning October 17, 2024 and reviews of submitted applications will commence on December 1, 2024.

The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See Table(s) 1 The salary range for this position is $78,200 - $101,400 annually. “Off-scale salaries” and other components of pay, i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions. See campus compensation page for additional information.

The target start date is July 1, 2025. UCLA has programs to assist in partner employment, childcare, schooling and other family concerns. For additional information, visit the UCLA Academic Personnel Office website or the UC Office of the President’s website.

The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all individuals who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in a safe and secure environment, free of violence, harassment, bullying and other demeaning behavior, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. With this commitment as well as a commitment to addressing all forms of academic misconduct, UCLA conducts targeted employment reference checks for finalists to whom departments or other hiring units would like to extend formal offers of appointment into Academic Senate faculty positions. The targeted employment reference checks involve contacting the finalists’ current and prior places of employment to ask whether there have been substantiated findings of misconduct that would violate the University’s Faculty Code of Conduct. To implement this process, UCLA requires all applicants for Academic Senate faculty positions to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled “Authorization to Release Information” into RECRUIT as part of their application. If the applicant does not include the signed authorization to release information with the applications materials, the application will be considered incomplete. As with any incomplete application, the application will not receive further consideration. Although all applicants for faculty recruitments must complete the entire application, only finalists (i.e., those to whom the department or other hiring unit would like to extend a formal offer) considered for Academic Senate faculty positions will be subject to targeted employment reference checks.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. Please refer to Appendix F, Section II.C. of the policy for the deadlines applicable to new University of California employees. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy.

For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy, please visit
https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit
https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

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Assistant Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology, Division of Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), New York, New York, USA

Posting Date: 13 November 2024
Closing Date: 16 December 2024

The Division of Paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) seeks an Assistant Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology to start on or after July 1, 2025. The successful candidate will be a creative scientist with an innovative program in invertebrate paleontology and the potential to develop inter-institutional collaborations. We are particularly interested in applicants working on non-arthropod groups, as well as those whose research is focused on past and current biodiversity crises and/or the impact of climate and other environmental changes.

The AMNH is a recognized leader in scientific research, graduate education, and public education about science and the natural world. The responsibilities of this position are to perform original specimen-based scientific research, oversee curation and management of the fossil invertebrate collections in alignment with their taxonomic expertise, enhance the Museum’s collections through field expeditions as well as the innovative use of collections and applications of new technologies, and secure funding for the above activities. In addition, the successful candidate will serve as an Assistant Professor in the Richard Gilder Graduate School and have the opportunity to teach and advise PhD students in the RGGS comparative biology and partner university PhD programs, mentor postdocs, and/or serve as science faculty in the Master of Arts in Teaching Earth science residency program. The successful candidate may also contribute to exhibitions, collaborate with the Museum’s education department, and participate in public programs.

Resources available at the AMNH include world-class fossil collections; fossil preparation facilities; high performance computing; and a range of optical, electron beam, and X-ray analytical tools (including high resolution micro-CT scanning) in the AMNH Microscopy and Imaging Lab. The AMNH maintains active internal grant programs to support field research across many disciplines. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to build on existing relationships with nearby collaborating institutions including Columbia University and the City University of New York.

The expected salary range for the Assistant Curator/Professor of Invertebrate Paleontology is $125,000 – 142,000.

Pay will be determined based on several factors. The hiring range for the position at commencement is based on the type of work and the scope of responsibilities. The salary and placement offered is based on a number of individualized factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, credentials, areas of specialization and depth and scope of experience.

Candidates must hold a doctoral degree in biology, geology, or related field at the time of application submission.

Application materials should include:

  • Cover letter (max. 1 page)
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Research statement, including goals, achievements, and future plans (max. 3 pages)
  • Curatorial and service statement, addressing your vision for the role of collections and collecting in supporting scientific research and your experience and interests in teaching and public outreach (max. 3 pages)
  • PDFs of up to 5 publications and/or preprints
  • Names and contact information for three people who will provide letters of recommendation. References listed on the application will be contacted for letters at the time of application submission.

For both statements, applicants are encouraged to include relevant information about contributions to, and vision for, increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the AMNH and broader scientific community. Application materials should be submitted as a single PDF under “Other Document”, with the exception of publication PDFs, which can be submitted under “Publications”. Publications may be submitted as a file share link/folder if the size exceeds 10MB.

Inquiries about the position should be directed to Melanie Hopkins (
mhopkins@amnh.org). Consideration of applications will begin on December 16, 2024, but applications will continue to be accepted after this date. All materials should be submitted to https://careers.amnh.org.

Direct link to job posting:
https://careers.amnh.org/postings/4301

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Researcher (Senior Curator) in Paleontology, Department of Paleobiology, Naturhistorika Riksmuseet (Swedish Museum of Natural History), Stockholm, Sweden

Posting Date: 24 November 2024
Closing Date: 20 December 2024

The Department of Paleobiology (PAL) is one of the museum’s five research departments, with over 20 employees. PAL hosts an international team of scientists who run externally- and internally funded projects in national and international collaboration, manage and support infrastructure projects, and supervise researchers at PhD and post-doctoral level. Researchers and technical staff curate and continuously expand the large paleontological collections (over 2 million specimens) that are used both by researchers at the museum as well as by external visitors. Our research focuses on biodiversity, evolution, morphology, taxonomy, phylogenetics and biogeography of a large range of animal and plant groups. The department hosts a broad range of analytical facilities including recently renovated laboratories for rock thin sectioning, acid-digestion, microscopy and tomographic analysis.

We seek an excellent curator with a high-quality independent research program in paleontology to strengthen research and collections at the department, and contribute to outreach and higher education activities. The research must be collection based, or otherwise beneficial for collection enrichment and enhancement. At the Department of Paleobiology, the work in the collections and the laboratories requires the physical presence of the curators; options to work remotely are, therefore, limited.

The position is for a Senior Curator with a full-time salary from the Swedish Museum of Natural History. This is a permanent position with a six-month probationary period. The Swedish Museum of Natural History offers the possibility of promoting employees to the level of professor. The salary will be consistent with existing staff at the same level of employment and experience.

Work tasks
  • Independent research and publishing at a high international level in collection-based paleontology, systematics and evolution, stratigraphy, and paleoecology. Presentation of research findings at national and international conferences is required.
  • Supervising students at MSc and PhD level.
  • Teaching at graduate (including doctoral) and undergraduate levels (a few hours per year).
  • Applying for external research grants.
  • Processing and enriching the museums paleontological collections, including responsibility for overseeing selected parts of the collections.
  • Developing exhibitions in collaboration with the public division, and disseminating scientific knowledge to the public.
  • Participating in the museum's and the department's other activities, including administrative tasks.

The position includes approximately 50% research, 30% collections management and 20% administration and popular-science outreach. For the right person, there may be opportunities to develop leadership and personnel management skills in the future, depending on the needs of the organization.

Start date according to agreement. 6-month probationary period applies.

Application
Last application deadline: 20/12/2024 23:59
Reference number : 670-2024

Please find more information and the online application form at:
https://recruit.visma.com/spa/public/apply?guidAssignment=992023b9-d84b-4411-86e8-f3cb4897321b&description=True

Note: Choose the English language option on your browser if the page comes up in Swedish.

Fixed-Term, Visiting, Postdoctoral & Technical Positions


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Research Assistant in Public Engagement, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

Posting Date: 14 November 2024
Closing Date: 22 November 2024

Applications are invited for a 10-month full-time Research Assistant in Public Engagement position funded by Science Foundation Ireland.

The position will provide essential technical support to the Ireland’s Fossil Heritage public engagement project. The successful candidate will join the large and dynamic Palaeontology Research Group at UCC, and will work closely with the PI, the project’s Senior Engagement Officer, Engagement Officer, Administrative Officer, and volunteers in the delivery of the project objectives.

The successful candidate will assist with key aspects of project rollout and logistics, including:

  • Co-delivery of hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) workshops to schoolchildren (in primary and secondary schools) with other team members
  • Expansion of the project’s network of public fossil sites
  • Expansion of the project’s network of urban fossil trails
  • Collation, digitisation and preliminary analysis of evaluation data
  • Co-delivery of STEAM exhibits at public science festivals.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

The successful candidate will provide a cover letter detailing how they meet the following essential criteria:

  • A first class or upper second class BSc or MSc, or PhD, qualification in geoscience.
  • Excellent knowledge of fossils
  • Familiarity with the Irish fossil record and the Irish school curricula in STEM subjects and Geography
  • Ability to interact with stakeholders from a range of settings and backgrounds
  • Experience of working with schoolchildren and the general public
  • Experience in design and/or application of hands-on activities for use by the public
  • Excellent at solving problems
  • Excellent team member skills
  • Excellent organisational and communication skills
  • Full driving license

Salary: starting €31,962 - €41,943 per annum p.a. (Research Assistant salary scale)

Post duration: 10 months

For an information package including full details of the post, selection criteria and application process see
https://ore.ucc.ie/.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Prof. Maria McNamara, Professor of Palaeontology, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences. Email:
maria.mcnamara@ucc.ie

Applications should comprise a CV and cover letter and must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal (
https://ore.ucc.ie/). Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to recruitment@ucc.ie, quoting the job-title.

Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 pm (Irish Local Time) on Friday, 22nd November 2024.

Educational Opportunities


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PhD Opportunity (Biology/Paleontology), Department of Museum Research and Collections & Alabama Museum of Natural History, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA

Posting Date: 12 October 2024
Closing Date: 10 December 2024

The recently NSF-funded project “Energetic Controls on Marine Benthic Community Structure in Space and Time” aims to:

  1. evaluate how productivity affects the energetic and trophic structure of marine benthic communities on either side of the modern Isthmus of Panama, where there is now a strong contrast between the high productivity, upwelling-dominated regime of the eastern Pacific and the low-productivity, low-seasonality regime of the Caribbean;
  2. use this knowledge to evaluate the fossil record of Caribbean benthic ecosystems before, during, and after the uplift of the isthmus during which planktonic productivity decreased in the Caribbean and
  3. relate ecosystem changes driven by productivity shifts to the well documented Caribbean extinction event ~2 Ma.

This is a project in collaboration with colleagues and their students/postdoc at the Ohio State University (Dr. Jill Leonard-Pingel), the University of California Berkeley (Dr. Seth Finnegan), and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (Dr. Aaron O’Dea).

One key component of this project is to assess biotic interactions such as predator-prey interactions using fossil and modern molluscan assemblages from both sides of the Isthmus of Panama. I am recruiting a PhD student for the Fall 2025 semester with a background in biology, paleontology, and/or geology who has an interest in biotic interactions and quantitative methods. While the study will use pre-existing collections, there is a trip to Panama included. For those interested, please get in touch with
Dr. Adiel Klompmaker, preferably sending along a CV.

The student will be supported for 5 semesters as a graduate research assistant and as graduate teaching assistant for the remainder of the PhD program. Conference support is provided. The student will be part of the Department of Biological Sciences or the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Alabama depending on the background of the student. Apply to one of these departments through
https://graduate.ua.edu/applicants/

Applications are due on 10 December 2024.

Sponsors