Ecologist Postdoctoral Research Fellow, IS-0408-11

Smithsonian; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental & Vision Insurance

Transit/Commuter Benefits

403b Retirement Plan

Job summary

Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute seeks a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to develop a biodiversity mortality metric within the Move BON program. The fellow will synthesize movement ecology, demography, and data science, identifying mortality drivers and producing standardized indicators for biodiversity policy.

Responsibilities include coordinating with international partners, delivering a toolkit for indicator computation, and contributing to national biodiversity

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in biology, ecology, or zoology.
• At least one year of biology technician experience.
• Strong written communication and ability to work with large databases.

Responsibilities

• Analyze data using statistics and graphics software and report results.
• Publish manuscripts and present results to scientific audiences.
• Collaborate across institutions and coordinate with Move BON Working Group.

Skills

Movement ecology

Remote sensing

R programming

Python

Java

BASH

Google Earth Engine

Team science

Project management

Scientific writing

Education

PhD or equivalent

Tools

R

Python

Google Earth Engine

Job description

Ecologist Postdoctoral Research Fellow, IS-0408-11

Application Deadline: 12 October 2026

Department: National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Reporting To: Supervisory Research Wildlife Biologist

Compensation: $85,447 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: September 29, 2026

CLOSING DATE: October 12, 2026

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not to Exceed Twenty-four (24) Months (may be extended based on funds availability)

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

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

Who May Apply:

Open to all Qualified Applicants

Trust employees have their own benefit program and 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)

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

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

OVERVIEW

INTRODUCTION

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), Washington, DC. NZCBI plays a leading role in the Smithsonian's global efforts to save wildlife species from extinction and train future generations of conservationists.

SUMMARY

Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to create a new biodiversity metric of animal mortality to inform global biodiversity policy. The postdoctoral researcher will synthesize methods across movement ecology, demography, and environmental data science to identify animal mortality events, quantify their drivers, and produce standardized, scalable metrics that link anthropogenic and environmental stressors to mortality risk and population change with the goal of creating a standardized indicator. This work would be part of the newly formed Animal Movement Biodiversity Observation Network (Move BON), a global coordination network connecting animal tracking data to biodiversity monitoring and policy endeavors. Specifically, the postdoctoral researcher would coordinate work within the Move BON Mortality Metrics Working Group co-led by Scott Yanco (NZCBI) and Ruth Oliver (UC Santa Barbara). Indicators developed in this project will be positioned for integration into national biodiversity strategies and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework implementation via Move BON. The project would also produce a toolkit designed to produce metrics in formats compatible with existing national reporting obligations, and a cross-taxa case study will be developed in partnership with national reporting bodies to ensure direct policy relevance. Key outputs could include:

1. Peer-reviewed publications establishing analytical methods and a theoretical framework for mortality-based biodiversity indicators;
2. An open-source toolkit for reproducible indicator calculation (for example, open-source software tools or an online dashboard); and
3. A national or regional case study demonstrating cross-taxa implementation suitable for adoption within biodiversity policy frameworks. LOCATION Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Analyzes data using computers with statistical and graphics software applying appropriate statistical tests and data reduction methods. Reviews background material submitted with samples, determines approaches to be used in analysis and devises modification in the method that is required to solve the analytical problems.
• Writes reports and publishable scientific papers and gives oral presentations on the results of the sampling and experiments. Publishes scholarly reports of descriptive and/or theoretical nature based on the above. Publications are significant contributions of substantial scope within the physical, biological or social fields of science.
• Serves as a consultant and advisor on professional matters in their area of expertise to colleagues, Federal agencies, institutions, organizations, and the general public. May assist with guidance and teaching of students and technicians working on one or more research projects. May train staff members, interns, fellows, students, and visiting scholars in the theory and practical use of specialized equipment as appropriate. Advises researchers in the interpretation of the obtained data and ensures safe and responsible work practices with such equipment.
• The postdoctoral researcher also assists in preparation and submission of grant proposals. Reviews research proposals, manuscripts, and publications as requested by scientific colleagues and outside institutions. Lectures to professional associations and other organizations. Attends and participates in national and international scientific conferences, seminars, and societies.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet the basic education requirement for their discipline: Biologist, Ecologist or Zoologist, IS/GS-09 AND the experience listed below. Please note: It is the applicant’s responsibility to show how you satisfy the course requirements for the position. If you do not provide information that clearly shows how your completed college course work meets all of the requirements, you will be rated ineligible. Your rating will be based solely on the information you submit with your application. No attempts will be made to verify with you, or the school you attended, whether or not your coursework meets all of the requirements. YOU MUST SUBMIT ALL YOUR COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS.

Additional Requirements

A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree that has equipped applicants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (described below) necessary to do the work of the position.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE

For this position, SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as working knowledge of the principles of ecology and conservation of wildlife through coursework in ecology, wildlife management, or a related field. At least one year of biology technician experience equivalent to the next lower grade is required. The role requires self-direction and motivation, combined with flexibility and entrepreneurial thinking. The incumbent/position should possess the following knowledge and qualifications including:

• Expertise and experience in advanced movement ecology and/or population biology analyses, with expertise in incorporating remote sensing variables in analytical frameworks.
• The applicant must demonstrate the ability to work with large databases in a team science setting using best practices for open science and collaboration.
• Demonstrated skill in analyses using R; computer programming (e.g., Python, Java, BASH, and/or Google Earth Engine).
• Experience collaborating across institutions to jointly pursue research topics relevant to both academic and applied audiences.
• Demonstrated experience managing and completing complex projects with multiple stakeholders and deliverables, including strong communication skills.
• Demonstrated excellence in written communication, especially as it relates to manuscript writing.

Applicants who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

What To Expect Next

Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [e-mail]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: www.si.edu/oeema.