Vertebrate Paleontology Postdoctoral Scholar

DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS) invites applications for the position of Vertebrate Paleontology Postdoctoral Scholar, based in the DMNS Earth Sciences Department. This two-year role, tied to an NSF-funded project, focuses on Late Cretaceous and early Paleocene fossil mammals and will involve collaboration with the Senior Curator Tyler Lyson and external colleagues.

The candidate will conduct research on biodiversity recovery across the K–Pg boundary, aim for peer-reviewed

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Paleobiology, Biology, Geology or a related field by the start of the position.
• Peer-reviewed publication record.
• Proficiency in identifying and conducting research on North American Mesozoic and/or early Cenozoic fossil mammals.

Responsibilities

• Leads research projects on taxonomy and/or paleoecology of Late Cretaceous and early Paleocene fossil mammals, resulting in peer-reviewed publications.
• Collaborates with the Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology and DMNS staff, interns, associates, and external partners to contribute to ongoing scholarship.
• Assists with identification of Late Cretaceous and early Paleocene fossil mammals and curation activities.
• Submits and approves timesheets and expenses promptly.
• Participates in Museum and Science Division initiatives and professional paleontology community activities including regular professional meeting attendance.
• Develops skills and experience that will help propel their scientific career, potentially including database, collections, lab, field, and/or fundraising work.

Skills

Data analysis

Excel

Education

Ph.D. in Paleobiology/Biology/Geology or related field

Tools

R

Job description

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS) invites applications for the position of a Vertebrate Paleontology Postdoctoral Scholar, based in the DMNS Earth Sciences Department. We are a highly collaborative and research-driven department with world-class paleontological collections, five full-time curator-scientists, and a growing community of research scientists and postdoctoral researchers. The successful candidate will join a large, multidisciplinary team of researchers focused on understanding the biodiversity and recovery of life across the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) mass extinction. This two-year position will be in conjunction with a NSF-funded project, analyzing paleontological and geochemical records in the Denver (CO) and Williston (ND) Basins. We seek a highly motivated and collaborative individual to conduct research on the evolution, diversity and ecology of Late Cretaceous and early Paleocene fossil mammals across the K–Pg. The candidate will work closely with the Senior Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology Tyler Lyson at the DMNS, other museum staff, and external colleagues to conduct research characterizing the recovery and restructuring of K–Pg faunas, with expectations for the development of peer-reviewed publications. Applicants with interests and experience in mammalian taxonomy and/or paleoecology are encouraged to apply. Position start date is flexible, but ideally the candidate will begin by January 2027.

Job Class: Full Time
Hiring Range: $55,000 - $60,000/year
Work Schedule: Monday–Friday daytime hours; weekends and evenings as needed
Direct Reports:0

Essential Duties

Research (85%):

• Leads research projects on taxonomy and/or paleoecology of Late Cretaceous and early Paleocene fossil mammals, resulting in peer-reviewed publications.
• Collaborates with the Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology and as needed with other DMNS staff, interns, associates, and/or external partners to contribute to ongoing scholarship.
• Assists with identification of Late Cretaceous and early Paleocene fossil mammals and curation activities.
• Submits and approves timesheets and expenses promptly.
• Participates in Museum and Science Division initiatives and professional paleontology community activities including regular professional meeting attendance.
• Develops skills and experience that will help propel their scientific career, potentially including database, collections, lab, field, and/or fundraising work.

Outreach (15%):

• Facilitates internal and external outreach events to the scientific and public communities via verbal, lecture, video, written, and/or other media formats.
• Contributes to the museum’s impact by participating in activities such as inclusivity efforts and mentoring.
• Participates in leadership or other service roles that support and diversify the broader earth science community.

MinimumQualifications/Requirements

• Ph.D. in Paleobiology, Biology, Geology or a related field by the start of the position.
• Peer-reviewed publication record.
• Proficiency in identifying and conducting research on North American Mesozoic and/or early Cenozoic fossil mammals.

Ideal Candidate Will Be/Have

• Proficiency in organizing datasets in Microsoft Excel.
• Proficiency in performing data analyses in relevant software (e.g. R).
• Experience in field and/or collections-based research.

Working Conditions

• Travel: Conferences, fieldwork, collections visits, events.
• Occasional evening/weekend work: Outreach events, tours, donor, field activities.
• Office: Moderate noise (business office with computers and printers, light traffic).
• Lifting requirements: Move (equipment, specimens) up to 40 pounds in the collections, lab, field.
• Stand or sit: Able to remain in a stationary position (75% of time).
• Working machinery: Exposure to loud fans, air compressors, mechanical equipment, chemical materials.
• Collections: Preparation, cleaning, repair, maintenance of specimens.
• Fieldwork: Travel on foot across varied, remote terrain and inclement weather.
• Lab: Potential use of mechanical or hand tools, fume hoods, chemicals.