Hell Creek Project Paleontology Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Washington

Organization: College of Arts and Sciences, Biology

Title : Research Associate

Search Number : NN9786, link: http://ap.washington.edu/ahr/academic-jobs/position/nn9786/


Hell Creek Project Paleontology Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

The University of Washington (Seattle, WA) invites applications for a one-year postdoctoral research associate (Job Class 0148), renewable for a second year. The successful applicant will work under the supervision of Dr. Gregory P. Wilson, Associate Professor of Biology and Adjunct Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology, on the multi-institution, multi-disciplinary Hell Creek Project. The position is 100% FTE for 12 months and will be 40% research, 40% curation, 20% fieldwork (allocation is negotiable), and offers a competitive salary plus benefits. Review of applications will begin February 1, 2015, and the position can begin as soon after that as a successful applicant is identified, with an anticipated start date of March/April 2015 (negotiable).

Responsibilities:
1) The candidate, upon consultation with Dr. Wilson, will propose a paleontological research problem that is relevant to the Hell Creek Project (on plants, invertebrates, or vertebrates) and can be largely addressed in a two-year time frame using Hell Creek Project fossil collections, and carry out this research program.
2) The candidate will lead and manage personnel efforts to prepare and curate Hell Creek Project fossil specimens and to mobilize these data into appropriate online databases.
3) Collaborative research, discussion, and presentation of research results in collaboration with members of the Hell Creek Project are expected. Some funds for research expenses and travel are possible. Start date is negotiable within limits, by arrangement with Dr. Wilson.

Minimum/Basic Qualification Required:
By the start date, all elements of the PhD, including the dissertation, must be completed and the degree conferred in the biological, earth sciences, or similar field, with an emphasis on specimen-based paleontological and paleobiological questions.

Additional Required Qualifications:
• PhD must be conferred less than six years prior to start date
• Demonstrated curatorial experience, and taxonomic expertise relevant to the project (plants, invertebrates, vertebrates)
• Demonstrated experience managing personnel and planning/leading fieldwork
• Research interests that are appropriate to the Hell Creek Project
• Explicit plan to collaborate with existing members of the Hell Creek Project
• Demonstrated ability to publish in English-language peer-reviewed journals
• An explicit proposal, detailed in the application, of your research question(s) and how you plan to use and curate specific parts of the Hell Creek Project collection to this end

Successful candidates will be able to complete the following:
(1) mobilize large amounts of Hell Creek data (i.e., specimen records and images) as part of the proposed research as well as the curatorial work; (2) develop new data sets and methods for their study; (3) organize and lead paleontological and geological fieldwork for eight weeks in Montana (duration negotiable); (4) involve undergraduates and contribute to outreach components (blogs, online images, DIG Field School, etc.); and (5) focus on a substantial part of the Hell Creek fossil collections important to a fundamental research question.

University of Washington faculty engage in teaching, research and service. University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, status as protected veterans, or status as qualified individuals with disabilities.

To apply:
Please submit (1) a cover letter (including contact information for three references), (2) curriculum vitae, (3) a brief statement of previous curation, preparation, and field research experience (2-page limit), and (4) a proposed research plan (2-page limit), all in a single PDF file to gpwilson@u.washington.edu. Applications must be received by February 15, 2015.