Hi MSA Community, Please see below for an opportunity at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History for one postdoctoral position in each of the following fields: crustal petrology, meteoritics, and biomineralogy. Here is a link to the full position description and application portal: https://trustcareers.si.edu/en/postings/a72f6e55-2eb4-48bf-937b-bff7ae363b23 I'm happy to answer any questions, Mike Michael R. Ackerson (he/him/his) Research Geologist- Curator Department of Mineral Sciences ackersonm@si.edu<mailto:ackersonm@si.edu> SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Research Geologist (Postdoctoral Research Fellow) and/or Biologist (Postdoctoral Research Fellow) (IS-1350/0401-11) OPEN DATE: February 2, 2026 CLOSING DATE: March 2, 2026 APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not-To-Exceed (NTE) 3 years SALARY RANGE: $85,447.00 to $85,447.00 DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC OVERVIEW 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 Mineral Sciences invites applications for three (3) positions of Research Geologist (Postdoctoral Research Fellow) and/or Biologist (Postdoctoral Research Fellow) in support of the National Museum of Natural History’s Our Unique Planet initiative which is focused on understanding the origin of the unique features of our planet. Up to one position will be selected in each of following research areas: (1) Continents - use the compositions of ancient rocks and minerals and/or computational modeling to investigate the generation of continental crust and its relation to the evolution of the early Earth and the onset of modern-style plate tectonics; (2) Meteoritics – conduct petrologic and mineralogical studies of aqueously-altered carbonaceous chondrites and samples returned by the OSIRIS-REx mission to understand their history and the evolution of water before and during delivery to Earth; and (3) Biomineralogy – focus on the emergence of the earliest biomineralizing organisms by studying early-Earth specimens, modern analog mineral-microbial processes, or evidence of life from extreme environments. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The successful candidate will have a track record of published research commensurate with level of experience. Demonstrated experience in a field directly relevant to the research areas (e.g., one or more of biomineralogy, geomicrobiology, astrobiology, silicic petrology, early Earth geochemistry, or chondrite petrology), as well as experience with relevant analytical and/or computational techniques (e.g, electron microscopy, vibrational spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, thermodynamic modeling, machine learning algorithms) is preferred. The Dept. of Mineral Sciences consists of experts in meteoritics, petrology, volcanology, and mineralogy, housing world-class collections in these areas. Applicants will have full access to existing analytical strengths of the Dept. of Mineral Sciences, with instrumentation that includes a field emission electron microprobe and scanning electron microscope, confocal Raman microscope, FTIR, vibrating sample magnetometer, experimental petrology labs, and biomineralogy laboratory. The ability to effectively communicate with a wide variety of audiences, including the public, is essential. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to participate in museum activities, such as educational outreach activities, and to be involved with professional associations and other organizations within the scientific community. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Education and Experience: To qualify for this position, candidates must demonstrate the experience outlined above and possess three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree related to the position or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Knowledge and experience sought for this role include, but are not limited to: * Professional knowledge of a wide range of concepts, principles, and theories of the physical and/or biological sciences in the field of geology, biology, or other related discipline. * Demonstrated experience in a field directly relevant to the research areas (e.g., one or more of one or more of petrology, geochemistry, meteoritics, biomineralogy, geomicrobiology or astrobiology). * Professional knowledge and experience in sampling and experimental design, as well as a broad analytical outlook based on wide knowledge of various systematic methodologies. * Experience with relevant analytical techniques is preferred (e.g., electron microscopy, magnetometry, mass spectrometry, and other micro-to-nano analytical techniques). * Knowledge and experience in computerized statistical analysis of complex data. * Knowledge and expertise in publishing and giving oral presentations of complex scientific results. * Working knowledge of the scientific literature in area of expertise. To Apply: Interested candidates should submit the following: (1) a cover letter that includes a statement expressing their interest and applicability for the position, including a 3-year research plan; (2) their resume or curriculum vitae (CVs) (annotated as explained below); and (3) school transcripts (as noted below). Other qualifications relevant to the position should be documented in the resume or CV. Resumes or Curriculum Vitae (CVs) should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); average number of hours worked per week; a full list of publications; and names and contact information for three referees. Unofficial school transcripts (undergraduate and graduate) must be submitted with your application package by the closing date of the announcement. If selected for the position, you will be asked to provide official transcripts before appointment Applicants who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States. Education completed outside the U.S. 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. Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins. 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 expenses will not be paid. To learn more about the Department of Mineral Sciences please visit http://mineralsciences.si.edu/ For more information, contact Michael Ackerson, Research Geologist, 202.633.1876, ackersonm@si.edu.<mailto:ackersonm@si.edu> The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact NMNHStaffing@si.edu<mailto:NMNHStaffing@si.edu>. 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: Individuals with Disabilities | Smithsonian Institution<https://www.si.edu/oeo/individuals-disabilities> (https://www.si.edu/oeo/individuals-disabilities). The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: Office of Equal Opportunity | Smithsonian Institution<https://www.si.edu/oeo> (https://www.si.edu/oeo). About National Museum of Natural History The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is part of the Smithsonian Institution’s unique complex museums and galleries, the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, and education and research facilities. The NMNH mission is to promote understanding of the natural world and our place in it, thus inspiring curiosity, discovery, and learning about the natural world through its unparalleled research, collection, exhibitions, and education and outreach programs. The museum’s collections tell the history of the planet and are a record of human interaction with the environment and one another. Because of the boundless curiosity of NMNH researchers, the breadth and depth of the collection, and the ability to inspire future generations of scientists, the museum has a vital role to play. In the next decade, the museum will welcome 40 million people through its doors and engage millions more digitally. Through NMNH, people can both discover the world and learn to become better stewards of it. About the Smithsonian Institution Founded in 1846, the Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum and research complex of 21 museums and galleries, the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, and 14 education and research facilities. There are more than 6,500 Smithsonian employees, including approximately 500 scientists. The total number of objects, works of art and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at more than 157 million.