Applications call for Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Postdoctoral Fellowship 2021

Through a generous founding gift from Edward O. Wilson, Faculty-Curator Emeritus and University Research Professor Emeritus, and with support from additional donors, the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ) at Harvard University has established the E.O. Wilson Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. Basically, this program supports postdoctoral researchers at MCZ to pursue the discovery and formal taxonomic description of Earth’s animal species.

Fellows of Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Postdoctoral Fellowship will work under the supervision of one or more MCZ faculty-curators, who will provide office space, access to lab facilities, and necessary research support. In addition to that, the program aims to achieve broad taxonomic coverage and is not restricted to any particular taxon. At this time, the selection of fellows will give priority to candidates who work on living species.

Eligibility

Candidates must have the following qualifications to be eligible for Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Postdoctoral Fellowship

• A Ph.D. with relevant research experience in taxonomy and/or systematics is required.
• All formal requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed before the start of the fellowship, though degree receipt may be forthcoming.
• The EOW fellowship program is open to both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens.
• Where appropriate, proposed research should utilize an integrative approach that combines several data types in crafting solutions to taxonomic problems.
• Applicants need to identify at least one faculty-curator who has agreed to supervise the fellowship.

Terms and Conditions

• A stipend of $55,000/year.
• Benefits-eligible.
• Research and travel allowance of $4,000/year.
• Start date flexible, but within 12 months of the extended fellowship offer.
• Maximum two-year appointment, with funding for year 2 contingent upon successful performance during year 1.
• Residence in the Cambridge area is necessary.
• Relocation allowance negotiable after the fellowship awarded.

Application Review

Applications will be reviewed by a committee of Harvard faculty. The likelihood that the proposed work will result in the discovery and formal taxonomic description of animal species will be a critical consideration in the selection process. Moreover, preference will be given to applicants not currently affiliated with Harvard University, and to those who have received their doctoral degree within the previous three years.

Submission through Harvard Academic Recruiting Information eSystem (ARieS).