Deadline: October 15, 2024
Applications are open for the Smithsonian Resilience and Sustainability Science Postdoctoral Fellowship 2025. Through the Resilience and Sustainability Fellowship, the Smithsonian seeks to support up to five post-doctoral fellows as they conduct independent research in support of the Smithsonian’s goals to understand and expand resilience. These fellows will be able to leverage the Smithsonian’s resources, including its scientists, collections, exhibits, and data sets, to advance scientific understanding resilience and sustainability in either marine or terrestrial systems.
All proposals are welcome, but proposals should focus on the resilience and sustainability connecting complex marine or terrestrial systems (e.g., forests, freshwater systems, soils, etc.) with the people who depend on these systems and the services these systems provide. By resilience, they mean the ability of people and nature to respond and/or adapt to external stressors. As such, proposals must address at least two of the following:
- Socio-environmental external stressors as drivers of change
- Socio-environmental factors that influence the ability to adapt or that convey resilience
- Adaptive strategies
- Adaptive responses/outcomes
Stipend
- Recipients will receive a stipend of $62,000 per year for Postdoctoral Fellows. Stipends are prorated for periods of less than 24 months. A maximum research allowance of $10,000 is available for the fellowship period.
Eligibility
- Applicants for Postdoctoral Fellowships must have or will have received the Ph.D. by the time the fellowship begins.
- Applicants must propose to conduct research in residence.
Selection Criteria
Selection criteria will include:
- Alignment with the theme of resilience, as described in this document
- Effective demonstration that proposed research is use-inspired
- Demonstrated interdisciplinary effort (e.g., through the external partner and other collaborators, inclusive of people and nature, innovative methodologies, etc.)
- Clear commitment to DEI
Application
The complete application should include the following information:
- A detailed research proposal (summary [one page]+ project description [5-page maximum]):
- The one-page project summary should provide an overview of the proposed research and broader impact. The project description should provide clear description of research and broader impact, and must not exceed a maximum 5 pages total, font size 12 pts, single spaced on 8 ½ x 11 paper size.
- The project description must include objectives, hypotheses or research question(s), experimental design, significance, and a broader impacts engagement plan.
- A max. 1 page information sheet about the proposed external advisor and their institution, and how this proposed research aligns with the institution’s goals.
- A detailed budget. The research/travel allowance is not expected to exceed $10,000.
- Bibliography: The References Cited section is limited to 3 pages.
- A Curriculum Vitae
- A max. 1 page diversity statement that aligns with Smithsonian (a statement that reflects your views and experience in working towards the goal of promoting a diverse, inclusive, collegial, and rigorous scientific workplace; and how these views relate to your research project and expected outcomes).
- Two letters of reference (should not be from your proposed co-advisors)
- Applicants must designate a staff member from STRI or NMNH to serve as a research advisor, and a secondary advisor from another institution or another Smithsonian Unit. Both the primary and secondary advisors must be consulted during the proposal construction process, and before the application is submitted.
For more information, visit Smithsonian Postdoctoral Fellowship.
