Post Doc Research Scientist - Keller Science Action Center

Position: Postdoctoral Research Scientist

FLSA Status: Exempt

Department: Keller Science Action Center

Our Mission: Since the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, our organization has aimed to connect people to the natural environment and human history.

Join our team and enjoy a benefits package that truly supports your well-being and lifestyle:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Including medical, dental, vision plans, and even pet insurance.

• Financial Security: Life and disability benefits plus a 403(b) savings plan to help you plan for the future.

• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off, paid sick leave, and paid holidays to ensure you have time to recharge and spend with loved ones.

• Exclusive Perks: Enjoy great employee discounts and complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions.

We're dedicated to enhancing your life both at work and beyond!

The Guiana Shield in northeast Amazonia is home to some of the world’s most pristine tropical ecosystems, yet it faces escalating threats from human activities. This project builds on a rapid biodiversity survey in southern Guyana, aimed at supporting the establishment of a new protected area in the region, which serves as a vital corridor connecting the freshwater faunas of the Amazon and Essequibo basins. Using environmental DNA (eDNA) and a metacommunity approach, the project will investigate how human activities impact fish communities, identify the most vulnerable species and their ecological roles, and provide actionable recommendations for biodiversity conservation. The research project also aims at developing a socioecological framework to integrate Local Ecological Knowledge from the Kanashen Amerindian Protected Area (KAPA), Guyana’s only Indigenous-managed protected area, into conservation planning and management for the protection of biodiversity.

We seek PhD-level candidates demonstrating prior experience in integrating different actors and forms of knowledge into their work, collecting and analyzing eDNA data in tropical aquatic ecosystems, performing community ecology and biodiversity distribution modeling analyses, as well as competency with at least one scripting language (e.g. Python, R). The candidate will join an interdisciplinary team of ecologists and social environmental scientists studying biodiversity and community well-being in the Guiana Shield and experience working in the Guiana Shield is expected. The selected candidate is expected to demonstrate leadership ability in organizing field expeditions. In addition, the candidate will assist the PIs with the guidance and training of students.

The successful candidate will work with Senior Conservation Ecologist Lesley de Souza and eDNA Research Scientist Sophie Picq. This is a two-year contract, and the candidate is expected to conduct research at the Field Museum. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.

Please contact Lesley de Souza ldesouza@fieldmuseum.org) about any questions and apply online at https://www.fieldmuseum.org/about/careers. Complete application materials include a statement of interest, CV, and contact information of 3 professional references. Review of applications will begin on August 25, 2025 and continue until the position is filled.

Supervision Received:

Receives general supervision by Senior Conservation Ecologist

Supervision Exercised:

The position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Work Hours and Shift:

Monday- Friday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm

Hybrid Eligibility:

Not eligible

Location:

1400 S DuSable Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605

Union Representation: This position is represented by Field Museum Workers’ United, AFSCME Council 31, AFL-CIO.

Pay Range: $65,000/Annually

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The Field Museum is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination, embracing diversity, and fostering mutual respect. We value the unique perspectives each team member brings, which empowers our ability to innovate and overcome challenges.

At the Field Museum, we are dedicated to making our career website and recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you encounter any difficulty when using or accessing our online application, or if you need a reasonable accommodation for completing your application, participating in interviews, or any other part of the selection process, please reach out to us at recruitment@fieldmuseum.org.