Entomologist (Postdoctoral Research Fellow) IS-0414-11

OPEN DATE: September 17, 2026 CLOSING DATE: October 8, 2026 (This job will close once 100 applications are received, which may be sooner than the closing date). POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary (Not to Exceed 2 years) SCHEDULE: Full Time DUTY LOCATION: Washington, D.C. SALARY RANGE: $85,447.00 to $85,447.00 The salary range listed above reflects the Museum's authorized salary range for this position. Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Open to all qualified applicants

What are Trust Fund Positions? Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated. • Complete a Probationary Period. • Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer. • The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply. • Applicants who are actively pursuing their doctoral degree must provide their official transcript as proof of the degree confirmation before an entry on-duty date.

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 invites applicants for the position of Postdoctoral Researcher, as part of a project focused on mass digitization of insect pollinating species in the NMNH collections. As part of this project, the position will focus on insect pollinator comparative genomics.

Excellent leadership and considerable judgment skills are necessary to plan work, refine methods, and develop workflows for successful completion of the research. The successful candidate will be expected to present research results at professional meetings. The candidate must ensure that generated data are validated, analyzed, documented, shared with partners, and deposited in public repositories. They will write peer-reviewed scientific papers in collaboration with NMNH and other partners. The successful candidate will be expected to participate in other NMNH activities, such as education and outreach activities.

Full-time, 2-year temporary appointment with full Smithsonian benefits to be filled at the IS-11 level, equivalent to Federal GS-11.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Perform DNA extraction and preparation for whole genome sequencing using the laboratory faculties provided by the NMNH Laboratories of Analytical Biology. • Assemble and annotate resulting genomes. • Analyze the comparative phylogeny and evolution of select genes, looking for evidence of positive selection, gene loss or duplication, gene family expansion, and other functional genomic differences between pollinator lineages • Analyze the evolution of phenotypic (physical) and behavioral traits involved with pollination within the context of their genomic characteristics and phylogenetic history. • Use results to support presentations at scientific conferences, public education and outreach activities, and the writing of peer-reviewed research publications.