About this role
The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC) include the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park and La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park. They operate under the collective vision to inspire wonder, discovery, and responsibility for our natural and cultural worlds. The museums hold one of the world’s most extensive and valuable collections of natural and cultural history—more than 35 million objects—used for groundbreaking scientific and historical research, and community engagement. From NHM’s opening in 1913 as the very first museum in Los Angeles, the organization has entered an exciting new era of transformation with building projects and campaigns, exhibitions, community outreach and impactful audience engagement.
NHMLAC’s values—adventurous, inclusive, authentic, and intentional—guide our work and visitor experience, committing us to foster a welcoming, safe and respectful workplace environment where innovation and collaboration thrive and every team member can contribute their unique perspectives to advance our mission. NHMLAC seeks candidates who are aligned with our values and priorities, and are passionate about connecting science with the vibrant and diverse communities we serve throughout Los Angeles.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Arachnology collection to work directly with Dr. Rodrigo Monjaraz-Ruedas on integrative systematics, phylogenomics and spatial phylogenetics of soft spiders in the California Floristic Province. The successful candidate will contribute to a vibrant, research environment and pursue independent and collaborative research as a vital component of professional development. This position emphasizes the generation and analysis of phylogenomic datasets for short-range endemics, with particular focus on spiders of the family Cybaeidae, and may also include other arachnid groups. The postdoctoral fellow will join a collaborative project involving communication and research activities with the Hedin Lab at San Diego State University, and possibly other institutions. The position is initially for one year, with the possibility of extension to a second year based on satisfactory progress.
Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:
Participate in fieldwork and specimen-based research
Leading role in analyzing and developing research projects with integrative systematics and phylogenomics of spiders.
Obtaining, curating, and analyzing phylogenomic datasets (mostly UCEs).
Preparing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
Supporting the day-to-day collection activities in digitization, databasing and identification.
Support in workshops for Spider identification and Phylogenomics.
Supporting training activities within the lab and contributing to a collaborative research culture.
Present research findings at conferences, seminars, and other academic venues
Performing other job-related duties as assigned in support of the lab’s research mission.
This position has the following requirements:
Ph.D. in Biology or a related field
Strong background in evolutionary biology, phylogenomics, phylogeography, and/or population genomics
Relevant publication record in peer-reviewed journals
Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team
Proficiency in English
Desired Qualifications:
Experience with phylogenomics, bioinformatics, or evolutionary genomics.
Experience with arachnids or other terrestrial arthropods
Experience with fieldwork and biodiversity collections
Experience with DNA isolation and Library Preparation
NHMLAC is a nonprofit organization committed to fostering a workplace and public environment that uplifts Kindness, Fairness, Openness and Dignity. These values extend not only to our employees, but to our guests, local community, and organizational partners. If you are interested in this position, we encourage you to apply!
The position is full-time temporary and has an annual salary of $71,000.00 plus full-time benefits. The primary location for this job is at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, in Exposition Park in Los Angeles.
Application Materials:
Applicants should submit the following documents through the Museum’s employment site at https://nhm.org/careers-our-museums/careers-natural-history-museum.
1. Cover letter describing research interests, relevant experience, and fit for the position
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Contact information for three references
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Applicants and employees are invited to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made to assist them to perform the essential functions of the position they seek or occupy. The incumbent must be able to perform this job safely, with reasonable accommodation if necessary, without endangering the health or safety of him/her/themself or others.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Please contact [email protected] for any application inquiries.
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