Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Vertebrate Evolution

Details

Title Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Vertebrate Evolution

School Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Department/Area Organismic and Evolutionary Biology

Position Description

The Stephanie E. Pierce Laboratory at Harvard University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Vertebrate Evolution. We are conducting an intellectually broad search to recruit an exceptional scientist with bold ideas that challenge, transform, or expand our understanding of vertebrate evolutionary history. Rather than hiring for a pre-defined project, we invite candidates to submit original research proposals. We are seeking innovative ideas that either complement expertise currently in the lab or strategically extend our research into new conceptual, empirical, or analytical areas. Projects that have potential to attract external funding streams are highly encouraged.

This position is open to research spanning any vertebrate group (extinct or extant), any geological time period, and any major evolutionary event or transition. Projects may range from deeply focused empirical and experimental studies to big-data modeling and high-throughput computational frameworks. Methods development and integration of AI tools into analytical workflows is also of interest.

We welcome and encourage research proposals across all areas of evolutionary biology, including but not limited to:

• Systematics, Phylogenetics, and Macroevolution: phylodynamics and rate of evolution, diversification and extinction, phylogenetic comparative methods, fossil-extant-molecular integration, etc.

• Phenome Evolution: high-throughput phenomics, complex trait dynamics, morphometrics, body plan evolution, etc.

• Functional and Biomechanical Evolution: musculoskeletal modeling, movement mechanics in locomotion and feeding, behavior performance, etc.

• Embryogenesis and Development: comparative developmental biology, morphogenesis, growth trajectories, cellular patterning, gene expression, etc.

• Histology and Materials Evolution: mineralized tissue microstructures, bone and soft tissue histology, biomaterial mechanics, musculoskeletal evolution, etc.

• Paleoecology, Diet, and Climate: dietary reconstruction, trophic ecology, niche evolution, paleoecological modeling, and biotic responses to historical climate shifts or extinction events.

• Isotope and Geochemical Analysis: stable isotope signatures, geochemical proxies, and environmental reconstructions.

A central component of the application is a 3-page Research Proposal (excluding references). The proposal should outline an ambitious research vision and must explicitly address:

• The primary research questions, hypotheses, experimental/analytical design, and expected impact.

• How the proposed project either complements and enhances current expertise in the Pierce Lab or extends the lab’s work into new scientific or technical domains.

Basic Qualifications

• Ph.D. in evolutionary biology, paleontology, vertebrate anatomy, functional/developmental morphology, biomechanics, paleoecology, geochemistry, or a related discipline (completed prior to the start date).

• A strong track record of scientific achievement demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications and international conference presentations.

• Technical proficiency in quantitative, experimental, computational, or analytical methods relevant to the proposed research.

Position is available for an initial 1-year appointment; reappointment is contingent on performance and funding.

Additional Qualifications

Special Instructions

Candidates should submit the following materials:

• Cover Letter: Outlining your scientific background, overall research trajectory, and suitability for the position.

• Curriculum Vitae: Full CV including complete publication list.

• Research Proposal: 3 pages maximum (plus references), highlighting project goals and synergy/expansion relative to Pierce Lab expertise.

• Representative Publications: Up to four examples of published or accepted papers.

• References: Names and contact information for three professional references.

Application review will start December 15, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

Contact Information

Questions about the position should be addressed to Prof. Stephanie E. Pierce ([email protected] (https://www.google.com/search?q=mailto%3Aspierce%40oeb.harvard.edu&authuser=1) ).

Contact Email [email protected]

Salary Range

$67,600-$80,000

Pay offered to the selected candidate is dependent on factors such as years of experience, training or qualification, field of scholarship, and accomplishments in the field.

Minimum Number of References Required 3

Maximum Number of References Allowed 3

Keywords

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Supplemental Questions