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Postdoctoral Scholar-Fixed Term

Michigan State University(MSU)

East Lansing, MIFull-time$65K/yrSeen 5 days agoSeen in employer's feed 5 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$65K/yr
Location
East Lansing, MI
Role Type
Research
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

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Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Doctorate

Job overview

The Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow will develop a research program bridging the interests of at least two EEB core faculty members and contribute a community engagement initiative. The two-year position is subject to review after one year and begins between June 1 and September 1, 2027. Candidates must complete a Ph.D. by the start date and contact potential faculty mentors before applying.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Academic ResearchResearch Program DevelopmentCommunity EngagementEcologyEvolutionBehavior

Qualifications

Ph.D. By Start DateStrong Motivation for Academic ResearchPeer-Review PublicationsExceptional Research PotentialContact Potential Faculty MentorsThree References

Benefits

Relocation Assistance

Full job description

Working/Functional Title Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow ### Position Summary We encourage applications from candidates in any early career stage, from finishing Ph.D. students to current postdoctoral scholars. Current MSU EEB graduate students and postdocs are eligible to apply; however, they should make clear in their application materials how the proposed Presidential Postdoc research plan would represent a new direction for them. There are two main functions of this fellowship: - RESEARCH PROGRAM: The Fellow will be a fully participating member of EEB at MSU and will be expected to have a cutting-edge research program that bridges the interests of two or more EEB core faculty members. A list of possible faculty members available to mentor the chosen candidate is available to review online. Candidates are required to contact potential faculty mentors before applying, as each faculty mentor will need to fill out a sponsor form for applicants to be considered. - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: The Fellow will also contribute to the EEB community via a community engagement initiative. The proposed initiative is up to the discretion of the applicant; possible ideas include (but are not limited to): a professional development workshop for current EEB grad students and postdocs; a co-working group; an EEB grad/postdoc-led working group that leads to a published outcome. The Fellows research stipend may also be used to support the community engagement initiative. The Fellow should consult with their prospective mentors during development of their proposed Community Engagement plan and they should explain in their application materials how their Community Engagement initiative would benefit the EEB community. Applicants are welcome to continue previous successful Community Engagement initiatives. The position is for two years, subject to review after one year, and will begin between June 1 and September 1, 2027. The role has a starting annual salary of $65,000 plus benefits, as well as a research stipend of $8,000 per year. Up to $1,000 of moving expenses may be reimbursed from the research stipend in the first year. A summary of available benefits to faculty, academic and support staff is available for applicants to review. For the most up to date information on the position, please visit the MSU EEB Website for more details. ### Equal Employment Opportunity Statement All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status. ### Required Degree Doctorate ### Minimum Requirements Candidates will have completed a Ph.D. degree by the position start date. Candidates must have strong motivation for academic research. ### Desired Qualifications Candidates will be expected to propose a cutting-edge research programthat bridges the interests of two or more EEB core faculty members. They should have peer-review publications and demonstrate exceptional potential for research success in ecology, evolution, and/or behavior. ### Required Application Materials Applicants will need to enter the contact information for three references willing to write letters of recommendation on behalf of the candidate. MSU HR will contact references directly for selected applicants. Each faculty sponsor (not the applicant) should fill out the sponsorform to indicate their support for the candidate's application, how the candidate's research will integrate into the fac

How this job compares

Set against the 558 open Postdoctoral Fellow jobs on Olive Jobs, counted October 27, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$65K/yr
  • US median$73–80K/yr367 salary ranges

This rate, $65K, is 15% below the US median midpoint ($76K) — in the lowest quarter of Postdoctoral Fellow salary ranges across the US.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 558 open Postdoctoral Fellow jobs across the US. Under 1% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most across the US
Experience
Postdoctoral Fellow postings that state a minimum ask for 2 years of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 1 to 3 years (49 postings).
Education
This posting asks for a doctorate or professional degree; 453 of the 558 open Postdoctoral Fellow jobs (81%) ask for a doctorate or professional degree.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on October 27, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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