The Living Earth Collaborative (https://livingearthcollaborative.wustl.edu/) and Department of Anthropology at Washington University in St. Louis (https://anthropology.artsci.wustl.edu/) are seeking a highly qualified and motivated postdoctoral research associate to join their Madagascar Initiative under the direction of Drs. Krista Milich and Emily Wroblewski.

This person will join our project studying diademed sifakas (Propithecus diadema) and black-and-white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata) in Madagascar (time will be split between Madagascar and St. Louis). The successful candidate will conduct behavioral observations and collect and process fecal samples for genetic analysis at two field sites in Madagascar, supervise students and research assistants at each, organize and analyze data, and write scientific manuscripts and grant applications. Applicants for this position should have experience with behavioral observations and conducting research at remote field sites. Preference will be given to applicants with previous experience working in Madagascar and/or studying lemurs. Proficiency in French and/or Malagasy is a plus, but not required.

The position is funded for two years, and the successful candidate will be expected to spend most of the first year in Madagascar and most of the second year in St. Louis. The start date for the position is somewhat flexible, but ideally between May and August 2020. Qualified candidates must hold a Ph.D. degree in Anthropology, Animal Behavior, Biology, Ecology, or a related field by the time of appointment. The selected candidate will be offered an initial contract for one year, with anticipated renewal for a second year based on satisfactory performance.

The position requires a substantial amount of data management and travel. In general, applicants should feel comfortable spending long days in the field collecting behavioral data and biological samples from lemurs, processing these samples, managing the various types of data being collected, and traveling internally in Madagascar. Similarly, they should feel comfortable analyzing data and writing scientific publications from the data collected while they are based in St. Louis. The postdoctoral fellow will be responsible for training and supervising teams of students and research assistants and should therefore have outstanding inter-personal communication, previous management experience, and excellent organizational skills.

Informal inquiries are welcome. Interested applicants should email application materials as one single PDF file saved with your first and last name to Krista Milich ([email protected]). Please include a cover letter (summarizing your research interests and goals, expertise, and relevant skills), CV, and contact information for three references in the PDF. Please put “Madagascar Initiative Postdoc” as the subject line of your email.

Review of applications will begin 1 February 2020 and will continue until the position is filled. Washington University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.