December 18, 2023

NPS: Scientists in Parks Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunities

In partnership with the National Park Foundation (NPF), the National Park Service (NPS) administers the Scientists in Parks (SIP) Fellowship Program that was established to support advanced postdoc science researchers who address urgent natural resource challenges facing national parks. In collaboration with parks, the incoming cohort of six Fellows will conduct innovative research that makes a meaningful impact on the preservation of America’s parks. Pivotal research findings will inform future management actions taken by the NPS and other natural resource agencies and advance regional, national, and global conservation.

SIP Fellows will be funded for three years, which will provide time to conduct innovative research and work closely with NPS employees and other natural resource partners. The fellowship is especially impactful because it includes a communication component to ensure major research findings are communicated to key partners, as well as the public, so that optimal conservation benefits are achieved. If you’re a recent postdoc with a passion for nature and parks and want to use your expertise to advance conservation, we encourage you to apply!

Application Deadline: open to the first 75 applicants per position or until March 24, 2024, whichever comes first. Please consult individual postings for details. This deadline was extended from January 28th.

Salary and Benefits: Salary is $68,000 with 5.4% increase each year following Year 2. Fellows will be provided with a research and travel budget up to $15,000 annually. The sponsoring institution will receive $20,000 annually for expenses including faculty advisor, lab expenses, and overhead.

Tenure: The fellowship is 3 years, beginning on or about June 2024 and ending April 2027.

Location: All fellowships are remote but may require travel to the park units for field research.

Eligibility: Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents and have a PhD in natural or social sciences received between May 1, 2019 and June 2024. Applicants must demonstrate comfort with working collaboratively and across disciplinary boundaries; excellent research, writing, and communication skills; flexibility and the capacity to learn quickly; and a strong interest in public scholarship. Selective factors include the merit of scholarship and promise, demonstrated capacity to complete research successfully, and commitment to science communication. The Fellowship is contingent upon a successful security background check. See individual job listings for additional, fellowship-specific requirements.

Please see here for the application guidelines, host sites/position descriptions, FAQs, and contact information.

Note the projects “Conserving Northwest Forests At Risk from Emerging Threats” and “Decision-Making in the Sagebrush Steppe Informed by an Ecosystem Services Approach” are relevant to the PNW!