Biodiversity Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant

The Biodiversity Postdoctoral Fellowship at Harvard University supports postdoctoral researchers at the Museum of Comparative Zoology to explore and formally describe Earth's animal species. The program encourages a wide taxonomic range and welcomes applications from both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens with a relevant Ph.D. Candidates must identify a supervising faculty-curator. This fellowship embodies a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in research and academia.

The Biodiversity Postdoctoral Fellowship program supports postdoctoral researchers at the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ) at Harvard University to pursue the discovery and formal taxonomic description of Earth’s animal species. Fellows will work under the supervision of one or more MCZ faculty-curators, who will provide office space, access to lab facilities and necessary research support. The program aims to achieve broad taxonomic coverage and is not restricted to any particular taxon, living or extinct. Applications from botanists working on plant-animal interactions are also welcome.
Originally designated as the E. O. Wilson Postdoctoral Fellowship (2019-2022), this program was initiated through generous seed funding by the late Faculty-Curator Emeritus and University Research Professor Emeritus, and with support from additional donors. The change in the name of this program reflects our commitment to encourage diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives as part of our core values. Memorial recognition awards disproportionately commemorate only a small fraction of scholars, typically those from privileged backgrounds, as well as individuals whose personal viewpoints may, with time, be at odds with the mission of the MCZ to foster a diverse and vibrant community of active zoologists, who feel supported, respected and able to do their best work.

Eligibility

A Ph.D. with relevant research experience in taxonomy and/or systematics is required.   All formal requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed before the start of the fellowship, though degree receipt may be forthcoming.   Open to both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens.   Applicants need to identify at least one faculty-curator who has agreed to supervise the fellowship.