Postdoctoral Researcher - Women in Science

Company: Field Museum
Location: Chicago
Posted on: February 17, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Position: Postdoctoral Researcher - Women in Science FLSA Status: Exempt Department: Negaunee Integrative Research Our Mission: Since the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, our organization has aimed to connect people to the natural environment and human history. Join our team and enjoy a benefits package that truly supports your well-being and lifestyle: Comprehensive Health Coverage: Including medical, dental, vision plans, and even pet insurance. Financial Security: Life and disability benefits plus a 403(b) savings plan to help you plan for the future. Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off, paid sick leave, and paid holidays to ensure you have time to recharge and spend with loved ones. Exclusive Perks: Enjoy great employee discounts and complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions. We're dedicated to enhancing your life both at work and beyond! Uncovering Hidden Biodiversity: Systematic and Paleoecological Analysis of the Eocene Flora from Fossil Lake, Green River Formation. This position offers an exciting opportunity to investigate plant biodiversity and systematics within the exceptionally preserved Eocene Fossil Lake deposits of the Green River Formation. The successful candidate will focus on the identification, description, and interpretation of fossil plants. The project integrates detailed taxonomic work with field-based collections, comparative morphology, and stratigraphic and paleoecological analyses. Duties and Responsibilities Conduct systematic and taxonomic analyses of fossil plant material from the Fossil Lake deposits, including description, identification, and comparative assessment with extant and fossil taxa. Analyze patterns of plant diversity, abundance, and preservation to address paleoecological and paleoenvironmental questions within Eocene lacustrine systems. Participate in fieldwork at Fossil Lake and related Green River Formation localities, including fossil collection, stratigraphic documentation, and contextual data recording. Manage and curate fossil plant specimens and associated data in coordination with museum collections standards. Contribute to manuscript preparation, conference presentations, and dissemination of research results to both scientific and public audiences. Assist in mentoring and training undergraduate and graduate students, including students from groups historically underrepresented in STEM fields. Mentorship and Expectations The position includes structured mentorship and professional development under a formal mentoring plan. The researcher is expected to lead and co-author peer-reviewed publications arising from the project. Active participation in the intellectual life of The Field Museum, including seminars, collaborative research, and on-site activities, is expected. The position is based at The Field Museum in Chicago. Required Qualifications PhD in Paleobotany, Paleontology, Botany, Geology, or a closely related discipline. Demonstrated experience in fossil plant taxonomy and systematics. Field experience with fossil plant collection and stratigraphic or sedimentological context. Familiarity with Eocene floras and/or Paleogene terrestrial ecosystems. Strong written and verbal communication skills and a record of scholarly productivity. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment. Supervision Received: Receives general supervision from the Negaunee Associate Curator of Paleobotany Supervision Exercised: The position has no direct supervisory responsibilities. Work Hours and Shift: 35 hours Hybrid Eligibility: Not eligible Location: 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60605 Union Representation: This position is represented by Field Museum Workers’ United, AFSCME Council 31, AFL-CIO. Pay Range: $61,461.58/Annually PLEASE READ: *When you apply for multiple positions, please make sure to delete your previous resume and cover letter and upload the latest version of your resume and cover letter that is relevant to the job you are applying for, every time you apply. This will help our hiring managers access the correct documents. Please note that removing the resume and cover letter will not delete any previously submitted resumes and cover letters. The Field Museum is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination, embracing diversity, and fostering mutual respect. We value the unique perspectives each team member brings, which empowers our ability to innovate and overcome challenges. At the Field Museum, we are dedicated to making our career website and recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you encounter any difficulty when using or accessing our online application, or if you need a reasonable accommodation for completing your application, participating in interviews, or any other part of the selection process, please reach out to us at recruitment@fieldmuseum.org.

Keywords: Field Museum, Carol Stream , Postdoctoral Researcher - Women in Science, Science, Research & Development , Chicago, Illinois