Sara E. and Bruce B. Collette Postdoctoral Fellowship in Systematic Ichthyology 2027

Applications are open for the Sara E. and Bruce B. Collette Postdoctoral Fellowship in Systematic Ichthyology 2027. The fellowship is offered through the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and supports full time, resident and independent research focused on the systematics of fishes, including comparative morphology, using the museum’s extensive fish collections.

The fellowship provides an opportunity for an early career researcher to conduct collections based research within the Division of Fishes at the National Museum of Natural History. The programme is designed to support the next generation of researchers working in collections based ichthyology while encouraging scholarly engagement with the museum’s researchers, collections, facilities and wider scientific community.

The fellowship is open to applicants from the United States and other countries. Successful applicants will undertake their research in person at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC and the Museum Support Center in Suitland, Maryland. The award lasts for one year, with the possibility of renewal.

About the Fellowship

The Sara E. and Bruce B. Collette Postdoctoral Fellowship was established to support postdoctoral research in collections based systematic ichthyology at the National Museum of Natural History. The fellowship is intended for researchers with a demonstrated record of research accomplishment and knowledge of the systematics of one or more groups of fishes.

The programme supports full time, resident and independent research. Fellows are expected to participate actively in scholarly activities within the Division of Fishes and contribute to collections based systematic ichthyology at both national and international levels.

Research within the Division of Fishes covers systematic revisions of species, genera and families, as well as higher classification and biogeography. Current research interests include marine fishes from the Caribbean and Indo Pacific regions, freshwater fishes from Southeast Asia, larval fish studies, ontogeny, reproductive morphology and studies of osteology and myology.

Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed research would benefit from the collections and research resources available at the National Museum of Natural History.

Fellowship Benefits

• $65,000 annual stipend

• $5,000 annual research and travel allowance

• $5,000 annual health insurance allowance

• $1,000 one time relocation allowance

• One year fellowship with possibility of renewal

• Access to the National Museum of Natural History fish collections

• Access to specialized research facilities and scientific equipment

• Opportunity to work with researchers in the Division of Fishes

• Opportunity to participate in scholarly activities and collections based research

• Research environment at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

The standard one year award package totals $75,000, with the relocation allowance provided in addition to the listed $75,000 package.

Research Environment

Fellows will have access to the extensive collections and facilities of the Division of Fishes. The collection contains more than 6 million individual specimens representing over 975,000 lots. More than half of the collection has been computer catalogued and is available through an online searchable database.

Research facilities include radiographic and light photography systems, microCT, molecular laboratory facilities, scanning electron microscopes and digital imaging resources. Researchers can also access a specialized Fishes library containing more than 8,000 volumes, together with archives of illustrations, maps, photographs and other research materials.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants may be citizens of the United States or other countries

• Applicants must have a proven record of research accomplishment

• Applicants must have knowledge of the systematics of one or more groups of fishes

• All formal PhD requirements must be completed before the fellowship begins

• The proposed research should relate to systematic ichthyology

• Applicants should demonstrate strong research productivity, creativity and ability to engage with the scientific community

• Applicants should clearly demonstrate how they would use the fish collection resources of the National Museum of Natural History

• The fellowship must begin between February 2, 2027 and June 7, 2027

Priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate strong alignment with systematic ichthyology and make effective use of the collections and research resources available at the museum.

Required Application Materials

• Curriculum Vitae including education, expertise, achievements, honours, publications and a brief description of research interests

• Up to three recent publications submitted as PDF files

• Research proposal

• Abstract of the proposed research

• Research timetable with milestones and estimated travel dates

• Research budget and justification

• Two letters of reference

• Identification of a principal fellowship advisor from the NMNH Fish Division staff or affiliated staff

• Identification of an alternate or co advisor

The research proposal should explain the methodology, importance of the research to the broader discipline, relevance to the applicant’s scholarly goals and the justification for conducting the research at the Smithsonian using the resources of the Division of Fishes.

The abstract should be no more than 250 words. The main research proposal is limited to three double spaced pages, including figures, using 11 point type. The bibliography may be up to two pages. The budget should cover equipment, supplies, research related travel and other research support, excluding the stipend and relocation allowance.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on the quality and relevance of the proposed research and the applicant’s research record. Strong applications should present clear research objectives, appropriate methodology and a convincing explanation of why the Smithsonian collections are important for completing the proposed work.

Priority will be given to applicants whose proposals demonstrate:

• Strong relevance to systematic ichthyology

• High research productivity

• Creativity and scholarly potential

• Strong interaction with the research community

• Effective use of the National Museum of Natural History fish collections

• Clear justification for conducting the proposed research at the Smithsonian

How to Apply

1. Review the fellowship requirements and ensure that your proposed research aligns with systematic ichthyology and the resources of the National Museum of Natural History.
2. Identify a member of the NMNH Fish Division staff or affiliated staff who can serve as your principal fellowship advisor.
3. Identify a second staff member who can serve as an alternate or co advisor.
4. Prepare your CV, recent publications, research proposal, timetable, budget and other required materials.
5. Arrange for two referees to submit their letters of reference through the online application system.
6. Create an account or log in to the Smithsonian online internship application system known as SOLAA.
7. Select the National Museum of Natural History as the office or research centre.
8. Search for the Collette Postdoctoral Fellowship in Systematic Ichthyology.
9. Select the programme and complete the online application.
10. Submit the complete application by November 20, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.

The fellowship is an opportunity for researchers in systematic ichthyology to conduct independent collections based research within the Smithsonian environment while gaining access to exceptional fish collections, research facilities and scientific expertise. Applicants should ensure that their research proposal clearly demonstrates why the National Museum of Natural History is the appropriate environment for the proposed work.