Postdoctoral Scientist

Submitted: 11/13/2024
Submitted By: Shannon McFarlin
Department: Karisoke Research Center – Ellen DeGeneres Campus, Rwanda
Institution: Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
Job type: Postdoc
Apply by: 12/15/2024
Application Email: smcfarlin@gorillafund.org
Application URL:

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund seeks to recruit a full-time Postdoctoral Scientist to support an NIH-funded international collaborative project titled “Great apes and the evolutionary origins of long life: the influences of early life adversity on lifespan and individual frailty in wild chimpanzees and gorillas” (https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10936791). The overarching goal of this project is to examine how variation in prevalence of and resilience to early life adversity shapes the capacity to achieve long life spans in diverse environments, focusing on human’s closest living relatives. To accomplish this goal, this project leverages detailed life course data (including behavior, demography, ecology and physiology) from three of the most extensively studied populations of wild African great apes, which show differences in behavior, ecology and life span: Virunga mountain gorillas studied by the Fossey Fund’s Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda, and eastern chimpanzees studied by the Gombe Stream Research Center in Tanzania and the Kibale Chimpanzee Project in Uganda.

The Postdoctoral Scientist will join a productive and highly collaborative team of international and interdisciplinary researchers representing all three great ape study sites. Specifically, this position will support analyses of physiological biomarkers and their integration with other life course datasets. In the first year of the position, the ideal Candidate will spend time based at the University of Michigan in the U.S.A. and at the Fossey Fund’s Ellen DeGeneres Campus in Rwanda, and would work with Principal Investigators to lead validation and analyses of physiological biomarkers (e.g., measures of stress, inflammation, oxidative stress) from wild mountain gorillas. In subsequent years, more time would be spent engaged in research, data analysis and other activities based in Rwanda. Depending on the applicant’s skill set and interest, we also anticipate opportunities to participate in comparative analyses across study sites in subsequent years.

The ideal start date for this position is January-February 2025, with flexibility, and it is anticipated to last for up to three years subject to renewal of funds. To apply, please send an email to Dr. Shannon McFarlin (smcfarlin@gorillafund.org), including a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, but applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by December 15, 2024 for full consideration.

Minimum Qualifications:
– Completed PhD in biology, zoology, evolutionary anthropology or a related field, or anticipated PhD degree completion within six months of the start date.
– Strong skills in statistical analysis, including coding in R.
– Strong written and verbal communication skills.
– Strong organizational, project management, and record-keeping skills.
– Strong collaborative skills, and/or experience working as part of a diverse, multicultural and/or international team.
– Ability to travel, including extended periods based in Rwanda.

Desired Qualifications:
The following experience would be advantageous; candidates with one or more of these qualifications are especially encouraged to apply.
– Experience in quantification and analysis of physiological datasets from vertebrate animal populations (e.g., for characterization of stress physiology or other hormone biomarkers, physiological indicators of immune function, physiology of aging), especially experience with enzyme immunoassays (ELISA).
– Experience in the analysis of detailed longitudinal databases generated from vertebrate animal populations.
– Expertise in the behavioral ecology and/or physiology of social mammals (primates or other taxonomic groups).
– Demonstrated record of peer-review publication.

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.