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Job Title

CSFA-Postdoctoral Researcher

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Anthropology

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Glimpse of the Job

The Center for the Study of the First Americans (CSFA) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to assist with the CSFA’s megafauna extinctions project. At the end of the Pleistocene 32 genera of large-bodied mammals went extinct in North America. The timing of this extinction event is unclear because only a few reliable radiocarbon ages exist for individual genera. The primary aim of the project is to obtain hundreds of radiocarbon ages across North America for as many genera as possible. At a minimum, the project’s desire is to build an extinction chronology for the most common megafauna including mammoth, mastodon, horse, camel, sloth, saber-toothed cat, and dire wolf. CSFA will also date other genera if specimens are available. After a chronology is established, the cause of the extinction of these animals can be explored. For all dated specimens, carbon and nitrogen isotopes will be collected.

This position requires that the Postdoctoral Researcher be able to work independently under the supervision of the PI.

Opportunities to Contribute:

+ Travel to museums and other archives to collect samples for radiocarbon dating.

+ Identify fossils of interest, then use a near-IR spectrometer to determine if collagen is present. If present, collect a sample for radiocarbon dating.

+ Maintain a catalog of samples and dates and analyze the ages and isotope data from the collected samples.

+ Travel to various museums, archives, and archaeological sites to retrieve samples.

+ Support the PI in the preparation of reports and publication of data findings

Qualifications

+ PhD in Anthropology

+ Ability to travel extensively to various location for sample collection

+ Ability to identify bones of extinct animals to genera.

+ Ability to collect samples for dating and isotope analysis.

A well-qualified candidate will also possess:

+ Extensive experience operating a LabSpec 4 NIR spectrometer and Unscrambler software.

Salary: Compensation will be commensurate based on the selected candidate’s education and experience.

Hybrid/Remote Work Option: Due to the nature of this position, a hybrid or remote work arrangement may be available for workplace flexibility.

Special Note: Due to this position’s salary having all or a portion of it being funded by grants or contracts, the continuing salary and overall employment is contingent upon availability of these funds in the future.

What You Need to Do

Apply! Submit a resume/cv and cover letter. These documents will help us with the review process. You may upload these documents on the application under CV/Resume.

Why Texas A&M University?

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

Anthropology, in the College of Arts and Sciences, is the study of what it means to be human in the broadest sense, through an examination of culture and society (sociocultural and linguistic anthropology), the biology and evolution of humans and our closest relatives (biological anthropology) and the study of past human communities and material culture (archaeology). Students develop an appreciation of the value of physical and cultural differences at the local, national, and global levels, and learn critical thinking skills that support them in their careers.

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration. Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you. Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.

+ Medical, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/medical/) prescription drug, dental, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/dental/) vision, life and AD&D, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/life-add/) flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/long-term-disability/) with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

+ 12-15 days (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/index.html) of annual paid holidays

+ Up to eight hours of paid sick leave (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/sick.html) and at least eight hours of paid vacation (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/vacation.html) each month

+ Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (https://www.trs.texas.gov/Pages/Homepage.aspx)

+ Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time (https://flourish.tamu.edu/wellness-release-time/)

+ Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning (https://linkedinlearning.tamu.edu/) training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more

+ Educational release time and tuition assistance (https://livingwell.tamu.edu/employee-tuition-assistance) for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

+ Living Well, (https://livingwell.tamu.edu/) a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.