School    Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Department/Area    Organismic and Evolutionary Biology

Position Description    

The Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University invites applications or nominations for the Sarah and Daniel Hrdy Visiting Fellowship in Conservation Biology. The Hrdy Fellowship is open to researchers at any rank; we encourage applications from both established scientists as well as those who have recently received their Ph.D. The fellowship supports visits of either one or two semesters.

The Hrdy Fellowship is awarded to an individual who will engage in scientific study in the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology. Recipients of this fellowship are expected to have a strong and transformative effect on the study of conservation biology at Harvard University. Applicants from any research field within conservation biology are welcome to apply. Examples of previous Hrdy Fellows has included conservation paleobiology, marine evolution and conservation, conservation biology of amphibians and reptiles, and the impact of human activities on the environment. Information about previous fellows is available here: http://oeb.harvard.edu/hrdy-fellowship.

The Hrdy Fellowship award provides a stipend of up to $80,000 per year, depending on professional status, need, and duration of the fellowship. Modest support is also available for research and travel costs. Hrdy Fellows are ordinarily employees of Harvard University during their tenure and are eligible for health insurance benefits. Fellows must be in residence for the full term of the Fellowship. 

Primarily, the Hrdy Fellow is expected to engage in leading-edge research, where possible in collaboration with members of the Harvard community. Additional responsibilities include a public lecture by the Fellow in any area of conservation biology. Finally, the Fellow is required to teach a one-semester, seminar-style course aimed at upper-level undergraduates (for more information on teaching, contact OEB Chair Elena Kramer, at ekramer@oeb.harvard.edu).

Basic Qualifications    

Applications are sought from researchers whose work focuses on contemporary issues in conservation biology. Applicants should be well positioned to conduct original, independent research and to publish their findings in peer-reviewed publications. Applicants are required to be fluent in English and expected to have a record of effective teaching. Applicants are required to have a terminal degree by the start date of the position.

Additional Qualifications    

Special Instructions    

Application review will begin on October 1, 2019. Applicants should contact a faculty sponsor with whom they will collaborate, before applying. Interested individuals with general questions about the program may contact Christian Flynn at cflynn@fas.harvard.edu.
Fellowships are awarded through a competitive review process. To be considered for a fellowship, applicants should submit a concise proposal in PDF format that includes the following:

• Cover letter. The cover letter should clearly state (i) the applicant’s interest in the fellowship; (ii) the length of the term desired by the applicant and potential start-date; and (iii) the applicant’s contact information. 
• Research Statement. The statement should be no longer than 4 pages, single-spaced, and should clearly describe the research project. The statement should detail: (i) the nature and scope of the proposed research project, (ii) the approach and methods to be employed, (iii) how Harvard resources would be utilized, (iv) all laboratory and equipment requirements, and (v) how the project will advance knowledge about conservation biology. 
• Research Budget. A modest level of funding is available for research and travel costs. Applicants should submit a simple, one-page budget which itemizes the research and travel costs associated with the proposed project. 
• Curriculum vitae. 
• Three letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should clearly indicate the name, title, mailing address, phone, and email address of the person providing the recommendation. Letters may be sent under separate cover, provided they meet the deadline.

The selection of the Hrdy Fellow will be based on:

• The range and depth of the applicant’s education and professional experience. Applicants will be judged by his/her track record as an independent researcher and educator.
• The overall quality of the applicant’s research proposal. The applicant’s research proposal will be assessed with regard to the nature and scope of the work, the approach and methods to be employed, the feasibility of the project with respect to the term of the Fellowship, and the anticipated impact in the field of conservation biology.

The Sarah and Daniel Hrdy Fellowship in Conservation Biology is made possible by the generosity of Sarah and Daniel Hrdy.

Contact Information    

Interested individuals with general questions about the program may contact Christian Flynn at cflynn@fas.harvard.edu.

For information on teaching, contact OEB Chair Elena Kramer, at ekramer@oeb.harvard.edu

Contact Email    cflynn@fas.harvard.edu

Equal Opportunity Employer    

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.

Minimum Number of References Required    3
Maximum Number of References Allowed    5