The Harvard University Herbaria Research Fellowship

The Harvard University Herbaria (HUH; http://huh.harvard.edu) invites nominations and direct applications for the Harvard University Herbaria Research Fellowship, a fellowship in plant and/or fungal science. We especially seek outstanding early-career scientists and collections professionals who see new opportunities and innovations for collections-based research. The goal of the program is to facilitate collections-based research using resources at the HUH which include more than five million specimens of algae, bryophytes, fungi, and vascular plants with complementary Libraries and Archives.  The collection includes herbarium sheet material of extant species as well as a paleobotanical and archaeobotanical collection and artifacts of economically important plants and fungi.

The HUH include six collections that, together, form one of the largest university herbarium collections in the world, and the third largest herbarium in the United States. With its state-of-the art research laboratories, computational facilities, and world class libraries, the HUH have been a centerpiece of biodiversity science. More information about the HUH can be found on its website http://huh.harvard.edu/.

Eligibility

Applications are sought from early career individuals in plant and fungal research. Applicants must have their Doctorate prior to initiating their term at the HUH. International candidates are welcome to apply.

Fellowship Details

The Harvard University Herbaria Research Fellowship is awarded for two years, with the second year of funding contingent upon successful performance during the first year. The fellowship in intended to enable the fellow to work independently under the mentorship of a Harvard University faculty member.

The Fellow must initiate their term at the HUH within one year of notification of award, but not prior to September 2021, and will be expected to be in full-time residence during their tenure.

The Harvard University Herbaria Fellowship provides a modest stipend commensurate with years of postdoctoral experience plus additional allowance for travel and research expenses.

Preference will be given to applicants not currently affiliated with Harvard University.

The application deadline is December 31, 2020; Application review will begin January 15, 2021.

Application Information

Fellowships are awarded through a competitive review process. To be considered for an award, online applications should be submitted via ARiES at http://academicpositions.harvard.edu/postings/9832 and include the following:

• Cover letter
• Research proposal. No longer than 4 pages, single-spaced, and should describe (i) the nature and scope of the proposed research project; (ii) the approach and methods to be employed; (iii) how the study would benefit from the use of the collections of the HUH; (iv) all laboratory and equipment requirements; and (v) the overall importance of the study. References should be included but do not count as part of the 4-page limit.
• Research budget. A modest budget is available for research and travel costs. Applicants should submit a simple, 1-page budget that itemizes the research and travel costs associated with the proposed project.
• Curriculum vitae
• Three references. Three letters of recommendation are required, and the application is complete only when all three letters have been received. Letters of recommendation are due within 3 weeks of the application submission, but no later than January 22, 2021.

Contact Information
 Inquiries may be made by email to Jeannette Everritt at jeverritt@oeb.harvard.edu.

Harvard University is 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, or any other characteristic protected by law.