Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programs
AMNH Postdoctoral Fellowships support early-career scientists in collaborative research across core museum disciplines, with special opportunities in ornithology, genomics, and more.
Funder: American Museum of Natural History
Due Dates (Anticipated): November 2026 (Main Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program) | November 2026 (Frank M. Chapman Memorial Fund – Ornithology)
Funding Amounts: Postdoctoral Fellowship: ~$71,181/year for 2 years; Chapman (Ornithology): variable stipend and research budget; co-funding available for select topics.
Summary: Supports early-career scientists to conduct collaborative, time-limited research in key scientific fields at the Museum, with special fellowships for avian systematics and opportunities for co-funding.
Description
The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) offers competitive Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programs designed to advance the training of early-career scientists through specific research projects conducted in collaboration with Museum professionals. Projects must align with one or more of the Museum’s main research areas: Anthropology, Invertebrate Zoology, Paleontology, Physical Sciences (Astrophysics and Earth & Planetary Sciences), or Vertebrate Zoology. Fellows benefit from the Museum's state-of-the-art facilities, world-class collections, and the expertise of curators and scientific staff. Appointments typically last two years and require fellows to work onsite. Applicants are encouraged to contact potential curatorial sponsors prior to applying.
Specialized fellowships, such as the Frank M. Chapman Memorial Fund, support research in avian systematics, evolution, and biogeography, while additional co-funding is available for projects in genomics, North American fauna, and marine life. The program is highly competitive and open to both U.S. and international candidates who have recently completed or are about to complete their doctoral degree.
