Position Information Recruitment/Posting Title Post Doctoral Associate Department Ecology, Evolutn & Ntrl Rescrc Salary Details $63,968 Offer Information The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent. Benefits Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, based on position, which includes: Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options Employee and dependent educational benefits Life insurance coverage Employee discounts programs For detailed information on benefits and eligibility, please visit: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview . Posting Summary We are seeking a highly motivated researcher to conduct research on vertebrate functional morphology and evolution. The focus will be on the functional and biomechanical drivers and underpinnings of secondarily aquatic transformations in amniotes and their terrestrial ancestors, ideally from a postcranial lens.

Project Tasks include:

1)

Comparative Morphology and Machine Learning:

Apply shape-correspondence and machine-learning approaches, including spectral/graph-based surface alignment and autoencoder-based shape extraction, to compare limb and joint morphology across independent origins of aquatic locomotion. 2)

Phylogenetic and Evolutionary Analysis:

Use phylogenetic comparative methods to test whether limb reduction in aquatic lineages follows a constrained developmental sequence and to model the evolution of body size using bounded evolutionary models. 3)

Biomechanical and Hydrodynamic Modeling:

Apply computational fluid dynamics to test hydrodynamic hypotheses related to limb loss, limb retention, and body shape, including effects on vortex shedding and lift generation. Position Status Full Time Posting Number 26FA0713 Posting Open Date 08/17/2026 Posting Close Date 08/28/2026 Qualifications Minimum Education and Experience Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology, Earth Sciences, Anatomy and Physiology, or other paleontological field. Certifications/Licenses Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Skills in computational fluid dynamics, geometric morphometrics or 3D shape analysis, and kinematics. Preferred Qualifications Strong backgrounds in vertebrate and functional morphology, paleontology, biomechanics, comparative anatomy, and phylogenetics Equipment Utilized Physical Demands and Work Environment Overview The School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, located on the George H. Cook Campus, is one of the undergraduate schools of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. We pursue excellence in research, teaching, and outreach in areas of study that address the biological spectrum from molecules to ecosystems. Our emphasis is on both the fundamental sciences and the social and human dimensions. We offer 21undergraduate majors, including plant and animal sciences, microbiology, biotechnology, agricultural business and food systems, landscape architecture, food and nutritional sciences, ecology and evolution, marine science and oceanography, environmental sciences and meteorology, human ecology, entomology, and environmental economics. Statement Posting Details Special Instructions to Applicants The initial appointment is 2-years and extendable based on the candidate's performance and funding availability. Quick Link to Posting Campus Rutgers University-New Brunswick Home Location Campus Cook (RU-New Brunswick) City New Brunswick State NJ Location Details Pre-employment Screenings All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings. Immunization Requirements Under Policy 100.3.1 , if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: