Postdoctoral Researcher, Indigenous Science

About the California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world‑class planetarium, aquarium, research center, and natural history museum—all under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.

Our extensive collections span plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. We are a diverse team of leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who work collaboratively to advance knowledge and inspire action through science and storytelling.

When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission‑driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. Whether you’re working behind the scenes in research or engaging the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it.

The California Academy of Sciences seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher in California Indigenous Science to join an innovative project within the Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability (IBSS). Reporting to Dr. Shannon Tushingham, Associate Curator of Anthropology, the candidate will co‑design and implement a braided science program that integrates Indigenous knowledge and Western methods.

Drawing on archaeological, ethnographic, oral history, and specimen‑based phenology data, they will investigate climate‑driven ecological changes in collaboration with culture‑bearers—documenting and applying traditional ecological knowledge—while partnering with Indigenous communities to co‑develop research objectives, methods, and outreach that honor local protocols, and contributing to peer‑reviewed publications, scientific and public presentations, and both in‑person and online educational programs.

This full‑time, two‑year appointment requires a PhD, a strong publication record or equivalent community‑engagement achievements, demonstrated success in ethical, community‑based research with Indigenous partners, experience securing external funding, mentorship of students, and public outreach leadership.

Based primarily onsite at our Golden Gate Park campus in San Francisco, the role includes regular travel to regional communities for relationship‑building, fieldwork coordination, data collection, analysis, and dissemination, and is renewable based on research progress and funding availability.

Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy has a new strategic plan including three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every qualification for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. The specific onsite/hybrid schedule for this position is listed below.

• Conduct original ecocultural science research in collaboration with IBSS scientists and external partners, integrating archaeological, ethnographic, oral history, and collections data.
• Analyze, visualize, and model biodiversity and cultural datasets to investigate climate‑driven ecological changes and align Indigenous practices with modern conservation strategies.
• Publish findings in peer‑reviewed journals, present at national and international meetings, contribute to grant proposals, and report progress to funders.
• Establish and sustain ethical, community‑centered partnerships with Indigenous…