Deputy Director
May 30, 2008
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
IS SEARCHING FOR A DEPUTY DIRECTOR
The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), headquartered in the Republic of Panama, seeks an excellent scientist with extensive administrative and research experience to serve as Deputy Director. The Deputy will assist the Director in fostering and evaluating staff research programs, and administrative and outreach support activities, by providing leadership and guidance to staff, fellows, students and visiting scientists. The Deputy also has significant liaison roles with Panamanian government authorities, national education institutions and civil society.
STRI is a unit of the Smithsonian Institution that is primarily devoted to fundamental research in tropical sciences, including animal behavior, anthropology, archaeology, botany, ecology, evolution, geology, molecular biology, paleontology, plant physiology, and soils science; additional programs center on conservation biology and applied ecology (see www.stri.org).
STRI maintains modern research laboratories, a library, administrative and support centers in Panama City, several major facilities for marine and terrestrial field research in Panama, a 100’ research vessel, and canopy access cranes. STRI coordinates a global network of forest-dynamics plots through its Center for Tropical Forest Sciences/SI Global Earth Observatories. In collaboration with other institutions, STRI also participates in the operation of large research facilities in Brazil and Kenya. STRI employs approximately 40 scientists and 300 technical and support personnel, and annually hosts more than 1000 scientific visitors. STRI is committed to advanced scientific training through rigorous Fellowship and Internship Programs, and via cooperative programs with leading educational institutions.
Applicants should have a Ph.D and research experience in a relevant field of science, and a record of excellence in scientific administration. Fluency in Spanish, and familiarity with Latin America, is desirable.
Interested candidates should submit a curriculum vitae; a summary of administrative experience and accomplishments; a summary of scientific research interests; a vision statement on the future of tropical biology and related fields; and the names and contact information of five potential referees. Annual salary and benefits are commensurate with experience.
Review of applications will begin in August 2008 and continue until the position is filled. Please send applications electronically to the Director of STRI, c/o Ms. Luz Latorraca, Office of Human Resources at: LatorraL@si.edu. Address inquiries concerning the position to Dr. William Wcislo, Acting Deputy Director, at: WcisloW@si.edu
STRI is an equal opportunity employer and appointments are made regardless of nationality.