Location of position: Naos Marine Laboratories, Panama City, Panamá.

 Type of position: Indefinite

 Opening Date: June 18, 2026

 The application review period will begin on July 2, 2026.

 Who May Apply: Panamanian citizen or non-nationals with valid work permit.

The purpose of the Laboratory Manager position is to ensure the effective operation of the laboratory by coordinating its administrative, logistical, and scientific activities. The incumbent supports and contributes to research programs through the management of laboratory facilities, collections, equipment, field expeditions, and research data. The position also provides supervision and mentorship to staff and students, facilitates collaboration with internal and external partners, and helps secure the resources and permits necessary for research.

MAJOR DUTIES

·       Take responsibility for the safe and efficient running of a research laboratory.

·       Responsible for the preparation and curation of fossils and marine collections.

·       Design, initiate and direct scientific research with a high level of scientific expertise. Coauthor scientific articles.

·       Organize, execute and oversee field expeditions in Panama and abroad, sometimes at sea in small and large boats.

·       Responsible for purchasing lab, field equipment and supplies.

·       Obtain collecting, export and import permits in Panama and abroad.

·       Write grants and reports in Spanish and English.

·       Successfully liaise with administrative and scientific staff in STRI.

·       Mediate with local and international institutions.

·       Supervise and coordinate employees and fellows. Mentor students.

·       Manage data and other digital resources.

·       Represent STRI in outreach and education activities.

·       Performed other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED FOR THE POSITION

·       Master’s degree in science

·       Minimum 2 years of experience working in biology or paleontology.

·       Administrative experience and the ability to manage a large lab.

·       Fluent in both Spanish and English, written and spoken.

·       Exceptional interpersonal skills, and the ability to resolve problems and recommend solutions.

·       Excellent computer literacy

·       Driver’s license

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Scientific Staff Biologist and frequently runs the lab in his absence. The Scientific Staff Biologist will provide overall policy direction and relies on the incumbent to exercise considerable judgment and initiative in carrying out assignments. Work is periodically reviewed for efficiency and effectiveness. The incumbent will supervise a technician.

GUIDELINES

Guidelines are the general policies, procedures, goals and objectives of STRI and the SI. Experienced judgments are required to adapt general policies to specific situations.

COMPLEXITY

The incumbent must demonstrate organizational skills and the ability to manage a laboratory in administrative and research duties.

SCOPE AND EFFECT

The purpose of the position is to manage the laboratory in both administration and research duties, in order to ensure its success in research.

PERSONAL CONTACTS

The incumbent has work contacts with other scientists, scholars and members of the administration both within and outside of STRI or equivalent.

PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

The purpose of contacts is to help in the implementation of research programs and the management of the laboratory.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work ranges from sedentary tasks at a desk in front of a computer to international flights and field expeditions in very remote settings. Work requires physical exertion including work on boats, lifting heavy samples and equipment in the field and in the lab.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work area is adequately lit and ventilated. Work is also conducted at a variety of host sites, including marine field sites in the tropics, which may incur varying degrees of risk depending on mode of transportation, climate, ocean conditions and living conditions.

At STRI, we are guided by our core values of respect and our commitment to embracing all individuals who share a passion for research in the tropics and contributing to the broader community. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage all qualified candidates to apply for positions at STRI. We are dedicated to ensuring a fair, respectful, and supportive recruitment process for every applicant. STRI is committed to maintaining a workplace that is free from violence, harassment, and any form of discrimination. If you need accommodations during any part of the application or interview process, please do not hesitate to let us know, and we will be happy to assist you.

 https://trustcareers.si.edu/en/postings/86a68378-0682-4ff4-9ea9-13804c08aaa9

Important Notice: Applicants are required to submit their research statement and provide three professional references as part of the application package. These sections are now enabled in the application system.

Applicants who submitted their application before these sections were added should revisit their application and upload the required information before the announcement closes. Applications that do not include all required documentation by the closing date may be considered incomplete.

Postdoctoral Scholar – Experimental Tests of Selection at seed to seedling transition, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

The BCI-EDGE project seeks applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in the area of Experimental Tests of Selection at seed to seedling transition, in the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. This postdoc will be part of BCI-EDGE, a multi-institution project focused on the evolutionary dynamics and genomic ecology of tropical forests, with datasets and analyses from research plots in Panama, including the Barro Colorado Island. The overarching goal is to understand the evolutionary processes that maintain tropical forest diversity. The project combines whole-genome sequencing, experimental ecology, and more than four decades of spatially explicit demographic data from one of the world’s best-studied tropical forests. Broadly, the project will test how ecological interactions, natural selection, natural enemies, hybridization, and environmental gradients shape genetic diversity, adaptation, and species coexistence in tropical tree communities.

The Aim 3 postdoctoral scholar will be based in Panama, and will direct experimental and observational studies of selection during the seed-to-seedling transition. This individual will design and oversee seed collection, seed burial experiments, seedling transplant studies, and fungal exclusion treatments, working closely with field technician(s) to ensure experimental implementation. The postdoc will coordinate genomic sampling of pre- and post-selection cohorts and lead analyses quantifying allele frequency shifts associated with viability selection and enemy-mediated mortality. By linking experimental outcomes to long-term ecological data and genomic patterns identified in Aims 1 and 2, this position will provide insight into how early-life selection shapes population genetic structure and contributes to the maintenance of diversity in tropical forests. 

The successful applicant should have the following skills:

1. Experimental design in field ecology (seed/seedling experiments, manipulative treatments, replication)
2. Population genomics of selection (allele frequency shifts, viability selection analyses, PoolSeq)
3. Plant–pathogen or plant–enemy interaction expertise (especially fungi and disease dynamics)
4. Data integration across experimental and observational datasets (linking experiments to genomic and ecological patterns)
5. Project management and supervision of field experiments (coordinating technicians, maintaining the experiment over time)

This is a  full-time, definite, trust-funded position. The vacancy is based in Panama and will be appointed at the Grade 11 level under the 2026 U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) General Schedule (GS) Pay Table. The appointment will be for a period of two (2) years, with the possibility of extension. 

For more information and to apply to this positions, please see the below links:  https://trustcareers.si.edu/en/postings/f299cd47-cc9b-4eda-9b35-256f00351bea    

Important Notice: Applicants are required to submit their research statement and provide three professional references as part of the application package. These sections are now enabled in the application system.

Applicants who submitted their application before these sections were added should revisit their application and upload the required information before the announcement closes. Applications that do not include all required documentation by the closing date may be considered incomplete.

University of California, Berkeley

Postdoctoral Scholar – Evolutionary Genomics, University of California, Berkeley

The postdoctoral scholar will be based in Berkeley, California, and will direct a subset of Aim 1 goals that are complementary to those of the coordinating postdoctoral scholar based in Panama. With expertise in population, comparative, and evolutionary genomics, the successful candidate will lead projects characterizing introgression, demographic history, and selection across species. This individual will travel periodically to Panama to interface with the other EDGE-BCI postdoctoral scholars.

The successful applicant should have the following skills:

1. Comparative genomics analyses (e.g. phylogenomics, gene family evolution, evolutionary constraint analyses, detection of  introgression/hybridization)
2. Population genomics analyses (e.g., coalescent-based and allele-frequency based including using resequencing and/or PoolSeq data, analysis of selection in multi-population datasets)
3. Prior experience managing and analysing large genomic datasets
4. Excellence in scientific writing 
5. Ability to thrive on a diverse team
6. Ability to travel to Panama periodically

For more information and to apply to this position, please see the below link:

https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05399

Oregon State University/STRI

Postdoctoral Scholar – Community Genomics and Selection in Space and Time, Oregon State University/Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

The postdoctoral scholar, based in Panama, will lead efforts to quantify how density-dependent ecological interactions shape genomic variation within the BCI forest community across different size classes/stages. This individual will coordinate spatially explicit genomic sampling within the 50-ha plot, integrating whole-genome resequencing data with long-term demographic records of recruitment, growth, and mortality. The postdoc will oversee field technicians collecting tissue and phenotypic data and will lead analyses testing for genetic signatures of selection across life stages, spatial neighborhoods, and temporal cohorts. A major focus will be linking genomic variation at candidate defense loci to patterns of survival, growth, and metabolomic traits, thereby providing a direct test of how CNDD acts as a selective force within natural populations. 

The successful applicant should have the following skills:

1. Statistical genomics and selection inference (e.g., detecting selection across life stages, spatial structure, temporal cohorts)
2. Integration of genomic data with long-term demographic datasets (e.g., ForestGEO data)
3. Spatial analysis and ecological modeling (neighborhood models, density dependence, spatial statistics)
4. Experience with whole-genome or population resequencing datasets
5. Field coordination in complex ecological systems (linking sampling design to hypothesis testing)

For more information and to apply to this position, please see the following link:

https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/joneslab/bci-edge-postdoctoral-scholar/

• Mínimo 2 años de experiencia en manejo de sustancias químicas.
• Dominio de la Ley 19 de 13 de junio de 2005 y las reglamentaciones vigentes de la misma.
• Experiencia comprobable en trámites regulatorios ante UCQ-CONAPRED.
• Experiencia en inventarios, permisos, informes y documentación técnica.
• Atención rigurosa al detalle y capacidad de mantener registros precisos.
• Capacidad para gestionar proyectos y cumplir con plazos regulatorios estrictos.
• Enfoque en seguridad, cumplimiento y sostenibilidad ambiental.
• Dominio del idioma inglés es requerido mas no mandatorio.
• Poseer licencia de conducir.

CONTROLES DE SUPERVISIÓN:

El interesado(a) trabaja bajo supervisión directa del Coordinador Científico de Tupper y en coordinación estrecha con el departamento de Seguridad Ocupacional. El supervisor de la instalación ofrecerá orientación sobre las tareas y obligaciones asignadas. El trabajo es por lo general supervisado de cerca, y el empleado recibe instrucciones específicas, sin embargo, la supervisión constante no es necesaria para las tareas rutinarias y repetitivas que pueden realizarse sin dificultad una vez que se aprendan.

GUIAS

Debe desempeñar sus funciones de acuerdo con las guías, políticas y normativas del Smithsonian (SI), del STRI, de la UCQ y de CONAPRED, garantizando el cumplimiento integral de la Ley 19 del 13 de junio de 2005 y sus reglamentaciones. Recibirá instrucciones de manera verbal, correo y reuniones. También tendrá que asistir en las operaciones diarias de las instalaciones asignadas.  Asistir a otros departamentos de la institución, si el supervisor lo solicita.

COMPLEJIDAD:

Especialista de Seguridad Química, debe demostrar excelentes habilidades interpersonales y en equipo, habilidades efectivas en comunicación verbal y escucha, así como en el manejo de tiempo y de estrés.  Se requiere que el Especialista de Seguridad Química , sea capaz de realizar planificación efectiva, priorización, identificación de problemas y toma de decisiones para asegurar que la documentación de los permisos UCQ sean expedidos a tiempo.

Las funciones de esta posición requieren un alto nivel de especialidad, así como el manejo de la legislación panameña, específicamente en lo relacionado a controles administrativos, inventarios, permisos, reportes y demás requisitos regulatorios aplicables a las sustancias químicas controladas y vigiladas y participar en la ejecución de diferentes actividades y/o proyectos que tienen un impacto moderado en diferentes áreas de la organización.

AMBITO DE APLICACIÓN Y EFECTO

El objetivo de la posición es la de gestionar o actuar como enlace técnico y administrativo entre STRI y la Unidad de Control de Químicos (UCQ).

CONTACTOS PERSONALES

El interesado tiene contacto con personal de compras, tráfico, seguridad ocupacional, coordinación científica, personal administrativo, científicos de planta, visitantes entre otros departamentos de la institución.

PROPOSITO DE LOS CONTACTOS

La razón es la retroalimentación entre los diferentes miembros del staff y de los científicos para poder realizar el trabajo correctamente y según los criterios establecidos por la UCQ. Algunos contactos requieren de colaboración, ayuda e información que deben ser provistas por el regente químico. 

DEMANDA FISICA

El trabajo abarca desde tareas sedentarias en un escritorio compilando información para permisos de sustancias vigiladas y controladas, redactando informes, frente a una computadora; así como visitando otras instalaciones para inventarios en los laboratorios y descartes de sustancias químicas, lo cual conlleva un esfuerzo físico medio. En ocasiones, puede haber una gran presión en el titular para cumplir los plazos impuestos por el empleador o supervisor.

AMBIENTE DE TRABAJO

La posición combina actividades de oficina con trabajo en campo dentro de las instalaciones del instituto. Adicionalmente, el puesto requiere visitas periódicas a laboratorios, talleres y otras instalaciones del instituto para verificar inventarios de sustancias químicas controladas, revisar condiciones de almacenamiento y validar el cumplimiento de las normativas aplicables. Estas actividades implican desplazamientos dentro de diferentes instalaciones de STRI a nivel nacional lo que implica que el puesto tendrá movilidad en vehículo, botes y avión.

En STRI, nos guiamos por nuestros valores fundamentales de respeto y nuestro compromiso de acoger a todas las personas que comparten una pasión por la investigación en los trópicos y por contribuir a la comunidad en general. Como empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades, alentamos a todos los candidatos calificados a postularse para posiciones en STRI. Estamos comprometidos a garantizar un proceso de reclutamiento justo, respetuoso y de apoyo para cada solicitante.

STRI se compromete a mantener un ambiente de trabajo libre de violencia, acoso y cualquier forma de discriminación. Si necesita algún tipo de adaptación durante cualquier etapa del proceso de solicitud o entrevista, no dude en informarnos y con gusto le asistiremos.

¡Para obtener más información sobre STRI y qué hacemos, visita nuestro sitio web https://stri.si.edu/ donde puede leer nuestra misión, visión y conocer a nuestro personal, proyectos, instalaciones de investigación y más!

 Location of position: Earl Tupper Center, Ancon, Panama City, Republic of Panama.

 Type of position: Indefinite – Local Payroll (Part time)

 Who May Apply: Panamanian citizen or non-nationals with valid work permit.

The Document Processing Clerk provides direct support to the Legal and Governmental Affairs Office. Support also includes the Director’s Office, and other Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) offices for various activities, general errands, and facilitating the timely delivery and collection of documents from governmental and NGO offices. Occasionally, the position may require transporting and accompanying permanent scientific staff, visiting scientists, and VIPs to related errands or activities.

You will have some of the following responsibilities:

• Carry out transactions and deliver documentation to banks, IDAAN, Immigration offices, Customs, Municipality, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Social Security office and Ministry of Labor, Public Registry Office, private organizations, for STRI administration and collaborators, as per supervisor instructions.
• Transport and accompany visiting scientists or staff scientists to governmental offices. Such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Immigration Office, Customs, etc.
• Stay updated in new processes, Panamanian laws and regulations on immigration.
• Monitors the good use of the equipment related to the area under his/her responsibility.
• Perform routine maintenance on vehicles, such as monitoring fluid levels and replenishing fuel.
• Any other duty assigned from time to time.

To be successful in this role, you should meet the following requirements:

• Enrolled in an undergraduate program at a local University in careers such as: Law, Science, Business or related fields.
• Availability to work on a schedule from Monday- Friday from 8am-12pm.
• Possess a valid driver’s license –all types, and a clean driving record (subject to verification).
• Customer service-oriented
• Good organization and time management skills
• Knowledge of English (Intermediate level)
• Experience in dealing with public and document processing at governmental offices will be a plus.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

Incumbent reports directly to supervisor, the Legal Support Administrator. Supervisor defines overall objectives and priorities and assigns the daily work.  Incumbent is responsible for processing the documentation on time, and reporting inconveniences to Supervisor to seek solutions.

GUIDELINES

Guidelines are the general policies, procedures, goals and objective of SI and STRI, and according to Panamanian labor laws. Comply with the rules and procedures of security and protection as established at STRI.

COMPLEXITY

Decision regarding what kind of documentation or processes should be carried out is based on immediate supervisor instructions. The Incumbent should use own judgment and ability to interact with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds and /or ability to solve minor problems under ethical standards, when necessary. Due to the type of documentation and/or procedures the incumbent should have to collect or follow, he/she should meet daily objectives of the functions assigned.

SCOPE AND EFFECT

Purpose of the work is to deliver and collect a wide range of documents to several governmental and non-governmental offices and to accompany and provide support to permanent and visiting scientists during visits to different governmental offices for collecting or signing documents related to permits and visas. Should always provide a friendly and professional approach to Panamanian public officers and people in general.

PERSONAL CONTACTS

The incumbent should develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others.  Personal contacts include the Director’s office, permanent scientists, visiting scientists, STRI administrative personnel and officials of external organizations, governmental and non-governmental offices.

PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

Contacts are used to support several internal and external offices, administrative personnel, staff and visiting scientists in the process of a wide range of errands assigned by the Supervisor. Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, governmental and other external sources, is necessary. The information can be exchanged in person or by telephone.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requires driving a vehicle during working hours; occasional walking and carrying light objects. Also needs the use of cell phone to keep contact with office/base.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Most of the work is conducted outside STRI and occasionally needs driving outside the city, only if required.

Interested candidates please access web page: https://stri-sites.si.edu , complete the required fields and upload updated resume.

Please note that this is a local hire position, and no relocation expenses will be covered.

At STRI, we are guided by our core values of respect and our commitment to embracing all individuals who share a passion for research in the tropics and contributing to the broader community. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage all qualified candidates to apply for positions at STRI. We are dedicated to ensuring a fair, respectful, and supportive recruitment process for every applicant. STRI is committed to maintaining a workplace that is free from violence, harassment, and any form of discrimination. If you need accommodations during any part of the application or interview process, please do not hesitate to let us know, and we will be happy to assist you.

15. Proactividad.​

CONTROLES DE SUPERVISIÓN

El interesado del puesto trabaja bajo la supervisión directa del Supervisor de Flota Vehicular, quien asigna las ordenes de trabajo, establece prioridades, supervisa la calidad de las reparaciones y evalúa el desempeño del colaborador.

El colaborador desarrolla sus funciones con independencia técnica dentro de su nivel de competencia, consultando al supervisor cuando la complejidad de la reparación o las condiciones operativas así lo requieran.

COMPLEJIDAD DEL PUESTO

El puesto requiere capacidad para diagnosticar y resolver problemas mecánicos en condiciones variables, tanto dentro del taller como en campo.

El ocupante debe estar disponible para laborar en horarios especiales cuando las operaciones institucionales lo requieran, desplazarse a estaciones de investigación ubicadas en áreas remotas y trabajar bajo condiciones de humedad, altas temperaturas, lluvia, terrenos irregulares y exposición a fauna silvestre.

Debe mantener conocimientos actualizados sobre nuevas tecnologías automotrices y aplicar criterios técnicos para garantizar la confiabilidad y seguridad de la flota.

CONDICIONES DE TRABAJO

Las funciones requieren esfuerzo físico moderado y ocasionalmente intenso, incluyendo levantar componentes mecánicos, trabajar debajo de vehículos, permanecer de pie durante períodos prolongados y adoptar posiciones incómodas para realizar reparaciones.

Existe exposición a ruido, vibraciones, combustibles, lubricantes, solventes, fluidos hidráulicos, ácidos de baterías y otras sustancias utilizadas en la actividad mecánica, por lo que es obligatorio el uso del equipo de protección personal correspondiente.

ALCANCE DEL PUESTO

Las funciones del Mecánico Automotriz contribuyen directamente a mantener la disponibilidad, confiabilidad y seguridad de la flota vehicular institucional, permitiendo el desarrollo oportuno de las investigaciones científicas, el transporte del personal y el cumplimiento de las operaciones logísticas del Instituto Smithsonian de Investigaciones Tropicales.

CONTACTOS PERSONALES

El ocupante mantiene comunicación permanente con el Supervisor de Flota Vehicular, personal administrativo, investigadores, guardabosques, usuarios de la flota, proveedores, talleres externos y demás colaboradores del STRI para coordinar actividades relacionadas con el mantenimiento y operación de los vehículos institucionales.

EXIGENCIAS FISICAS

El trabajo requiere de buenas condiciones físicas y buena salud, estabilidad mental y emocional. Se requiere caminar bajo condiciones ambientales tropicales variables transportando todo el equipo propio de sus funciones. Debe tener las condiciones físicas para atender emergencias, auxiliar y trasladar vehículos.

AMBIENTE DE TRABAJO

El área de trabajo es en su mayoría el taller y en ocasiones podría trasladarse al interior de la República u a otros sitios que pueden ser en bosques húmedos tropicales o transportarse en bote en el mar, ríos o lagos incluso el traslado en avión.

En STRI, nos guiamos por nuestros valores fundamentales de respeto y nuestro compromiso de acoger a todas las personas que comparte una pasión por la investigación en los trópicos y por contribuir a la comunidad en general. Como empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades, alentamos a todos los candidatos calificados a postularse para posiciones en STRI. Estamos comprometidos a garantizar un proceso de reclutamiento justo, respetuoso y de apoyo para cada solicitante.

STRI se compromete a mantener un ambiente de trabajo libre de violencia, acoso y cualquier forma de discriminación. Si necesita algún tipo de adaptación durante cualquier etapa del proceso de solicitud o entrevista, no dude en informarnos y con gusto le asistiremos.

¡Para obtener más información sobre STRI y qué hacemos, visita nuestro sitio web https://stri.si.edu/ donde puede leer nuestra misión, visión y conocer a nuestro personal, proyectos, instalaciones de investigación y más!