Overview
WMU Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine is seeking a Forensic Anthropology Postdoctoral Fellow. Reporting to the Chair of Pathology, and under the direction of the Pathology Faculty/Director of the Forensic Anthropology Fellowship Program, conduct forensic skeletal analyses, scientific identifications, field recoveries, and research and publication under the mentorship of the Forensic Anthropology faculty.
Responsibilities
Support Forensic Anthropology operations under supervision of faculty:
- Perform scientific identifications of decedents and write identification reports.
- Perform skeletal analyses including biological profile, trauma, and pathology and write technical reports.
- Conduct field search and recoveries and generate summary reports of the findings.
- Identification of non-human vs. human skeletal remains.
Conduct original research in Forensic Anthropology:
- Design a research project that compliments the ongoing programs in Pathology and collaborating faculty outside the department.
- Ideal topics of research include but are not limited to, Substance abuse and bone quality, bone toxicology, skeletal and dental biogeochemistry, human biological affinity and cranial and/or dental morphology, CT imaging and skeletal morphology, bone histology.
- Pursue research funding.
- Present research findings at professional meetings.
- Submit manuscript(s) for publication in peer reviewed journals.
Support the Body Donation Program:
- Assist with donor management, maintenance, and coordination of remains.
- Maintenance of the skeletal series and new accessions.
- Processing and accession of skeletal remains as necessary.
Other:
- Availability to work occasional overtime on weekends or evenings to complete time sensitive projects.
- Acquires knowledge for new technology and policy/procedure revisions.
- All other duties as assigned.
Applicants should send a cover letter along with CV submission.
Qualifications
The applicant must demonstrate the ability to advance the institution's diversity, equity, and inclusion mission. To be successful, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Pre-employment physical exam required.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
- PhD in Biological Anthropology or an applicable field.
- Specialization in Forensic Anthropology.
- Experience writing forensic case reports.
- Experience conducting field search and recovery operations.
- Experience conducting research in Forensic Anthropology.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS:
- Must be eligible to apply to take the American Board of Forensic Anthropology certification exam within one year of hire date.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Ability to conduct human osteological analyses.
- Ability to perform human scientific identifications by comparative radiography.
- Able to work with forensic pathologists, autopsy assistants, and other forensic experts in a morgue setting.
- Ability to conduct a search and recovery in a multi-agency field setting.
- Effective technical report writing skills.
- Ability to design and execute a research project in line with existing research programs in the department.
- Effective grant writing skills.
- Ability to present and publish research findings.
- Ability to work effectively in a team-orientated environment.
- Conducts oneself professionally with tact, diplomacy, and discretion.
- Familiarity with human subjects research protocols and ability to manage confidential information including protected health information.
- Demonstrates the ability to recognize priorities in organization of work flow.
- Able to perform duties independently, with a minimal need for direct supervision.
About Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed)
We are committed to excellence and health equity through transformative medical education, high-quality, patient- and family-entered care, innovative research, and community partnerships within a just culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Our vision is health equity for all in Southwest Michigan through innovation in the practice and study of medicine.
The medical school is a collaboration of Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo's two teaching health systems, Ascension Borgess and Bronson Healthcare. The medical school is a private nonprofit corporation supported by private gifts, clinical revenues, research activities, tuition, and endowment income. Building upon a $100 million foundational gift in 2011, WMed is a recipient of the Empowering Futures Gift, a philanthropic commitment of $300 million to support the mission of the medical school. WMed contributes to the economic vitality of Southwest Michigan through the services we provide as well as the creation of 1,600 new jobs and an annual estimated economic impact of $353 million in Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties.
WMed is fully accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education and the Higher Learning Commission. The medical school offers a comprehensive, innovative four-year Doctor of Medicine degree program and two Master of Science degree programs in Biomedical Sciences and Medical Engineering. We train physicians in 10 residencies and five fellowships accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. To support our educational mission, we have Joint Accreditation for interprofessional continuing education, which incorporates accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.
WMed Health is the clinical practice of the medical school with more than 300 providers offering comprehensive primary care and specialty services in several locations throughout Kalamazoo, Portage, and Battle Creek. The Department of Pathology faculty serve as the Office of the Medical Examiner for counties throughout Michigan and northern Indiana.
The W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus located in downtown Kalamazoo serves as the primary educational facility with faculty and administrative offices, student study and social spaces, team-based learning halls, a state-of-the-art Simulation Center accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, basic science research labs, as well as toxicology and forensic pathology labs.
WMed is building upon Kalamazoo's century-long foundation of drug discovery and medical device development with a strategic investment in clinical, laboratory, community, and educational research. The Center for Immunobiology, Center for Clinical Research, Research Histology Lab, Innovation Center, and Human Research Protection Program contribute to the medical school's advancement of knowledge through innovation and discovery.
Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer of females, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans, and actively strives to increase diversity within its community. We provide a drug- and tobacco-free workplace.
EEO Minorities/Women/Disabled/Protected Veterans.