I welcome thoughtful inquiries from prospective postdocs, interns, and graduate students interested in joining the lab.
General inquiries can be directed to mullerh@si.edu or mullerlandaulab@gmail.com
Applications now open for the research manager and TLS technician positions! See below for more info.
Technical positions
Research manager. Seeking a detail-oriented individual with strong quantitative, organizational, and communications skills to support tropical forest research in Panama. Responsibilities include processing of drone-collected imagery using photogrammetry software and Python scripts, conducting reproducible data QA/QC using R, preparing data forms for data collection with ArcGIS FieldMaps or QMaps, producing data publications and reports, assisting and training lab members in completing tasks in R and Python, managing budgets and purchasing, maintaining the lab web page, assisting with recruiting and appointing or hiring new lab members, and handling various lab organizational tasks. The position is based in Gamboa, Panama with initial funding through 2028. The ideal candidate will have excellent attention to detail, experience in data processing and QA/QC, excellent technical coding skills (especially R, Python), experience with GIS software, strong oral and written English communication skills, Spanish communication skills, and demonstrated ability to work in a team. Full job posting at https://stri-sites.si.edu/recruiter/users/jobs.php?id=466. For further information, contact Helene Muller-Landau, mullerh@si.edu; informal inquiries are welcome.
Terrestrial laser scanning lead technician. Seeking a self-motivated team player with experience in terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) to contribute to GEOTREES, a global effort to collect high quality ground data for satellite-derived forest biomass mapping. Responsibilities will include leading the collection and processing of TLS data in forests in Panama, training and assisting local collaborators in collecting and processing TLS data in other countries, conducting data curation and QA/QC in a reproducible manner, producing data publications and reports, and handling associated organizational tasks. The position is based in Gamboa, Panama and will involve travel to GEOTREES sites in other countries, especially in Latin America. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience working with TLS data, excellent technical skills and programming ability, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work harmoniously with people from different backgrounds, strong organizational skills, experience doing field work, and strong English and Spanish oral and written communication skills. This position is currently open to Panamanians and those with work permits for Panama (if we are unable to recruit a suitable candidate within Panama, it will be opened for international applications). To apply, please submit the following documents in English: (1) a cover letter detailing your interest in and qualifications for the position, (2) a current curriculum vitae (CV), and (3) the contact information for three professional references. All application materials must be submitted by email to strisearch@si.edu with the subject line: [Your Full Name] – Terrestrial Laser Scanning Specialist. Full position details at https://forestgeo.si.edu/terrestrial-laser-scanning-specialist
Postdocs
Postdocs in quantitative ecology and remote sensing of tropical forests
I’m currently recruiting postdocs to advance our understanding of tropical woody plant communities through quantitative analyses, theoretical studies, and/or development of new analytical tools drawing on large datasets for tropical forests in Panama.
One postdoctoral opportunity is for research applying or elaborating mathematical theory to understand mechanisms of coexistence and/or relative abundances of woody plant species in tropical forests. The second is on developing and applying methods to quantify large-scale patterns of abundances of tropical plant taxa from hyperspectral imagery, laser scanning, hyperspatial drone imagery, and/or other remote sensing data. Within these broad areas, there is substantial flexibility to choose research questions and methods that align with the postdoc’s interests and expertise.
Available datasets encompass long-term and large-scale datasets using both classic and novel, ground-based and remote sensing methods, including repeat drone RGB imagery, airborne and ground-based laser scanning, airborne and sample-level hyperspectral data, traditional forest plot data, crown maps, close-up drone photos of canopy plants identified to species, species-specific litter trap data on flower and fruitfall, functional traits, and more. More information about available datasets and ongoing research is available at https://hmullerlandau.com/research-projects/
Candidates need not have prior experience working in tropical forests. Candidates for both positions should have strong quantitative skills. Candidates for the first position should have prior experience with applying complex quantitative analyses, theory, or modeling to address ecological questions. Candidates for the second (remote sensing) position should have experience with remote sensing and/or the use of AI tools for classification. Start dates are flexible, and funding from the Simons Foundation is available through 2028.
The positions are located in the Muller-Landau lab in Gamboa, Panama. Appointment can be either as a Smithsonian postdoctoral fellowship or as a postdoctoral employee depending on the independence of the proposed postdoctoral project (fellowship stipend and benefits info; postdoc employee appointments at US federal GS 9 or 11, depending on experience).
To apply, email a curriculum vitae, a cover letter describing research interests and experience, a first-authored publication or manuscript, and contact information for three references to mullerlandaulab@gmail.com. Review of applications will begin January 5, 2026. For further information, contact Helene Muller-Landau, mullerh@si.edu; informal inquiries are welcome. More information about the lab including updated information on available positions can be found at https://hmullerlandau.com
Other Smithsonian funding
Potential sources of Smithsonian funding for additional postdocs in the lab are the competitively awarded Smithsonian postdoctoral fellowships, including the GEO-TREES postdoctoral fellowship program (deadline 21 January 2026), STRI’s 3-year Coates and Tupper postdoctoral fellowships (deadline June 15), the standard 1-year Smithsonian postdoctoral fellowships (deadline October 15), which can be extended to two years by a Secretary’s Distinguished Research Fellowship, and others. These fellowships are intended to support postdoctoral scholars working on projects of their own design, projects described in the fellowship proposals. Prospective applicants need to identify a Smithsonian staff scientist who could serve as an advisor (and potentially one or more coadvisors as well), and are encouraged to contact those scientists well in advance of the deadlines to discuss their interests and receive feedback on their ideas. I welcome such inquiries.
Non-Smithsonian funding
A variety of other fellowships can also support postdocs at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, with eligibility often specific to the citizenship of the applicant. For example, for US citizens, options include the NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology, Ford Foundation fellowships, Fullbright fellowships for research and teaching, and Simons Postdoctoral Fellowships in Plant Biology. European researchers can apply for Marie Curie global postdoctoral fellowships. For researchers who obtained their PhDs in the Netherlands, there are the Rubcion fellowships for up to 2 years of postdoctoral support. Many countries have similar programs to competitively fund international postdoctoral fellowships for their top young scientists. I welcome inquiries from prospective postdocs who have identified potential funding sources and are interested in discussing possible research projects.
Interns
I’m currently recruiting interns to participate in several research projects: quantifying landscape-level variation in tropical forest structure, function, and composition and their change over time, automated species classification of tropical plants with hyperspectral and 3D scanning data, and evaluating the climate sensitivity of tropical tree growth. Internships typically extend for 9-12 months, with flexible start dates. All interns have the opportunity to gain experience in tropical forest field data collection, data management and data cleaning using R and GitHub, statistical analyses and figure preparation using the R programming language, reviewing scientific literature, scientific discussions in English, working in a team with lab members and collaborators from diverse backgrounds, preparation of scientific presentations, preparation of data publications, and the scholarly publishing process. The ideal candidates have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, strong quantitative skills including programming experience, strong English oral and written communication skills, at least basic Spanish oral communication skills, and the ability and motivation to lead or co-lead a scholarly publication.
The positions are particularly well suited for candidates seeking more research experience prior to graduate school. Each internship is compensated with a modest stipend sufficient to cover living expenses in Panama (US$1250/month), as well as roundtrip travel to Panama in the case of non-Panamanian candidates. Higher stipends are possible in the case of exceptional candidates that have higher financial need due to student loans, health care needs, or family obligations.
To apply, email your curriculum vitae, a cover letter in English succinctly describing your qualifications and why you are interested in this internship, a scientific writing sample (e.g., undergraduate thesis, term paper, lab report; this can be in English or Spanish), a commented sample of code you have written (preferably in R or Python), and an unofficial copy of your undergraduate transcript to mullerlandaulab@gmail.com. Relevant standardized or national test scores (e.g., GRE, SAT, ACT for US students, A-levels for UK students, etc.) will also be considered if submitted. Applications are considered on a rolling basis
Graduate students
The Smithsonian Institution is not a degree-granting institution. However, STRI hosts many graduate students based at universities around the world who come to Panama to do their field research, and STRI fellowships provide funding to many of these students. STRI scientists often co-advise these graduate students, and may serve on dissertation committees. I welcome inquiries from graduate students with related research interests.
Quantitative Forest Ecology 