Forensic Anthropology PostDoc Fellow, 2025-2026

Position Description

About Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences:

Mission

The Mission of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is to provide medical examiner and crime laboratory services of the highest quality in an unbiased manner with uncompromised integrity.

Vision

To provide consistent, quality death investigation and laboratory analysis for the benefit of the entire community.

• To create a technological strongpoint for legal agencies to facilitate justice in criminal and civil proceedings.
• To establish an academic environment for training in the field of Forensic Science.

Forensic Anthropology PostDoc Fellow Overview:

The Forensic Anthropology PostDoc Fellow will be trained in the fundamental philosophy, skills, and knowledge needed to carry out proper anthropology analyses in a Medical Examiner context, conducting all aspects of supervised anthropological casework, following established protocols and best practices, including autopsy consults, identification of unknown decedents, biological profile estimation, osseous/cartilaginous trauma analysis, scene response, pediatric skeletal examinations, and postmortem radiography.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assists with routine daily casework under the supervision of staff anthropologists involving skeletal remains and autopsy specimens, including: trauma analyses, determination if skeletal remains are human or non-human, determination if skeletal remains are of forensic or historical significance, development of biological profiles of human remains, and assessment of human remains for the presence of pathological conditions or traumatic injury
  
• Prepares reports on anthropological casework, and submits reports and bench notes to supervising forensic anthropologist for review
  
• Assists in the processing of unidentified decedents including taking identification quality radiographs, collecting and submitting DNA samples, submitting fingerprint cards, constructing and disseminating unidentified decedent descriptions, and reviewing unidentified decedent case files for completion
  
• Responds to death scenes with staff anthropologists to document, recover, and identify human/non-human remains, collects and preserves physical and biological evidence, excavates or supervises excavation of human remains
  
• Other duties as assigned
  

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or emailADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.

This position is subject to a criminal history check.

Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Attachments:

• A FULL CV MUST BE ATTACHED*

Education:

• Doctoral degree (by employment start date) from an accredited college or university in Anthropology, Forensic or Biological Anthropology, or related field

Licensure:

• Maintain a valid Texas Driver's License and ability to safely operate a motor vehicle

Additional Requirements:

• Must pass criminal background check and drug / alcohol screening (prior to and randomly after employment)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge and in-depth understanding of anthropological theory, principles, procedures, and techniques as they relate to identification of human remains and bone pathology/ trauma analysis
  
• Ability to apply knowledge of anthropological and forensic theory, principles, procedures, and techniques to practical analysis and curation of human remains
  
• Advanced writing, analytical, and problem resolution skills
  
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office
  
• Ability to communicate effectively with law, technical, medical and legal audiences, and to work independently with minimal supervision, prioritizing and handling multiple tasks simultaneously
  

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation butONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume"will not be accepted for qualifications.

General Information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• This is a one-year, time-limited position
  
• Hours may vary based on needs of Department, weekend and holiday rotation as needed
  

Start Date:

• July 1, 2025

Physical Demands:

• Requires physical strength to push, pull, and lift up to 30 pounds frequently and repeatedly

Work Environment:

• Must be available to work during severe weather events or other emergencies if necessary

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.