Unlock Your Future in Evolutionary Biology: Thriving Careers Await!
Evolutionary Biology jobs represent the forefront of scientific discovery, where researchers unravel the mysteries of adaptation, speciation, and genetic diversity. Aspiring academics and seasoned professors alike find tenure-track positions, postdocs, and research roles at leading universities worldwide. Whether you're a student eyeing PhD programs or a faculty member seeking advancement, higher-ed jobs in this dynamic field offer prestige and impact. Dive into opportunities shaped by genomic revolutions and climate challenges, from studying Darwin's finches on the Galápagos to modeling viral evolution amid pandemics. Rate My Professor profiles highlight top educators like those at Harvard or UC Berkeley, whose work influences policy and conservation. With salaries scaling from $80,000 for assistant professors to over $150,000 for full professors, check detailed breakdowns at professor salaries. Trends point to interdisciplinary growth, blending evo bio with AI and medicine. Explore faculty jobs, prepare with career advice, and launch your trajectory today.
Career Paths for Students in Evolutionary Biology
Students passionate about life's origins should pursue a bachelor's in biology or ecology, followed by a master's and PhD in Evolutionary Biology. Key courses include population genetics, phylogenetics, and macroevolution. Fringe pursuits like studying extremophile microbes in Yellowstone's hot springs or human microbiome evolution offer unique niches. Graduates land research assistant roles via research assistant jobs, transitioning to postdocs listed under higher-ed postdoc jobs. Rate influential mentors on Rate My Professor to guide your path.
Faculty Job Opportunities in Evolutionary Biology
Tenure-track professor jobs abound at institutions like Oxford, where evo bio departments probe adaptive radiations, or Stanford, focusing on evo-devo quirks in fruit flies. Niche roles emerge in evolutionary medicine, analyzing antibiotic resistance, or island biogeography, as seen in Hawaiian honeycreeper extinctions. US hubs like Duke offer lecturer positions via lecturer jobs, while UK seekers check jobs.ac.uk. Emerging trends include computational evo bio using AI for fossil predictions.
Prestigious Programs and Quirks
- Harvard: Peter and Rosemary Grants' long-term Galápagos finch study redefined natural selection.
- University of Chicago: Mayr's species concepts still spark debates.
- Australian National University: Kangaroo evolution in arid locales.
Salaries and Earnings Trends
Evolutionary Biology professors earn competitively: assistant professors average $82,500 (AAUP 2022-23), associates $95,200, full professors $140,000+, varying by location. California roles top $160,000; explore US California jobs. UK salaries hover £50,000-£90,000. Prestige boosts via grants; check professor salaries for role-specific data. Inflation-adjusted growth outpaces humanities amid biotech demand.
| Role | US Avg Salary (2023) | Top Location |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | $82,500 | California |
| Associate Professor | $95,200 | Massachusetts |
| Full Professor | $140,000+ | Texas |
Visit Rate My Professor for insights on high-earners.
Future Trends and Fringe Opportunities
Genomics and CRISPR reveal rapid evolution quirks, like COVID variants. Evo informatics jobs surge; adjunct roles via adjunct professor jobs. Parents note stable prospects for offspring, bolstered by NSF funding spikes.
Browse Faculty JobsAssociations for Evolutionary Biology
Society for the Study of Evolution
An international organization dedicated to promoting the study of organic evolution and integrating various scientific fields concerned with evolution.
European Society for Evolutionary Biology
A society that fosters research, education, and communication in evolutionary biology across Europe and internationally.
Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution
An international society that facilitates association and communication among molecular evolutionists and promotes the field of molecular evolution.
American Society of Naturalists
A professional society that encourages the conceptual unification of the biological sciences, with a focus on ecology, evolution, and behavior.
Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution
A society that promotes the study and advancement of ecology and evolutionary biology in Canada through research, education, and outreach.
Australasian Evolution Society
A society dedicated to promoting the scientific study of evolution and supporting evolutionary biologists in Australia and New Zealand.
Linnean Society of London
The world's oldest active biological society, focused on the study of natural history, evolution, and taxonomy.












