Stengl-Wyer Scholars

UT Austin’s highly ranked ecology and biological research programs benefit from hosting the outstanding postdoctoral scientists selected each year to be Stengl-Wyer Scholars.

A photo of a scientist working in the field at Stengl Lost Pines Biological Research Station

The 2024 Stengl-Wyer Scholars application cycle is now closed.

Stengl-Wyer Scholars Program

Stengl-Wyer, the largest endowment in the history of the College of Natural Sciences, offers premier support for postdoctoral scientists to serve as Stengl-Wyer Scholars. Each scholar researches broadly the diversity of life and interactions between living things and their natural environments.

Recent Ph.D.s are invited to apply for distinguished postdoctoral positions to study the diversity of life and/or organisms in their natural environments at The University of Texas at Austin (UT), one of the top campuses in the country for this area of research.

Funded by the Stengl-Wyer Endowment, the Stengl-Wyer Scholars Program provides up to three years of support for talented postdoctoral researchers in the broad area of the diversity of life and/or organisms in their natural environments. Scholars may study any groups of organisms, at levels from genes to populations to communities to ecosystems, and may use any combination of approaches.


Congratulations, 2024 Stengl-Wyer Scholars!

  • Dale Forrister, Department of Integrative Biology, Proposal Title: Ecometabolomics, environmental gradients and the growth-defense trade-off in tropical trees
  • Marina Hutchins, Department of Integrative Biology, Proposal Title: Why copy? Identifying ecological correlates of mate choice copying in sailfin mollies

All scholarships will begin fall 2024 and are available for up to 3 years.

Download the complete list of Stengl-Wyer Scholars


Competition Overview

Stengl-Wyer Scholars

  • conduct cutting-edge research over three years;
  • have access to the outstanding core research facilities at UT, including field stations, natural history collections, computational, imaging and biomolecular facilities;
  • reside locally and have a regular work space and presence on the main UT campus;
  • primarily focus on research, but in one of the three years, also engage in two semesters of teaching or outreach effort related to their interests and career goals;
  • participate in biweekly meetings (luncheons) with other Stengl-Wyer Scholars, Fellows or guests; and
  • receive career mentorship.

Scholars are expected to be independent and propose their own research project. The project start date at UT should be between June 1, 2024 and September 30, 2024. Applicants should identify one or more faculty members from UT’s College of Natural Sciences (CNS) who will serve as a mentor as well as provide laboratory space to the Scholar. Scholars will be encouraged to interact broadly and collaborate with other faculty, postdocs and graduate students at UT. 2024 Scholar recipients will receive the following:

  • $70,000 annual salary plus UT benefits
  • $10,000 annual allowance for research and travel expenses
  • Up to $3,000 relocation expenses

CNS particularly encourages applications from individuals within populations traditionally underrepresented in our disciplines. Our goal is to provide all Scholars with an inclusive and supportive environment in which they may realize their intellectual potential.

Download the 2024 Stengl-Wyer Scholars Competition Request for Applications


Eligibility

Eligible applicants must have completed a Ph.D. or equivalent degree by the projected start date and must not have exceeded 20 months in a full-time postdoctoral position at the time of application deadline. Preference will be given to applicants whose proposed projects broaden the scope of research in CNS and are relevant to the Stengl-Wyer Endowment’s mission to explore the diversity of life and organisms in their natural environments. Additionally, preference will be given to applicants not already in residence at UT. Applicants who are non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents must be eligible for J-1 Scholar visa status; the Stengl-Wyer Scholars program cannot support H-1B visa applications.


Application Submission Instructions

All required application components (listed in the Application Components section in the RFA above) should be combined and uploaded as a single PDF and submitted by the application deadline of 5:00 p.m. CT on December 4, 2023.

Applications must be submitted through Competition Space, UT’s online submission interface. To apply:

  1. Visit https://utexas.infoready4.com/CompetitionSpace/#competitionDetail/1907500
  2. Click the “Apply” button on the Competition Space page.
  3. This will take you to a login screen. External applicants should create an interface account by clicking the “Register” button toward the bottom of the page. Follow the instructions to create an account. Applicants with an existing UT EID and password should login using the “University of Texas Web Login” button.
  4. You will be taken to an online application form. Complete the form and upload the required application components. Click “Submit Application” at the bottom of the page. You also have the option to save a draft and return later to submit your application.

Key Dates

Submission window opened: August 7, 2023

Submission deadline: December 4, 2023

Announcement of awardees: February 2024

Award start date: After June 1, 2024 and before September 30, 2024

Award end date: Up to three (3) years from award start date


Contact Information

STENGL-WYER SCHOLAR APPLICATION

Program questions should be directed to the Stengl-Wyer Endowment Program Directors: swe@austin.utexas.edu

Application submission interface questions should be directed to CNS Strategic Research Initiatives: CNS_SRI@austin.utexas.edu


The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.