Matt Jones, PhD
@mfjones.bsky.social
Vertebrate paleontologist | Paleogene mammals | Bat evolution | Assistant Professor at ASU | He/him
Beers. Bats. Battlestar Galactica.
Beers. Bats. Battlestar Galactica.
Reposted by Matt Jones, PhD
We've already got hundreds of students and mentors here, sharing how the sudden policy change has derailed plans. We're looking at formally "delivering" results to NSF leadership tomorrow, please do keep sharing and spreading the word: laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
September 29, 2025 at 11:18 PM
We've already got hundreds of students and mentors here, sharing how the sudden policy change has derailed plans. We're looking at formally "delivering" results to NSF leadership tomorrow, please do keep sharing and spreading the word: laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
Reposted by Matt Jones, PhD
Good news! KU's IRACDA program was reinstated! We are now taking applications for postdocs. Please spread the word.
sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Sear...
sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Sear...
Postdoctoral Researcher - University of Kansas - Job Details
Job Details: The IRACDA Program at the University of Kansas (KU) is accepting applications for postdoctoral scholarships. W
sjobs.brassring.com
August 30, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Good news! KU's IRACDA program was reinstated! We are now taking applications for postdocs. Please spread the word.
sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Sear...
sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Sear...
Reposted by Matt Jones, PhD
Do you love #fossil plants? Are you searching for a #PhD position? I am recruiting a doctoral student to join my group at the Senckenberg Research Institute in Frankfurt/M! Deadline on the 11th of May
#paleobotany #paleontology #plants #botany
www.senckenberg.de/en/career/sc...
#paleobotany #paleontology #plants #botany
www.senckenberg.de/en/career/sc...
Jobs for Scientists | Senckenberg Society for Nature Research
www.senckenberg.de
April 1, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Do you love #fossil plants? Are you searching for a #PhD position? I am recruiting a doctoral student to join my group at the Senckenberg Research Institute in Frankfurt/M! Deadline on the 11th of May
#paleobotany #paleontology #plants #botany
www.senckenberg.de/en/career/sc...
#paleobotany #paleontology #plants #botany
www.senckenberg.de/en/career/sc...
Reposted by Matt Jones, PhD
Democracy is not a spectator sport. If we don’t speak up, eventually there will be no one left to speak up. #MarchForDemocracy #MarchforDemocracyKC
March 29, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Democracy is not a spectator sport. If we don’t speak up, eventually there will be no one left to speak up. #MarchForDemocracy #MarchforDemocracyKC
Reposted by Matt Jones, PhD
I think, going forward, I will only be giving money to Democrats who have a proven track record of throwing hands. No more money for do-nothings, no more money for cowards, no more money for people who spend all of their time looking for ways to playact at opposition.
March 13, 2025 at 11:47 PM
I think, going forward, I will only be giving money to Democrats who have a proven track record of throwing hands. No more money for do-nothings, no more money for cowards, no more money for people who spend all of their time looking for ways to playact at opposition.
On a lighter note, I never realized the first two catalog numbers at the Academy of Natural Sciences were from my mom's hometown of Wellington (and about half an hour south of my hometown of Wichita)!
I find it interesting that the first two catalog numbers in the ANSP collection are Cope-collected Columbian mammoths from Wellington, KS. Very nice mammoths they are too! @commondescentpod.bsky.social
February 19, 2025 at 12:58 AM
On a lighter note, I never realized the first two catalog numbers at the Academy of Natural Sciences were from my mom's hometown of Wellington (and about half an hour south of my hometown of Wichita)!
Reposted by Matt Jones, PhD
Hey scientists. This rules. Check it out.
Join us! Science Homecoming helps scientists reconnect with communities by writing about the importance of science funding in their hometown newspapers. We’ve mapped every small newspaper in the U.S. and provide resources to get you started. Help science get back home 🧪🔬🧬 🏠
sciencehomecoming.com
sciencehomecoming.com
Science Homecoming
sciencehomecoming.com
February 19, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Hey scientists. This rules. Check it out.
Reposted by Matt Jones, PhD
The Democrats on the House Science Committee have set up a website to collect stories from fired federal employees, anonymously if desired democrats-science.house.gov/sciencefirings
Were you fired by President Trump? | House Committee on Science, Space and Technology
The House Committee on Science, Space and Technology
democrats-science.house.gov
February 18, 2025 at 11:09 PM
The Democrats on the House Science Committee have set up a website to collect stories from fired federal employees, anonymously if desired democrats-science.house.gov/sciencefirings
Reposted by Matt Jones, PhD
We have been careful to avoid using the word coup, but it’s time to call it what it is—this is a coup. Trump signed an executive order granting only the attorney general or the president the authority to interpret laws executed by the executive branch.
February 19, 2025 at 12:28 AM
We have been careful to avoid using the word coup, but it’s time to call it what it is—this is a coup. Trump signed an executive order granting only the attorney general or the president the authority to interpret laws executed by the executive branch.
Reposted by Matt Jones, PhD
I keep thinking about this one.
Because now it's our country, and we can't all stay away from it.
Because now it's our country, and we can't all stay away from it.
February 14, 2025 at 8:27 PM
I keep thinking about this one.
Because now it's our country, and we can't all stay away from it.
Because now it's our country, and we can't all stay away from it.
Reposted by Matt Jones, PhD
100% agreed.
To add, it'd be really great if our Universities and Institutes, rather than folding like wet paper sacks, actually sued (or got their states to sue) over illegally-cancelled grant contracts that had *already been awarded and signed* by the gov't.
Your researchers are depending on you.
To add, it'd be really great if our Universities and Institutes, rather than folding like wet paper sacks, actually sued (or got their states to sue) over illegally-cancelled grant contracts that had *already been awarded and signed* by the gov't.
Your researchers are depending on you.
It would be fantastic if major federal institutions would acknowledge that the executive branch cannot legally unilaterally cancel or redistribute congressionally appropriated funding on ideological grounds and thus they have no legal obligation to comply with such directives
Trump funding freeze a blatant violation of Constitution, federal law: Legal experts
The Constitution, federal law and court decisions make it clear: President Donald Trump's order to pause federal funding is against the law, legal experts tell ABC News.
abcnews.go.com
January 31, 2025 at 7:43 PM
100% agreed.
To add, it'd be really great if our Universities and Institutes, rather than folding like wet paper sacks, actually sued (or got their states to sue) over illegally-cancelled grant contracts that had *already been awarded and signed* by the gov't.
Your researchers are depending on you.
To add, it'd be really great if our Universities and Institutes, rather than folding like wet paper sacks, actually sued (or got their states to sue) over illegally-cancelled grant contracts that had *already been awarded and signed* by the gov't.
Your researchers are depending on you.
Reposted by Matt Jones, PhD
I went to post about the National Japanese American Memorial in D.C., which is beautiful but usually missed by tourists. It is a deeply staggering admission of guilt and a warning to future Americans. I went to link to the inscriptions and-
Well, they took the site down. www.nps.gov/places/japan...
Well, they took the site down. www.nps.gov/places/japan...
January 31, 2025 at 8:12 PM
I went to post about the National Japanese American Memorial in D.C., which is beautiful but usually missed by tourists. It is a deeply staggering admission of guilt and a warning to future Americans. I went to link to the inscriptions and-
Well, they took the site down. www.nps.gov/places/japan...
Well, they took the site down. www.nps.gov/places/japan...
Reposted by Matt Jones, PhD
Join our Public Fossil Digs this summer in North Dakota!
NDGSdigs2025.eventbrite.com
Registration opens Feb 1st, but if you want to be assured of getting a spot you can become a Dig Supporter donor and get access to early registration next week. More info here:
Ndpaleofriends.org/dig-supporters/
NDGSdigs2025.eventbrite.com
Registration opens Feb 1st, but if you want to be assured of getting a spot you can become a Dig Supporter donor and get access to early registration next week. More info here:
Ndpaleofriends.org/dig-supporters/
January 25, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Join our Public Fossil Digs this summer in North Dakota!
NDGSdigs2025.eventbrite.com
Registration opens Feb 1st, but if you want to be assured of getting a spot you can become a Dig Supporter donor and get access to early registration next week. More info here:
Ndpaleofriends.org/dig-supporters/
NDGSdigs2025.eventbrite.com
Registration opens Feb 1st, but if you want to be assured of getting a spot you can become a Dig Supporter donor and get access to early registration next week. More info here:
Ndpaleofriends.org/dig-supporters/
Reposted by Matt Jones, PhD
We're on BlueSky now!
Hello! We are Common Descent, a podcast about paleontology, evolution, and the history of life on Earth!
We release episodes every fortnight! Each one focuses on a topic requested by our audience!
commondescentpodcast.com
Hello! We are Common Descent, a podcast about paleontology, evolution, and the history of life on Earth!
We release episodes every fortnight! Each one focuses on a topic requested by our audience!
commondescentpodcast.com
January 19, 2025 at 8:03 PM
We're on BlueSky now!
Hello! We are Common Descent, a podcast about paleontology, evolution, and the history of life on Earth!
We release episodes every fortnight! Each one focuses on a topic requested by our audience!
commondescentpodcast.com
Hello! We are Common Descent, a podcast about paleontology, evolution, and the history of life on Earth!
We release episodes every fortnight! Each one focuses on a topic requested by our audience!
commondescentpodcast.com
Reposted by Matt Jones, PhD
What kind of resources/systems would really boost the success rates of earth/life science students applying to competitive seasonal internships (URE, DOI, etc)? (Ignore 💰 and 🕰️ constraints.)
I’d love to hear from folks who review apps, do hiring, have successfully applied to such positions… Thanks!
I’d love to hear from folks who review apps, do hiring, have successfully applied to such positions… Thanks!
January 6, 2025 at 8:00 PM
What kind of resources/systems would really boost the success rates of earth/life science students applying to competitive seasonal internships (URE, DOI, etc)? (Ignore 💰 and 🕰️ constraints.)
I’d love to hear from folks who review apps, do hiring, have successfully applied to such positions… Thanks!
I’d love to hear from folks who review apps, do hiring, have successfully applied to such positions… Thanks!
Reposted by Matt Jones, PhD
A reminder that we have two open PhD projects on Bayesian phylogenetics in the lab:
One with the new TREE Doctoral Landscape Awards: www.trees-dla.ac.uk/projects/int... (deadline 20th Jan)
And another with CSC: www.findaphd.com/phds/project... (deadline 29th Jan)
One with the new TREE Doctoral Landscape Awards: www.trees-dla.ac.uk/projects/int... (deadline 20th Jan)
And another with CSC: www.findaphd.com/phds/project... (deadline 29th Jan)
January 6, 2025 at 7:42 PM
A reminder that we have two open PhD projects on Bayesian phylogenetics in the lab:
One with the new TREE Doctoral Landscape Awards: www.trees-dla.ac.uk/projects/int... (deadline 20th Jan)
And another with CSC: www.findaphd.com/phds/project... (deadline 29th Jan)
One with the new TREE Doctoral Landscape Awards: www.trees-dla.ac.uk/projects/int... (deadline 20th Jan)
And another with CSC: www.findaphd.com/phds/project... (deadline 29th Jan)
Slow Loris in Malaysia
California Condors in Arizona
Gobi jerboa in China
Northern tamandua in Costa Rica
Spectral bat in Belize
California Condors in Arizona
Gobi jerboa in China
Northern tamandua in Costa Rica
Spectral bat in Belize
What are the 5 most memorable wildlife sightings of your life? I've had some incredible encounters: aardvark, platypus, velvet worms, blue whales, honey badger
January 5, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Slow Loris in Malaysia
California Condors in Arizona
Gobi jerboa in China
Northern tamandua in Costa Rica
Spectral bat in Belize
California Condors in Arizona
Gobi jerboa in China
Northern tamandua in Costa Rica
Spectral bat in Belize
Check out our new paper for #FossilFriday! We describe a new latest Paleocene mammal fauna and propose an updated division of the Clarkforkian NALMA. By relying on immigrant taxa, this approach should allow for correlation of Paleocene faunas throughout North America.
A latest Paleocene mammal fauna from the Great Divide Basin in southern Wyoming and a revised biozonation of the Clarkforkian land mammal age
A new latest Paleocene mammal fauna from the Great Divide Basin in southern Wyoming is described and compared with fossil assemblages of similar age elsewhere in Wyoming. The Twelvemile Gulch local...
www.tandfonline.com
December 27, 2024 at 6:56 PM
Check out our new paper for #FossilFriday! We describe a new latest Paleocene mammal fauna and propose an updated division of the Clarkforkian NALMA. By relying on immigrant taxa, this approach should allow for correlation of Paleocene faunas throughout North America.
Reposted by Matt Jones, PhD
Check out our new #OA paper, part of EJLS' special issue "A Global Perspective on Adaptive Radiation"! With @aigverte.bsky.social & Marco Mello, we review the intrinsic & extrinsic factors potentially underlying the phyllostomid adaptive radiation 🦇https://doi.org/10.1093/evolinnean/kzae032
The ecomorphological radiation of phyllostomid bats
Abstract. Neotropical leaf-nosed bats (family Phyllostomidae) underwent an impressive adaptive radiation characterized primarily by the diversification of
doi.org
December 20, 2024 at 12:58 AM
Check out our new #OA paper, part of EJLS' special issue "A Global Perspective on Adaptive Radiation"! With @aigverte.bsky.social & Marco Mello, we review the intrinsic & extrinsic factors potentially underlying the phyllostomid adaptive radiation 🦇https://doi.org/10.1093/evolinnean/kzae032
Reposted by Matt Jones, PhD
A question for my Paleo people...I am adding a class on ethics in Paleontology to my 4th year undergrad seminar on Primate Evolution. I'd appreciate some suggestions for readings that students at that level are likely to find digestible and relevant. Thanks!
December 2, 2024 at 6:53 PM
A question for my Paleo people...I am adding a class on ethics in Paleontology to my 4th year undergrad seminar on Primate Evolution. I'd appreciate some suggestions for readings that students at that level are likely to find digestible and relevant. Thanks!
Reposted by Matt Jones, PhD
Upcoming info sessions for folks interested in joining the 2025 instructional staff team!
RSVP here: forms.gle/cMeXD9dVyarx...
RSVP here: forms.gle/cMeXD9dVyarx...
December 1, 2024 at 3:25 AM
Upcoming info sessions for folks interested in joining the 2025 instructional staff team!
RSVP here: forms.gle/cMeXD9dVyarx...
RSVP here: forms.gle/cMeXD9dVyarx...
Reposted by Matt Jones, PhD
#Marchofthrmammals2024 day 22 Synemporion keana, Hawaii's third endemic mammal
#sciart #paleoart #paleontology
#sciart #paleoart #paleontology
March 27, 2024 at 2:26 AM
#Marchofthrmammals2024 day 22 Synemporion keana, Hawaii's third endemic mammal
#sciart #paleoart #paleontology
#sciart #paleoart #paleontology
Reposted by Matt Jones, PhD
Plesiorycteropus madagascarensis for day 21 of #marchofthemammals2024
#sciart #paleoart #paleontology
#sciart #paleoart #paleontology
March 25, 2024 at 8:41 PM
Plesiorycteropus madagascarensis for day 21 of #marchofthemammals2024
#sciart #paleoart #paleontology
#sciart #paleoart #paleontology
Reposted by Matt Jones, PhD
For #FossilFriday, a few lovely examples of _Ophiomorpha_, an ichnogenus attributed to burrowing shrimp. These specimens were preserved in a 125,000 year-old fossil reef complex on San Salvador Island (The Bahamas), which I was lucky enough to see last week there. #ichnology
March 22, 2024 at 6:09 PM
For #FossilFriday, a few lovely examples of _Ophiomorpha_, an ichnogenus attributed to burrowing shrimp. These specimens were preserved in a 125,000 year-old fossil reef complex on San Salvador Island (The Bahamas), which I was lucky enough to see last week there. #ichnology