Jobs Archive
Collections & Learning Curator
Can you manage collections and bring the stories they hold to life?
We are seeking outstanding communicators with proven interpretation, collections care community engagement and events skills to join our Collections and Learning Team at Ipswich.
This is an exciting time to join our Museum Service as major capital developments and new ways of working in our museums are changing the cultural landscape of Colchester and Ipswich.
We welcome applicants who can demonstrate their experience and commitment to engaging audiences with collections in innovative and creative ways. Knowledge and experience in the following areas would also be an advantage:
•Natural History/Science
•Events management in a museum context
•Learning in a museum context
In this role you will be responsible for all aspects of collections care, interpretation, engagement, events and learning across our three museum sites: Ipswich Museum, Art School Gallery and Christchurch Mansion.
Applicants should be aware that the shortlisting process may include a brief telephone interview.
Collections Manager (Earth)
Oxford University Museum of Natural History houses the University’s internationally important geological and zoological collections, which are used for research, teaching, and public engagement in science.
The Collections Manager will work flexibly across Earth Collections (palaeontology, mineralogy and petrology), but with particular emphasis on the development and management of the mineralogy and petrology collections. The postholder will be responsible for documentation, imaging, databases and preventative conservation, and will facilitate research visits and loans. The postholder will also participate as part of a team to develop new exhibitions and displays, and will participate fully in the museum’s outreach and public engagement programme. It is expected that the postholder will engage in field collecting and collections-based research.
You should have a degree with a substantial Earth Sciences component together with a postgraduate degree in museum studies or geology. You will have an excellent working knowledge and understanding of mineralogy and petrology, a track record of collections-focused museum work, evidence of working effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team, and experience of working with relational databases and collections management systems.
This is a full-time post, part-time working will be considered.
As part of your online application, you will be required to upload a covering letter that shows how you meet the selection criteria, and a full CV. For further details see the website (www.oum.ox.ac.uk) or contact the Director of the Museum, Professor Paul Smith (tel: 01865 272956; email: paul.smith@oum.ox.ac.uk).
Only applications received before 12.00 midday on Monday 9 January 2017 can be considered. Interview date will be Monday 23 January 2017.
Contact Person : Professor Paul Smith
Contact Phone : 01865 272956
Contact Email : paul.smith@oum.ox.ac.uk
Closing Date : 09-Jan-2017
Vacancy ID : 126307
Animal Assistant
ref: CPE9.16
Salary: £20,200 per annum (rising to £20,604 after probation)
Contract type: Permanent
Hours of work: Full time/35 hour week. Working a 14 day rota of work (Mon - Sun), days off (Mon & Tues), work (Wed - Fri), days off (Sat & Sun).
The Horniman Museum and Gardens in south east London has been open since Victorian times, when the tea trader and philanthropist, Frederick John Horniman first opened his house and extraordinary collection of objects to the local community. Since then, our collection has grown significantly and includes internationally important collections of anthropology and musical instruments, as well as an acclaimed aquarium and natural history gallery - all surrounded by 16 acres of beautiful Gardens offering breathtaking views across London.
The Animal Walk further brings to life founder Frederick Horniman's vision of an outside space reflecting the Museum's collections. Linking to the Museum's Natural History collections, it looks at the connection between domesticated animals and their wild relations, and why people live alongside domesticated animals. Home to alpacas, goats, sheep, guinea pigs, rabbits, chickens and more, the Animal Walk guides visitors on a walk through the centre for a close up view of the animals.
We are looking for an Animal Assistant to assist the Animal Keeper in the day-to-day running of the Animal Walk. You'll have a BTEC in Animal Management (or equivalent) and genuine flair and enthusiasm for animal care.
You will have had hands-on experience of caring for animals (ideally in a city farm/wildlife centre/zoo environment), and will be used to interacting with the public in a busy and popular attraction - you'll be able to inform and enthuse visitors of all ages about the animals in your care. You'll be able to work in all aspects of running the Animal Walk (animal care, maintenance, record-keeping) and willing to work outside all year round in all weathers.
To apply, visit our website: www.horniman.ac.uk/about/jobs
The closing date for applications is 10am on Wednesday 30 November 2016.
Interviews will be held on Wednesday 14 December 2016.
Curator, Earth & Planetary Sciences
The Division of Physical Sciences of American Museum of Natural History seeks to hire a tenure-track assistant curator in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. We seek candidates who will bring petrological and geochemical methods to bear on problems related to planetary evolution. For example, candidates might integrate field, analytical, and theoretical studies of the rock record to provide insights into fundamental aspects of climate, environmental, and biogeochemical variability through time. The successful candidate will have demonstrated scientific creativity and the potential to build and sustain an innovative research program. They will be expected to take advantage of resources available at AMNH, which include world-class geological collections; a wide range of optical, electron beam, and x-ray analytical tools; experimental laboratories; LA-ICPMS facilities shared with Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University; and a program supporting scientific expeditions. They will also oversee and expand the AMNH petrology collection. We welcome an intention and ability to collaborate with colleagues within AMNH and the regional academic community, including Columbia University and The Graduate Center of CUNY, and to engage in AMNH's MA in Teaching of Earth Science and other education initiatives.
The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world's preeminent scientific and cultural institutions. Since its founding in 1869, the Museum has advanced its global mission to discover, interpret and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education and exhibition. The Museum is renowned for its exhibitions and scientific collections, which serve as a field guide to the entire planet and present a panorama of the world's cultures.
The Museum's dedicated employees and volunteers who serve in a variety of ways are each a part of the Museum community, and are each important to the life of the Museum
Required Qualifications
Ph.D.
Natural Science Research Curator II
The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) vision is to be the leader in using the state's natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. Our mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state's history, conserving the state's natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.
The NC Museum of Natural Sciences mission is to illuminate the interdependence of nature and humanity. It is the state's most visited museum, the largest institution of its kind in the southeast US, a National Medal recipient from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and an innovative player in the global field of nature and science museums. The Museum is adding a new section titled Community Engagement to its integrated structure comprising resource administration, collections and research, living collections, exhibits and digital media, education onsite, offsite, online and outdoors, and development in concert with the Friends of the Museum.
This position of Research Curator, Paleontology, has several areas of responsibility, including:
Development of an original scientific research program in Paleontology (vertebrate or invertebrate; taxon unspecified, but non-archosaur focus is preferred); research could involve systematics (taxonomy, phylogenetics), evolution, ecology, and/or related fields; research may have local, regional, and/or international focus and will include pursuit of external research funding, data generation and analyses, and publication/dissemination of results; some aspects of this research should, ideally, include collaborations with other agencies, universities, and/or citizen scientists.
Curatorial responsibilities for the Paleontology Research Collection, including maintenance and growth of collection, migrating collections data to database format, specimen loan activities, and setting curatorial best-practice guidelines for collection
Assisting Paleontology Unit Head with the operational management and administration of the Paleontology Unit, a subdivision of the Research & Collections section; duties may include supervision of laboratory with oversight of equipment, budgets, and personnel.
Participation in science communication initiatives, including participation in Museum educational programming, delivering public science-based presentations, conducting tours, interacting with Museum visitors, serving as a role model for students and citizen scientists, and creating programmatic themes that raise the science literacy of visitors.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies
Considerable taxonomic/systematic knowledge of Paleontology, in general, and of some taxonomic groups (vertebrate, invertebrate, or paleobotany, but non-archosaurian preferred), specifically experience applying principles and practices of research, with special expertise in at least one aspect of Paleontological systematics (taxonomy, phylogenetics), evolution, ecology, and/or related fields.
Demonstrated mastery of materials, equipment, and techniques used in relevant research (laboratory based protocols and fieldwork) and specimen collection curatorial activities.
Demonstrated track record of effective and creative science communication to diverse audiences.
Experience managing/supervising research projects, a research laboratory, and/or personnel.
Experience in preparing grant proposals to fund paleontological research and/or administering budgets supporting research or collections-related activities.
Experience in publishing technical science papers in peer-reviewed journals.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Possession of a master's degree in biology, zoology, or a science curriculum related to area of expertise and three years of experience in specialty area; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Preferred: A Ph.D. in paleontology or related science field.
Additional Information to include: Applicants should attach: a current CV; contact information for 3 personal references; and a vision statement outlining their short and long term research goals, their approach to collection curation, and their philosophy and objectives regarding science communication
Collections Manager
Museum introduction:
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain region’s leading resource for informal science education. Located in the heart of Denver’s City Park, and neighbor to the Denver Zoo, the Museum offers a variety of exhibitions, programs, and activities that help Museum visitors experience the natural wonders of Colorado, Earth, and the universe. More than 300,000 students and teachers are served by Museum each year. The Museum houses artifacts and specimens in its collections from around the world.
Job Description
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science seeks a Collections Manager in the Department of Earth Sciences to curate and manage approximately 1.2 million specimens in the areas of Vertebrate Paleontology, Invertebrate Paleontology, Paleobotany, Palynology, Ichnology, Research Casts, Gems, Minerals, Rocks, Micromounts, and Meteorites. The position supports the effort to grow the scientific output of the Department, to curate and expand its collections, and to help inspire diverse communities’ understanding of, and involvement in, science and the natural world.
The Department of Earth Science is an outwardly focused and collegial team that engages in international fieldwork but has strong emphasis on the geology and paleontology of the American West. The current staff has expertise in invertebrate and vertebrate paleontology and paleobotany, and each curator has at least one scholarly project in Colorado. The Department’s collections are sizeable and are growing; their composition and history are described at http://www.dmns.org/science/collections/. In addition to one full-time collections manager (this position), the Department has five curators, two fossil preparators who run a preparation laboratory that operates 364 days per year, and nearly 400 volunteers who engage in science, collections, and outreach.
Essential duties:
Practices professional collections management for department collections, including knowledge and application of laws and regulations pertaining to collections.
Facilitates the accession, deaccession, documentation, registration, and preparation of collections.
Organizes and systematically stores specimens for ease of access, and for long-term preservation.
Facilitates internal and external access and use of collections for purposes of research, education, loan, and exhibit.
Oversees the work of volunteers (approximately 75), provides trainings as required and mentors/supervises volunteers, students, and interns.
Provides information and expertise on collections to internal and external audiences.
Coordinates with Museum departments to support and deliver 5 – 10 (or more) internal and external educational programs per year.
Minimum qualifications:
Master’s Degree in Museum Studies, earth sciences or a related field required. Collection management experience can be substituted for education.
3 years’ experience handling museum collections required.
3 years’ experience with relational databases required.
Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office suite required.
Ideal candidate will:
Be a great team player.
Extremely organized, highly motivated, proactive.
Have supervisory experience.
Be able to positively connect with a wide range of people.
Be able to work across diverse communities.
Desire to learn international, federal, state and local laws and protocols for specimen care, and understand the goals and needs of natural history collections.
Core values:
We love science.
We are curious, creative and playful.
We cultivate relationships with each other, diverse communities, the environment and for our future.
We think critically and act with empathy.
Director of Collections
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) seeks a Director of Collections, an individual with a Ph.D. degree or equivalent experience, and the ability to provide a vision for the development, growth, enhancement, direction, and management of the Museum’s vast and diverse natural and cultural collections.
NHM is the largest natural history museum in the western United States and home to one of the world’s most extensive and valuable collections of natural and cultural history. These collections are world-class in size, quality, and research importance, and they sustain award-winning research, education, and exhibit programs. Included in the collections are more than 35 million specimens and objects, some as old as 4.5 billion years. These collections encompass those at the main Natural History Museum in Exposition Park, the world-famous La Brea Tar Pits and Museum in the mid-Wilshire area of Los Angeles, and the historic William S. Hart Museum in Newhall, as well as collections maintained at several off-site facilities.
Reporting directly to the Vice President of Research & Collections, the Director of Collections will assist and advise the leadership of Research & Collections on policy development and implementation. He or she will guide collections plans, funding initiatives, strategic growth, digitization efforts, inventories, space allocation, and performance metrics. The Director of Collections will work closely with (but not directly supervise) the curatorial and collections staff, the registrars, conservators, and database managers to oversee a wide-range of collections activities and programs aimed toward making the Museum’s collections more relevant to research and education while increasing their accessibility and use. The successful applicant will have excellent communication skills, a talent for collaboration across disciplines, and the ability to engage and excite both our colleagues and public audience through the relevance of our collections. This position will also be responsible for maintaining and strengthening NHM’s presence in key professional and governmental networks, and for establishing active internal NHM collaborations and cross-departmental initiatives.
The qualified candidate will have a strong background in collections care, management, digitization, and records documentation. He or she will have experience in generating external funding via competitive grants and/or other external sources to support collections. Experience in conducting collections-based research would be an advantage, as would an interest in creative ways of engaging the public in collection support initiatives (e.g., citizen science collections-based activities).
Associate professor in systematic entomology
There is a vacancy for a permanent position as associate professor in systematic entomology at the University Museum of Bergen, Department of Natural History.
The museum staff execute research, collection management and public outreach in natural and cultural history. The department of Natural History has the scientific and curatorial responsibility for botany, geology and zoology at the museum. There are currently employed 13 scientific and 30 technical and administrative staff in this unit, in addition to temporary project staff.
Work tasks/research field:
We are recruiting a productive and innovative researcher in systematic entomology, with emphasis on taxonomy and phylogeny. Research topics are limited to evolutionary relationships, taxonomy and diversity in arthropods (except crustaceans), including evolutionary processes that leads to biological diversity.
Applicants need to document excellent research skills in one or more of these areas. We emphasize competence in both molecular and morphological methods in phylogenetics and taxonomy. The research profile must have a global perspective, but nevertheless targeting organismal groups that are common also in the Nordic region. Research on lesser known and highly diverse groups is preferred, such as parasitoid wasps, mites, and flies.
The position involves the curatorial responsibility for the entomological collections which currently includes 1.2 million objects. We will recruit an entomologist with a sincere dedication to collection development. The selected candidate will also take part in the production of new exhibitions on biodiversity, entomology and related activities at the museum. A genuine interest for public outreach is therefore mandatory. It is also expected that the employee will teach in his or her area of expertise and contribute towards a successful development of the research school in biosystematics (ForBio).
The new employee will be an active partner in the systematics research group and submit extramural grant applications. There is currently a strong focus on lesser known species in Norway and the department continue to provide data for the Norwegian Biodiversity information Centre (Artsdatabanken), BoLD and GBiF.
Qualifications and personal qualities:
•Doctoral degree in systematic entomology or equivalent qualifications
•Experience from research beyond the PhD level: projects and publications during the last five years are given particular attention
•Extensive research and collection networks
•Work independently and in a structured manner, and have the ability to cooperate with others.
•Basic pedagogical training is a requirement for the position. The successful applicant will be offered training if this requirement is not met prior to employment.
We can offer:
•A good and professionally challenging working environment
•Salary at pay grade 57 (code 1011/ Pay range 24, alternative 1) in the state salary scale. This currently amounts to an annual salary of NOK 486.100 before taxes. Further increase in salary will depend on seniority. A higher salary may be considered for a particularly well qualified applicant.
•Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
•A position in an inclusive workplace (IA enterprise)
•Good welfare benefits
Your application must include:
•A brief cover letter expressing your research interest and priorities
•CV
•Diplomas
•References
•Complete list of publications
•List of academic work that the applicant believes should be taken into consideration in the assessment, maximum 10.
•List with appendices that document your pedagogical qualifications
The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at JobbNorge.
General information:
Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting: Head of department, Bjarte Jordal, tlf. (+47) 55582233 / e-post bjarte.jordal@uib.no.
Principal Curator in Charge (PCiC) – 3 Permanent positions in the divisions of Insects, Invertebrates and Vertebrates
This is an opportunity to take up a collections leadership role in a world-renowned institution with a unique scientific mission and public profile.
The successful applicants will join a large science group that comprises a group of approximately 300 scientists, that houses some of the largest and most significant scientific collections in the world, that is home to an internationally important natural history library, that includes a suite of advanced analytical and imaging facilities, and that has the opportunity to communicate science to a huge national and international audience.
Applications are open to collections-based scientists across the breadth of the NHM’s activities in Life Sciences to take up newly developed roles as Principal Curator in Charge (PCiC), in each of 3 of the following Life Science Divisions: Insects, Invertebrates, and Vertebrates; a PCiC position has been filled already in the Division of Algae, Fungi & Plants. We are especially interested in applicants who combine disciplinary expertise with a demonstrated ability to use that expertise to lead access to and development of collections.
PCiC positions are available in the following Divisions: (a) Division of Vertebrates, (b) Division of Invertebrates, (c) Division of Insects
Salary: £43,350 per annum plus benefits
Contract: Permanent role as Band 3 Principal Curator; 5 year rolling appointments as PCiC
Closing date: 9am, Monday 17 October 2016
Role competences: Qualifications:
Relevant higher qualification (MSc or relevant postgraduate experience is required, a PhD is desirable) or equivalent experience with an emphasis on taxonomy or systematics, collections care and the use of natural history collections in science.
The skills and experience required:
1. Collections management, development, conservation and care
In depth knowledge and extensive experience of collections management, care and developmentDemonstrable high-level experience of working with internal and external researchers and facilitating collections-based research projectsExperience of collection digitisation, databases and digital curation
2. Collections scholarship and leadership
A deep knowledge of one or more relevant phyla, their key taxonomic/diagnostic characters and interrelationships, the relevant literature, and with proven ability to describe and delineate speciesTrack record in publishing scientific articles as lead author and experience of taking an executive role in an international society and/or for an academic/professional journalTrack record in supervising PhD/MSc students and/or teaching/training
3. Income generation
Experience in developing applications for external funding to support collections development and/or scholarly collections-based research.
4. Public-facing activities
Demonstrable experience of significant contribution to public-facing activities.Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; presenting, writing, working with the press office and media
5. Management and leadership
Substantial experience of successfully managing and leading teams in line with strategic prioritiesDemonstrable experience of successfully leading and delivering major projects Wide experience of working with a wide variety of stakeholders (internal and external researchers, public engagement, visitors, students, volunteers), as a team leader/member with good interpersonal skills
Online application process: You do not need to complete your application online, but we ask candidates to email their application to Jan Manthey, Recruitment Officer at hrrecruitment @nhm.ac.uk
Identification Trainers for the Future Traineeship
Do you regularly record wildlife either at home or as part of a recording scheme? Are you keen to develop a career in the UK biodiversity sector and to be at the forefront of the resurgence in species identification and taxonomic skills in UK wildlife professionals? If so, you may be exactly the candidate we are looking for.
Funded by the HLF’s Skills for the Future programme, the Natural History Museum, in partnership with the Field Studies Council and National Biodiversity Network, has an exciting new traineeship opportunity to address the decline in species identification skills in the UK biodiversity sector. Between 2015 and 2017 we will be offering fifteen 12-month long traineeship posts based within the Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity. We are now looking to recruit the third group of 5 of these trainees, who will be starting with us in March 2017.
Anyone who can demonstrate a passion for developing a career in wildlife recording, species identification and environmental education is welcome to apply. We do specify however the following restrictions to applicants as the traineeship is intended for early career wildlife professionals:
Minimum qualifications: 3 A-levels or equivalent· No more than 6 months paid employment in the UK biodiversity, ecology or conservation sector (no previous paid employment is fine).
· Not previously undertaken a similar traineeship in the UK biodiversity, ecology or conservation sector.
Contract Type: 12-month traineeship
Bursary award: £16,500 per annum (tax exempt) plus benefits
Application Close Date: 9am, 17 October 2016
Selection day: Week commencing 5 December 2016
Role competences: As part of the on-line application, you must provide answers to the following questions. These will be used to short list applicants who will be invited to the selection day. Don’t forget that there is a ‘hints and tips’ sheet on the traineeship webpage (www.nhm.ac.uk/idtrainers) to help you develop your answers to these questions.
1. Describe your areas of interest in UK wildlife. Which groups of species are you particularly interested in?
2. Using relevant examples, describe your involvement in recording UK wildlife. This may be through local or national recording schemes, undertaken as part of a voluntary role you have been doing, a private research project, a project undertaken in school, college or university, or simply recording the wildlife that comes to your garden, local park or nature reserve.
3. Why do you think it is important to support and train people to record wildlife in the UK?
4. The traineeship programme focuses on developing your ability to teach and train others, as well as your species identification skills. Using your own experiences of courses or classes you have attended as examples (whether wildlife-related or not), what do you think are the key features of a good training session?
5. How do you think undertaking this traineeship will benefit you and your future career?
Online application process: Apply on-line before 9am on the 17th October 2016 through the NHM website: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/search-vacancies. For internal applications please apply through the Internal NHM website
Complete the on-line application form. In the ‘Other Information’ section, please provide specific examples from your achievements, knowledge, skills or experience to illustrate your answers to each of the application questions (section 3) for the role. You must complete this section. Please use one field per application question, you can use a maximum of 140 words per field.
Please note:
You must fully complete your on-line application, CV’s are not being accepted for this traineeship
Partially completed applications with CVs attached will be rejected.
Individual cover letters and CVs submitted outside of the on-line application system will not be considered.
The ‘Other Information section’ the system runs on a 35 minute cycle and you will lose any unsaved information. To avoid this, save your application frequently or write your answers in a word document and paste them into the answer fields. Please be aware that anything entered onto the form will not save unless text has been added to all mandatory fields