Jobs Archive
Museum Preparator
Vacancy Ref: #18487
Deadline for applications - None stated
The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world’s most iconic teaching and research institutions. Since 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world. Berkeley’s culture of openness, freedom and acceptance—academic and artistic, political and cultural—make it a very special place for students, faculty and staff.
The Human Evolution Research Center (HERC), at the University of California Berkeley, is dedicated to the study of human origins and evolution. HERC represents an international focal point for field and laboratory research and education. It is a center for the study of the process and products of human evolution. Research by the Human Evolution Research Center includes both field and laboratory investigation. The many steps in the process of generating knowledge about human origins and evolution are illustrated in this interactive diagram. The Middle Awash paleoanthropological research project is based in HERC.
In a research center combining anthropological and paleontological resources, incumbent performs assigned tasks including inventory, cataloging of collections, preservation and duplication of two and three dimensional objects such as 35mm transparencies and plaster/epoxy replicas, and bibliographic entry and organization involving published scholarly materials. In addition, the Museum Preparator provides general collections access assistance to Visitors, Postdoctoral Scholars, and Graduate students
Responsibilities
•Digitalize/scan field slides using 35mm transparencies.
•Assist with the compiling of basic bibliographic resources related to the HERC’s skeletal and cast collections.
•Assists with curation of current skeletal and fossil casts.
•Uses existing software, prepares labels for former/previous acquisitions and enters data into curatorial database.
•Collections data assistance (under the direction of Postdocs and Graduate students).
•Performs routine data entry for the previous acquisitions and the retroactive data capture of existing specimens.
•Performs routine data entry of transaction records.
•Routine clerical filing of transaction paperwork.
•Handles artifacts for a variety of purposes including exhibition installation.
Required Qualifications
•Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma; and knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.
•Basic computer skills in Word and Excel.
•Skilled in making computer generated specimen labels with high degree of accuracy, proven data entry skills.
•Ability to clearly understand and follow instructions in spoken and written English.
•Ability to perform routine tasks for extended periods of time with minimal error rate.
•Manual dexterity.
•Ability to handle archival material with care.
•Attention to detail.
•Knowledge of basic digital and hard-copy bibliographic resources.
•Physical ability to repetitively lift light objects to 6’ height (using a step stool if needed).
Preferred Qualifications
•Prior curatorial experience with skeletal remains, artifacts, and fossil casts
•Prior data-entry experience for geological, paleontological and archaeological specimens
•Prior bibliographic experience
Collections Assistant (Earth Collections)
Location: Oxford, UK.
The 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. It is seeking to appoint a Collections Assistant for the Earth Collections for 12 months, to provide cover during the maternity leave of one of our Collections Managers.
The successful candidate will work flexibly across all areas of Earth Collections, but have an emphasis on carrying out a programme to treat and store in anoxic/low humidity conditions, specimens that have 'pyrite decay' or are vulnerable to it.
They will also facilitate research and educational visits, manage research loans; answer enquiries from researchers and the wider public, work with teams to progress the cataloguing, storage and exhibition of the Earth Collections, and deliver outreach and public engagement in science activity. They will train and manage museum volunteers and interns, including those assisting with the pyrite conservation programme.
For this post, you should have a track record of collections-focused museum work, and an excellent knowledge and understanding of general geology.
You will need to have excellent team working skills, show evidence of working effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team, and have good IT skills with a track record of working with relational databases.
As part of your online application, you will be required to upload a covering letter and a full CV.
If you have any enquiries, please contact the Head of Earth Collections, Monica Price (monica.price@oum.ox.ac.uk).
To apply for this post and for further details, including a job description and selection criteria, please go to http://www.ox.ac.uk/about_the_university/jobs/index.html
Closing date: 26 September 2014.
Interview date 6th October 2014
The University of Oxford is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
E. C. Pelham-Clinton Fellow (Entomology)
Job ref: 39305
Position: E. C. Pelham-Clinton Fellow (Entomology)
Organisation: National Museums Scotland
Location: UK, Scotland, Edinburgh
Closing date: 19/09/2014
Salary: £30,935 - £34,648 per annum
Details:
E. C. Pelham-Clinton Fellow (Entomology)
National Museums Scotland
UK, Scotland, Edinburgh
National Museums Scotland is one of the UK's leading museum services. It has a national and international reach and operates four museum sites.
A major redevelopment programme has transformed the National Museum of Scotland and it is now the most visited attraction in the UK outside London. Inspired by a £80 million Masterplan, the redevelopment made fundamental changes to what we offer visitors, making much more of our beautiful building and rich collections to reveal our treasures in new ways. Two phases have been completed - on time and on budget. To date over £60m of investment has been provided by the Scottish Government, the Heritage Lottery Fund, and over 1,000 generous donors.
The next phase is an ambitious £14.1 million vision for our internationally important collections of Art & Design and Science & Technology.
As well as a vibrant annual programme of exhibitions, events and digital experiences across our museums and collections, we are restoring two historic hangars at the National Museum of Flight with exciting new visitor displays and creating new research and storage facilities at the National Museums Collection Centre.
£30,935 - £34,648 per annum plus membership of Civil Service pension scheme
Pelham-Clinton Entomological Fellowships were established in the National Museums Scotland by the family of the late E. C. Pelham-Clinton, the Duke of Newcastle, who was Curator of Entomology, 1960-1981.
This is a two year, fixed term research post in the Entomology Section of the Department of Natural Sciences.
As a Pelham-Clinton Fellow, you will undertake original research on a portion of the Entomology collection that includes your special group of interest.
You will prepare publications to disseminate your research results and make accessible knowledge about the collection.
You will develop a portion of the collection through acquisitions, including fieldwork, and will be called upon to contribute to public engagement programmes.
Comprising nearly 2 million specimens, the Entomology collection contains material from all over the world, but emphases Scottish, British and then European insects. It has particular strengths in Lepidoptera, Odonata, small orders and certain Coleoptera Diptera and Hymenoptera.
Qualified to postgraduate level, or with equivalent experience in Zoology, you will have specialised knowledge of the taxonomy and systematics of a group of insects, as well as proven research ability and experience of working with Entomology collections and relevant subject areas.
You must be able to work effectively to meet deadlines, both independently and as part of a team, and possess good communication and ICT skills.
A driving licence is essential.
Your application must include an outline of a specific programme of research that complements and utilises the National Museums' Entomology collections.
The research should centre upon a scientific question that you propose to investigate, and outline the approach that you will adopt during the tenure of the fellowship.
Details of this post and of all our vacancies can be viewed on www.nms.ac.uk.
For further information and an application pack, please visit www.nms.ac.uk, email applications@nms.ac.uk or telephone 0131 247 4094 (answerphone), stating reference NMS14/446.
Closing date for completed applications is Friday 19th September 2014.
Please note that CVs are not considered as, or as part of, applications and will not be forwarded to the shortlisting process.
National Museums Scotland is committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Exhibition Curator
The Wellcome Trust Genome Campus is being developed as a hub of science, business, advanced scientific training and cultural activities.
In particular, we are establishing the campus as a pre-eminent and internationally renowned centre for scientific courses, conferences and public engagement in the area of genetics and genomics.
To support the development of our cultural activities Genome Research Ltd is seeking to appoint an Exhibition Curator to take responsibility for the development of a new open exhibition space within the Hinxton Hall Conference Centre. Working closely with our Public Engagement team and with multiple partners across the Campus and beyond the successful candidate will take responsibility of this space from a blank canvas to a series of informative, engaging and inspiring installations in a short time frame.
In order to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the space, we expect the approach to be multidisciplinary and experimental and installations will incorporate elements of science, art and history. Although the focus is initially on the Conference Centre, other installation opportunities are also possible.
Ideally, we are seeking an experienced Exhibitions Curator who can hit the ground running, has experience of successfully managing permanent and temporary exhibitions and can bring enthusiasm and a creative flare to the development of the exhibition space. You will be inquisitive about and interested in the impact of science on everyday life and will be able to translate that curiosity into tangible installations that are engaging and informative. You will be able to demonstrate a good understanding of a range of communication tools including social media and be able to formulate appropriate communications to promote activities on Campus to a wide range of different publics.
Under direction of the Head of Public Engagement, you will be able to liaise and work with a range of stakeholders. You will be a consummate communicator able to engage and influence at all levels, dedicated, self-motivated, organised and able to deliver installations on time and within budget.
Although this is our ideal candidate, we are happy to receive CVs from those with less experience but who possess drive, enthusiasm and the technical capabilities to develop and deliver awe-inspiring installations.
Once you understand the vision, you will want to be here to help make it happen.
Essential Skills
• Degree in Museum Studies or an equivalent qualification
• Enthusiasm for science and scientific curiosity
• Flair for creating exhibitions that make science accessible to lay publics
• Experience of working with artists and designers
• Excellent project management skills and evidence of the ability to plan work to meet agreed standards, deadlines and budgets
• Demonstrable experience of financial budgeting and monitoring procedures and working on grant/fundraising applications
• High-level of computer literacy
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral
• The ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships both with colleagues and external collaborators
• Willingness and ability to work unusual hours as required
Ideal Skills
• Some scientific training at school level or higher
• Experience of successfully managing permanent and temporary exhibitions within a museum, gallery or other exhibition space
• Good knowledge and experience of developing promotion materials, use of social media and electronic means for communicating news of the exhibitions
Other information
The Genome Campus is a 100 acre estate south of Cambridge in the grounds of Hinxton Hall (www.hinxton.org). Nestled in the quiet countryside of these landscaped gardens, are two world-class research facilities: the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI). The Campus is also home to the Wellcome Trust Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences programme and the Wellcome Trust Conference Centre.
The Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, home to the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute, has embarked on an ambitious program of development. A Director of Scientific Conferences and Engagement has recently been appointed with the goal of making the campus a globally recognised centre of excellence for scientific communication, engagement and advanced education. As part of this vision the Wellcome Trust Conference Centre is currently undergoing an exciting refurbishment to install a glass domed roof, which will provide an exciting new space to be used for conferences, meetings and public exhibitions.
In addition to its peaceful location the campus offers excellent facilities including a state of the art data centre, gym, two cafes, a nursery, dining facilities, a cycle to work scheme, car sharing and free campus buses from various locations around Cambridge.
Equally important to campus life is the range of social activities offered by the Sports and Social Club whether it is a Burns' Night Supper, the Mid-Summer Ball or a quiz night there are opportunities to meet with people working across the organization.
Learning, development and networking are other important aspects of life on campus. There are a range of scientific seminars with our own and invited speakers, scientific group meetings and skills development workshops.
To apply please go to https://jobs.sanger.ac.uk/wd/plsql/wd_portal.show_job?p_web_site_id=1764....
Entomology Preparator, Management of Collections from African Project
Vacancy reference: KR/NHM/EPAP
Location: South Kensington
Area of business: Life Sciences
Role description: Working at the Natural History Museum site in South Kensington, under the direct supervision of the Collections Manager of Coleoptera, the Entomological Preparator will work alongside another preparator, who together will take responsibility for the efficient processing, from field samples to fully prepared specimens, of a large entomological collection made on a series of expeditions to East Africa.
Most of the material is in alcohol and will need to be mounted, labelled, and added to the project database, which already stands at some 28,000 records. Mounted and labelled material will need to be identified and labelled with identifications, or sent to specialists for identification, before being incorporated into the collections of the Natural History Museum.
Although the primary focus of the role is in specimen preparation and identification, the successful applicant will have opportunities to participate in fieldwork, to contribute to or lead on publications based on the material processed, and to participate in Public Outreach.
As part of a larger team, the successful applicant will also be expected to play an appropriate part in the activities of the section, department and the Museum.
Role competences: 1. Educated to degree level in a biological sciences subject, or equivalent experience
2. Demonstrable experience of working with Museum insect collections
3. Skilled at mounting and labelling insect specimens (different techniques)
4. Significant experience in species level identification, with the ability to accurately identify Coleoptera to family
5. Computer literacy and experience of using relational databases
6. Skilled at collecting Coleoptera in tropical environments
7. Familiar with the rules of zoological nomenclature with an understanding of the concept of type specimens
8. Experienced fieldworker, practised in use of a wide range of fieldwork techniques to collect insects in a variety of habitats and environments
9. Demonstrable knowledge about the theory and practice of collecting, including the history of, and the reasons for, entomological collecting
10. Ability to carry projects to completion or publication (as part of this competence, please provide a list of your selected relevant publications or of completed projects – you may also wish to provide this by uploading an additional document to your application)
Online application process: Completing the online application form.
You are required to address each criterion from the competences (requirements) section of the role specification (section 3).
Please provide specific examples from your achievements, knowledge, skills or experience to demonstrate how you meet each of these competences for the role.
Science Educator
Vacancy reference: KR/NHM/SE
Location: South Kensington
Employment type: Any
Job family: Science
Area of business: Public Engagement
Role description: We are looking for several highly skilled Science Educators to join our Visitor Experience, Learning and Outreach team.
As a Science Educator you will join a diverse team of science communicators who deliver an exciting array of high quality face to face natural history and science learning experiences to a range of Museum visitors tailored to the learning agendas of the visitors.
As part of the Visitor Engagement Learning and Outreach Team, Science Educators make learning accessible and memorable across the Museum by engaging with visitors (especially children); utilising a number of different formats to encourage scientific enquiry, questioning and dialogue. For example, facilitating learning in dedicated hands-on learning spaces such as ‘Investigate’, delivering workshops and hosting drop-in specimen handling sessions in the galleries. The Learning and Outreach Team aspires to become a leader in the field of face to face museum learning, especially in terms of quality and effectiveness.
Science Educators are at the face of the Museum and act as ambassadors alongside our colleagues in Visitor Engagement to ensure high standards of visitor experience. The primary function of the role is delivering the large and diverse learning offer. There are also opportunities to work alongside colleagues in specialist learning audience teams to assist in the development and subsequent delivery of new and innovative programmes and events for visitors.
A passion for science, especially natural history, and excellent face to face communication skills are essential for this post. Previous experience of delivering learning opportunities for a variety of audiences, encouraging questioning and dialogue, is also essential.
Salary:
-1 Full Time Role - 41 including lunch breaks - £23,480 per annum plus benefits
-1 Part Time Role - 18 excluding lunch breaks - £11,740 per annum plus benefits
-2 Weekend Roles - 9.33 excluding lunch breaks - £6,085.23 per annum plus benefits
Contract: Permanent Appointment
Closing Date: Midnight on Wednesday 3 September 2014
Role competences:
1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent qualification) in a natural science, or equivalent experience
2. Teaching qualification (PGCE), or equivalent experience
3. Able to demonstrate a passion for natural history and an ability to inspire others
4. Broad experience of delivering high quality face to face learning opportunities for schools and families, particularly in natural history or science education
5. An in depth understanding of education theory and how people learn, with a working knowledge of what makes a quality museum learning experience
6. Demonstratable experience of checking and monitoring health and safety issues
7. An awareness and understanding of a broad range of access issues
8. Highly developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and confidently to visitors, staff, peers and managers, both individually and in groups
9. Significant understanding of the nature of science and scientific processes
10. An awareness of current science education research and best practice
11. A track record as an excellent team player with a proven ability to make a difference
12. Extensive experience of working with the public and excellent customer care skills
Online application process:
Completing the online application form.
You are required to address each criterion from the competences (requirements) section of the role specification (section 3).
Please provide specific examples from your achievements, knowledge, skills or experience to demonstrate how you meet each of these competences for the role.
Please use one field per competence and using no more than 140 words per field, provide us with the information of how you meet this competence.
Tenure-Track Faculty Candidate (Assistant Professor / Curator of Paleontology)
The Museum of Paleontology and the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Michigan are searching for a tenure-track faculty candidate in the field of Paleontology. This is a university year appointment with an expected start date of September 1, 2015. We anticipate an appointment at the assistant professor/assistant curator level, but applications at other levels will be considered.
We seek applicants who have broad research and teaching interests within developing areas of evolutionary or environmental paleobiology, including, but not restricted to, macroevolution, interactions of developmental biology and evolution, extinction dynamics, paleoecology, organismal paleobiology, and biotic responses to global change. The Museum and Department will consider outstanding applicants in any of these areas. Taxonomic expertise is expected, but the specific area is open.
The successful candidate is expected to establish a leading research program and contribute to both undergraduate and graduate teaching. The appointment in the Museum of Paleontology involves shared curatorial responsibility for a major research collection, now on the threshold of significant enhancement of its online footprint.
Applicants must have a PhD and should submit a CV, a statement of current and future research plans, a statement of teaching philosophy and experience, evidence of teaching excellence, and names of at least four persons who can provide letters of recommendation. Further information about the Museum of Paleontology and the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences can be found at: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/paleontology/ and http://www.lsa.umich.edu/earth, respectively.
To apply please go to http://www.earth.lsa.umich.edu/paleofacultysearch/newapplicant, complete the online form, and upload the required application documents as a single PDF file. If you have any questions or comments, please send an email message to: Michigan-paleo-search@umich.edu.
The application deadline is October 31, 2014 for full consideration, but applications will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. The University is supportive of the needs of dual-career couples. The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Science Administrator
Vacancy reference: KR/NHM/SA
Location: South Kensington
Role description: The role of Science Administrator will be split between Research and Consulting Office (RCO) and the Science Administration Team (SAT) both of which are in Science Resources. This will require having a split location in the South Kensington site.
RCO provide financial administrative support and project management for externally funded grant awards and consultancy contracts, monitor and provide pre-award grant applications support.
SAT provide centralised financial administrative support across Science Group, as well as managing and maintaining core budgets.
The post holder will be required to provide administrative support to RCO and SAT operations, work closely with the Museum’s internal departments such as Finance, HR and department operations team administrators and perform general administration and tasks for Science Group.
Role competences:
1. Educated to Degree level or significant experience in a similar role.
2. Excellent communication skills both verbal and written, with the ability to interact with museum staff at all levels
3. Experience of dealing with external customers including those that do not have English as a first language
4. Good problem solving skills
5. Ability to organise, plan and prioritise own workload effectively
6. Strong customer focus, with a proven ability to build positive working relationships
7. Excellent IT skills – particularly MS Excel
8. Significant experience in an office administration role
9. Prior experience of working in an academic environment with an interest in science
10. Proactive team player, with the ability to make positive contributions to a team
11. A Flexible approach to work, with the ability to work well in a fast paced, fluid environment, whilst maintaining a professional manner at all times
Online application process: Completing the online application form.
You are required to address each criterion from the competences (requirements) section of the role specification (section 3).
Please provide specific examples from your achievements, knowledge, skills or experience to demonstrate how you meet each of these competences for the role.
Please use one field per competence and using no more than 140 words per field, provide us with the information of how you meet this competence.
Program Manager
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is the world's leading resource for conservation, research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. The Lab is a vibrant unit within Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), where twelve world-class, mission-driven programs are directed by full-time faculty and other renowned professionals. Lab staff teach undergraduate courses, advise graduate students, collect and disseminate world-famous digital resources on biodiversity, and engage with partner organizations and citizens around the world to conduct scientific research and conservation actions. Our management and staff are committed to the highest standards of ethics and excellence in all areas of our work, and our Board leadership includes faculty from Cornell and other universities, successful entrepreneurs and managers from the business and non-profit sectors, and conservation-minded citizens from the United States and beyond.
The Macaulay Library (ML) at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (the Lab) is the world’s largest (over 250,000 media assets) and oldest (started in 1929) scientific archive of biodiversity media recordings (audio, video and photos); it is the most heavily used archive of its kind in the world. ML assets are media-based biological specimens, much like the specimens in more traditional biological collections, but that uniquely capture the behavioral traits of living organisms. ML media specimens are used extensively in scientific research, having been cited for use in over 600 scientific publications. They are also used for a diversity of non-scientific purposes, including museum exhibits, educational resources, phone/tablet “apps”, commercial products and numerous artistic productions (e.g., Hollywood and documentary films, broadcast television, musical compositions and other high-visibility endeavors). Altogether, ML processes over 350 requests for media per year from outside clients (scientists, educators, museums, artists, etc.), with many of the requests custom tailored and being for hundreds, sometimes thousands, of individual media assets. ML media assets are also used extensively by other units within Cornell University and other Lab programs, for example in media-rich websites. With an annual operating budget that exceeds $1.5 million, ML is involved in a complex mixture of organized and departmental collection, production, outreach, educational and research activities.
The Macaulay Library Program at the Lab is currently seeking a Program Manager. Duties include:
• Oversee the continued development and implementation of ML’s overall collection strategy and will supervise and lead the management of all administrative, operational and collection activities of ML.
• Represent ML from a management perspective in meetings and other interactions within the Lab and the University.
• Ensure that the management, administrative and collection functions of ML operate smoothly and according to Lab and University policy.
• Collaborate with other ML Leadership Team members to implement and communicate the vision of the Program Director and the objectives of ML’s strategic plan into a formulated operating plan, including annual and long-term goals, strategies and finances.
• Collaborate on the setting of activities, projects and strategies that align with ML’s mission and Lab priorities.
• Provide direction and accountability for all day to day collections operations.
• Ensure that priorities are set and met for the development of ML collections, management of media submissions, management of media-specimen preparation and preservation, metadata record creation and enhancement and media distribution.
• Facilitate interdisciplinary dialog and collaboration among the multiple functional areas of ML, such as collections development, collections management, research and interpretation, media engineering, and software/database development.
• Working with the Senior Director of Administration and Operations, oversee the creation, planning, scheduling, and coordination of program and project budgets, the monitoring of expenses, and the facilitation of long-term financial planning which includes assessing risks and benefits of expending program funds with regards to personnel, research, training, productions, collection initiatives, technology, and general program management.
• Collaborate with other Program Directors and Administrators in the Lab to meet the goals and objectives of Lab’s strategic plan and explore opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Provide regular and accurate administrative and financial status reports on program operations to the Lab Administration.
• Collaborate with Human Resources and other supervisors in ML to oversee personnel needs and manage personnel issues including conflict resolution and performance improvement plans.
• Represent and act as programmatic liaison for ML with other institutions, organizations and individuals, within and outside of the United States.
Annual term appointment with possibility of renewal based upon performance and availability of funding.
Applicants to provide cover letter, resume, contact information for 3 references.
Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree; 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent.
• Proven project management, resource management, and supervisory experience and the ability to coalesce staff and resources around a common goal.
• Prior experience working in a library, museum, or similar setting with understanding of the importance of collections and collections management procedures/technology.
• Significant knowledge of, and experience using, media technology; including audiovisual collection development, editing and manipulation technology.
• Must have excellent time-management and negotiation skills.
• Must have a record of successfully meeting schedules and milestones of projects involving multiple stages, participants and stakeholders.
• Must provide high level customer service skills and demonstrated ability to develop effective working relationships with a diverse clientele.
• Proven ability to work in a team environment and independently to accomplish required tasks to achieve program objectives while creating a high-quality and respectful work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to present ideas clearly and concisely in oral and written form to a broad range of people.
• Ability to establish and maintain a safe, productive and respectful working environment.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and facilitate meetings.
• Proven ability to work effectively with researchers, curators, and archivists in a dynamic, creative, multi-disciplinary environment.
• Must be logical and analytical with ability to develop new or revised systems, procedures and work flows.
• Experience working on multiple projects on tight timeframes with multiple stakeholders and ability to hold people accountable for expectations.
• Demonstrated ability to assess the risks and benefits of different options and using sound business practices, make decisions that protect the interest and further the mission of ML and Lab.
• Ability to quickly understand and translate business needs as expressed by stakeholders.
• Ability to balance the goals of the Program with financial stability and sustainability of the Program.
• Must be fluent with modern computers and applications including project management tools, report generation, presentation graphics tools, word processing, spreadsheets and graphs, email, internet browsing.
• Proven budget and grant management skills.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a valid NYS driver’s license.
• Ability to work weekends or evening when required in order to meet pressing deadlines.
• Ability to travel when necessary.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Advanced degree with at least 6 years of management and collections experience.
• Advanced knowledge of digital media technology and digital asset management.
• Strong interest in advancing the cause of scientific conservation and the Lab of Ornithology’s mission of applying research to interpret and conserve the earth's biological diversity.
• Experience in managing scientific or research projects.
• Working knowledge of accounting and other administrative functions.
Background check may be required. No relocation assistance is provided for this position.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery and engagement. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell's far-flung global presence includes the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, as well as the new Cornell Tech campus to be built on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.
Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We’re an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.
Job-Library/Museum
Primary Location-Ithaca
Organization-Laboratory of Ornithology
Schedule-Full-time
Travel-No
Job Type-Standard
Overtime Status-Exempt
Contact Name-Susan Taggart
Number of Openings-1
University Job Title-Library Administrator III
Level-F
Sector*-Contract College
Curator of Entomology
Job Reference: 008854
Job Purpose
To care for, interpret, encourage and facilitate use of the entomological collections belonging to The Hunterian. The post holder will also be required to assist with other invertebrate zoology collections as part of their duties. The post holder will be active in the development of research and other scholarly initiatives on these collections and engage in teaching and learning activity.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1 To ensure that the collections are efficiently managed and documented for their long-term well being.
2 To undertake, facilitate and collaborate in research into The Hunterian entomological collections; to publish research findings in leading journals and through other appropriate media. (20% of time jointly devoted to research/teaching activity).
3 To assist, as required curating the other invertebrate collections and to support the Curator of Zoology in the wider operation of the Zoological collections.
4 To acquire and update subject related knowledge and provide, as appropriate, expert advice to UoG and related organisations on matters pertaining to the collections, and to participate in national and international activities related to the collections.
5 To identify potential sources of funding and secure such funds either as an individual or a team member. To manage these resources effectively and be accountable for their use in relation to the collection.
6 To contribute to University teaching as appropriate, both in established courses with the assistance of a mentor if required, and by collaborating with colleagues to develop new modules, demonstrations and other delivery formats with appropriate assessment mechanisms to meet defined learning objectives. (20% of time jointly devoted to research/teaching activity).
7 To facilitate physical and intellectual access to the collections for HE and other groups and to encourage use of the collections by the widest possible learning audiences, including dissemination though exhibition, digital media and other means.
8 To assist in the development of the collections in accordance with The Hunterian’s strategic development plans.
9 To contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, Glasgow 2020 – A Global Vision
http://www.gla.ac.uk/media/media_180610_en.pdf
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
A1 Degree and post-graduate qualification in an appropriate subject area i.e. Zoology, Entomology or similar with relevant experience as noted below
A2 An appropriate level of knowledge in the discipline of entomology
Desirable
B1 Postgraduate qualification in Museum studies or working towards membership of a relevant professional body or equivalent post-university museum experience
B2 An appropriate knowledge of research methods
B3 A clean full driving licence
Skills
Essential
C1 Excellent organisational skills including time and project management skills, including meeting deadlines and targets
C2 Good level of IT competence in particular familiarity with databases
C3 Excellent research skills
C4 Ability to work independently or as part of a team
C5 Excellent oral and written communication skills, including ability to communicate information of a specialist or highly technical nature clearly
C6 Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills
C7 Ability to engage the interest and enthusiasm of students to inspire learning and to apply appropriate approaches to teaching
C8 Ability to handle collections safely, assessing risk and making decisions accordingly
Experience
Essential
E1 Minimum of 3-5 years' experience of working with entomological collections in a museum, with qualifications above, or evidence of progression and development gained through 7-10 years relevant work experience without qualifications above
E2 Experience in collecting and preserving insects as part of scientific investigation
E3 Experience of museum records management/data entry/digitisation
E4 Research experience and output, particularly collections-based research
E5 Higher Education teaching experience
Desirable
F1 Experience of raising external funding
F2 Experience of working in other types of Zoological collections
Job Features
Dimensions
Responsible for The Hunterian’s collection of ca 600,000 insects from the 18th century onwards, and associated records/archives/library. Working with the Curator of Zoology, part responsibility as required for other invertebrate collections.
The role will actively contribute to The Hunterian’s strategic development, undertaking appropriate teaching, especially at post-grad level, including project supervision as required, as well as research for acquisition, curation, display and publication.
Opportunities exist to engage with cognate research institutes (primarily the Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, http://www.gla.ac.uk/researchinstitutes/bahcm/) to generate research projects and funding.
Planning and Organising
Plan and manage curatorial activities, use and development of the collection and teaching and research activities
Initiate, prepare and submit funding applications both as an individual and as part of a team.
Propose plan and manage exhibition projects.
Decision making
Decide on acquisition and usage of the entomology collections.
Identify and engage expert opinion as required.
Decide on collections research plan with reference to PDR and institutional strategies.
Take responsibility for organisation and use of resources as appropriate.
Internal/external relationships
Internal
Work closely with the Curator of Zoology.
Liaise with line manager [Senior Curator Hunterian Museum], the Hunterian management and other Hunterian colleagues as appropriate.
Collaborate with colleagues and students in appropriate University subjects, schools and colleges and work with other University Services departments as required.
External
Liaise with national and international expertise in this subject to facilitate best practice and research.
Collaborate and contribute to local, national and international bodies appropriate to the subject.
Work with funding sources as appropriate.
Work with the public.
Problem Solving
Understanding historical data to resolve issues in establishing reliable provenances and background information on specimens.
Contribute to resolving issues in the collections management, conservation, storage and documentation of the collection.
Resolving issues arising in pursuit of research objectives.
Resolving issues regarding funding applications.
Answer public and other queries e.g.on identification of specimens.
Assist subject areas and students to resolve teaching and learning related issues.
Other
It is desirable that the postholder has a full clean driving licence and would be required to sit and pass the University Garage Driving Test that permits usage of University vehicles. Entomological Collections (ca 600,000 specimens)
Zoology Collections (ca 100,000 specimens)
William Hunter’s (1718-1783) own collection of insects numbers about 7,600 specimens containing c.500 primary types. It is extremely important historically as an intact C18th collection that was used by contemporary scientists such as Johann Christian Fabricius (1745-1808), primary entomological pupil of Carl von Linnaeus (1707-1778) and the Paris naturalist Guillaume Antoine Olivier (1756-1814). Major donations from two local collectors Thomas George Bishop (1846-1922) and James Joseph Francis Xavier King (1855-1933) and other acquisitions over the years make the university’s collection a substantial resource. The physical well-being of the collections is being developed substantially using the latest storage and retrieval units for collection management.
The whole collection is strong in the Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera and Hemiptera and there is good representation in other orders. The specimens are world-wide in origin. Recent field work has added high quality material from some ecological and taxonomic research projects.
Amongst other terrestrial invertebrates spiders are well-represented and the molluscs are worldwide and with considerable historical interest through their connection with William Hunter.Standard Terms & Conditions
Terms & Conditions
Salary will be on the Management, Professional and Administrative Grade, level 7, £33,242 - £37,394 per annum, pro rata (21 hours per week).
New entrants to the University will be required to serve a probationary period of 6 months.
The successful applicant will be eligible to join the Universities’ Superannuation Scheme. Further information regarding the scheme is available from the Superannuation Officer, who is also prepared to advise on questions relating to the transfer of Superannuation benefits.
Ref: 008854, closing date 7 September 2014.