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Curator (Fossil Bryozoans, Sponges and Worms), The Natural History Museum, London, Great Britain

Posting Date: 7 September 2023
Closing Date: 25 September 2023

Role summary
Title: Curator, Fossil Bryozoans, Sponges and Worms
Contract: Permanent, Full time (36 hours per week)
Location: South Kensington, London
Salary: £33,396 per annum

About the role
Working within the Invertebrates and Plants Palaeobiology curatorial team, the Curator of Fossil Bryozoans, Sponges, Worms and Trace Fossils will have curatorial responsibility within the Natural History Museum’s historically important collection. The role will work closely with those responsible for the equivalent recent collections. The collections are frequently accessed by external researchers and are also used for the NHM’s public engagement activities, including income-generating exhibitions and events for the general public and media.

The curator will:
  • Be responsible for collections management, development, care and identification of conservation needs within the named collections area
  • Identify areas suitable for development and facilitate donations and acquisitions as appropriate
  • Work closely with the NHM Unlocked delivery team to document, organise, sort and prepare the collections to ensure the move to a new site in Reading is both safe and beneficial for the fossil invertebrate collections
  • Ensure best practice in collections care, understand approaches to due diligence and collections Registry policy such as Spectrum Museum standards and apply them to the area of responsibility
  • Provide the information needed to maintain, develop, make accessible and use the collections, particularly by the development of digital records in the collections management system
  • Facilitate research access to the collection and answer enquiries
  • Contribute to scholarly outputs in appropriate outlets (journals, monographs, technical reports, scientific articles, etc)
  • Seek and apply for funding to support projects

Person Specification
  • A postgraduate qualification (e.g. MSc) relevant to invertebrate palaeontology is required for this post.
  • A demonstrable interest in developing expertise in the anatomy and taxonomy of fossil invertebrates, preferably but not restricted to fossil bryozoans, sponges, worms, or trace fossils
  • Experience of working with museum collections, with a good knowledge of both physical curation and the policies and procedures relevant to managing a large research collection
  • Knowledge and/or experience of databases or information management systems for museum collections
  • Ability to work with large and complex datasets
  • Experience of successful delivery of projects as a team member
  • Competent with relevant IT software such as Microsoft Word, Excel etc.
  • The ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a variety of stakeholders (internal and external researchers, public engagement, visitors, students, volunteers)
  • Experience of communicating to a range of different audiences, both in writing and verbally
  • Willingness to travel between Museum sites and work across Life and Earth Sciences.

About Us
We are a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the Museum's unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website.  

Today the Museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things.

We employ 900 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive. We need everyone to have the passion and drive to help us with our mission to create advocates for our planet and inspire millions to care about the natural world.

Diversity and inclusion matter to us.

Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment.

We know we have more to do, but we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works at the Museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.

Thriving at the Museum: the way we work
We are proud to work at the Museum and have identified the qualities we all need to embody to reach our shared ambition. This sits alongside the Museum’s values and forms the framework for the way we work.

Find out more
here

What we offer
  • 27.5 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (full time equivalent)
  • Generous defined contribution Natural History Museum Pension Scheme (employer contribution 4 - 10%)
  • Season ticket, bicycle and rental loan
  • Life insurance
  • Free admission to our exhibitions and many other paid exhibitions at museums, galleries and institutions across London and the UK.
  • Staff discount at our Museum shops and cafes
  • We offer a wide variety of training initiatives and opportunities to build skills. Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about helping staff to grow and fulfil their potential.
  • Affordable membership to the Civil Service Sports Council which offers a range of benefits including an extensive list of special offers and reduced entry fees at a selection of cinema chains, theme parks, theatres, retailers and supermarkets. It also provides entry to up to 300 English Heritage sites and other national treasures. For more details, visit https://www.cssc.co.uk
  • Membership to our Sports and Social Association (for a small fee), which includes access to our in-house gym and clubs such as football, softball, table tennis and tennis and classes in Middle Eastern dance, yoga and Tai Chi

How to apply

If that sounds like you, please apply online on the Natural History Museum’s careers portal, at
https://careers.nhm.ac.uk/

Closing date: 9am, 25th September 2023
Interviews expected w/c 09th October 2023

Please note that this role qualifies for Museum sponsorship. Whilst we would still expect the successful postholder to have valid right to work in the UK at the point of starting the role, the Museum can support in obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role to apply for future or continued right to work in the UK. Please note that while the Museum will support with the cost of the CoS, visa and health surcharge costs will need to be funded by the postholder. Please contact our Recruitment Team at hrrecruitment@nhm.ac.uk if you have any further queries regarding this.

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Assistant Professor (Organismal Biology), Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Brown University, Providence Rhode, Island, USA

Posting Date: 11 September 2023
Closing Date: 12 October 2023

Description
The Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (EEOB) at Brown University seeks to fill a tenure track, Assistant Professor position for a broadly trained organismal biologist who uses integrative approaches to address questions in evolutionary and/or ecological contexts.

The successful candidate is expected to establish a vigorous, externally funded research program, teach gross anatomy to medical students, mentor graduate students, and contribute to departmental and university service. The
EEOB Department fosters a highly collaborative environment among faculty with interests in ecology, evolution, and organismal biology, and benefits from strong ties to colleagues in computer science, engineering, environmental, and biomedical sciences. Teaching expectations for this position include Human Anatomy at Brown's Warren Alpert Medical School, which is a two-semester class team-taught by EEOB faculty. Topics in the class include physiology, biomedical imaging, embryology, neuroanatomy, and gross anatomy of all body systems taught by human cadaver dissection. Experience teaching medical gross anatomy is not required, but candidates should have expertise in at least one of the core topics listed above and be committed to becoming an outstanding medical anatomy educator.

Qualifications
Qualifications for the position include a PhD degree in biology or related fields and postdoctoral experience is preferred. Experience teaching medical gross anatomy is not required, but candidates should have expertise in at least one of the core topics: physiology, biomedical imaging, embryology, neuroanatomy, gross anatomy (including comparative anatomy), and be committed to becoming an outstanding medical anatomy educator.

Application Instructions
Applicants should submit: (1) a cover letter including the names and contact information of at least three references; (2) a curriculum vitae; (3) a research statement; (4) a teaching statement; and (5) a diversity statement. The research and teaching statements should articulate a record of research and teaching accomplishments and lay out a vision for the next five to ten years of scholarship, teaching, and mentorship in EEOB at Brown. Brown University has developed a Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan to ensure that all members of our community — all who live, work and study at the University — are valued, respected, and provided with equal opportunities to thrive. In their diversity statement candidates should address how they are prepared to advance their research, teaching and/or service program with a diversity, equity and inclusion lens. To receive full consideration applications must be received by October 12, 2023. The position will begin on July 1, 2024.

Application Process
This institution is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.

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Assistant Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology, Department of Natural History, Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, Florida
USA

Posting Date: 1 August 2023
Closing Date: 9 October 2023

The
Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida (UF) seeks qualified applicants for a 12-month tenure-track Assistant Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology. This position will be filled at the Assistant faculty level in the Florida Museum’s Department of Natural History. The Vertebrate Paleontology division currently consists of two curators, three full-time staff, and seven graduate students. It has an extensive collection (>1,000,000 specimens) of primarily Cenozoic vertebrate fossils that form the basis for a wide variety of paleontological research. It is the third largest cataloged collection of vertebrate fossils in the United States and provides the most complete foundation available for study of vertebrate life and evolution over the past 65 million years in the eastern United States and the circum-Caribbean Basin area. The collection is notable for housing bio-geographically important vertebrate fossils of South American taxa which were involved in the Great American Biotic Interchange. Additionally, the collection houses Paleogene fossils from Nebraska and Wyoming, early Neogene fossils from the Panama Canal, and one of the world’s largest collections of Quaternary fossils from the circum-Caribbean Basin. More information about these resources is available at the webpage of the Division of Vertebrate Paleontology. The Florida Museum supports a diverse research community studying vertebrates in neontological, paleontological, and anthropological contexts. In addition to collections at the Florida Museum, research is facilitated by UF resources in genetics and genomics, 3D-imaging, and research field stations.

The Florida Museum of Natural History is the official state museum of Florida and is located on the campus of the University of Florida, the state of Florida’s flagship university that is currently ranked No. 5 among the nation’s top public research universities by U.S. News and World Report. The Florida Museum’s mission includes stewardship of 40 million specimens and artifacts, award-winning exhibitions, diverse public programs, and emerging virtual and digital engagement. The research and collections programs of the Department of Natural History are world class and attract about $10 million annually in government and philanthropic support. The Florida Museum is a national and international leader in biodiversity informatics, enhanced by its formative role in
iDigBio, the national hub for digitization of natural history specimens.

The Florida Museum, a college-level unit within UF, is a vibrant community of about 300 employees, including 29 full-time faculty, UF undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral research associates, and museum collections, education, and administrative support staff. Numerous volunteers and interns participate in research, education, and collection activities. The museum has dedicated labs for digital imaging, molecular genetics and genomics, and preparing skeletal specimens, as well as a new building dedicated to housing fluid-preserved collections. The Florida Museum enjoys cross-campus collaborations with many of the 16 UF colleges, including those of potential relevance to this new faculty position: Agricultural and Life Sciences (Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences), Education, Engineering, Libraries, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine. Other campus resources likely of interest to the holder of this position include the UF Genetics Institute, UF Biodiversity Institute, and the Ordway-Swisher Biological Station that is part of National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON).

Qualifications

We seek to hire a creative scholar whose research and teaching are specimen-based and focus on fossil vertebrates. We invite candidates who address questions in the broad field of Paleobiology and who would contribute to, and make use of, the Florida Museum’s vertebrate paleontology collection renowned for its extensive Cenozoic collections of diverse taxa from the southeast US and Caribbean. We anticipate that the successful candidate’s research would bolster current strengths (e.g., evolutionary biology, systematics, biogeography) and grow others (e.g., global change biology, bioinformatics, AI, extinctions, evolutionary paleoecology, conservation paleobiology). An ideal candidate will contribute to the museum’s goals of understanding, preserving, and interpreting biological and cultural diversity, and conduct research with opportunities for integrative collaborations with other faculty and divisions within Florida Museum. Candidates using multidisciplinary approaches are highly encouraged to apply.

Successful candidates should have a Ph.D. in Geology, Biology, or a related field, conduct specimen-based research on fossil vertebrates, and have evidence of excellence in research as demonstrated through publication record, grant record, or potential to conduct grant-funded research. Preference will be given to applicants who would leverage the current Cenozoic Era fossil collection and collaborate across disciplines within the museum. Starting salary range for this position is $90,000 to $105,000 and negotiable based on experience.

Assistant Curator is equivalent to Assistant Professor and is a faculty-rank title at the University of Florida. This is a 12-month and tenure-accruing position.

Application Instructions

Interested applicants must apply online at
https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/527919/ast-curator. Applications must include (1) cover letter; (2) full curriculum vitae, including lists of peer-reviewed publications and grants received; (3) research statement describing the applicant’s current and planned research; (4) statement providing the applicant’s experience with museum collections and their vision for curating, using, and growing the Vertebrate Paleontology collection; (5) statement about the applicant’s experience with teaching, mentorship, outreach, and broadening representation; and (6) list of the names and email addresses of a minimum of three professional references (do not send letters).

Review of applications will begin on
October 9, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled.

The final candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered official if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an educational institution outside of the United States must be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the
National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

For inquiries concerning this position, contact
Dr. Michal Kowalewski, Search Chair.

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida’s Sunshine Law.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Florida is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information and veteran status in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training.


Fixed-Term, Visiting, Postdoctoral & Technical Positions

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Post-Doctoral Position (Biodiversity Loss),Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy

Posting Date: 21 September 2023
Closing Date: 15 October 2023

A new post-doctoral position will soon be opened at Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn in Naples to work on the topic of biodiversity loss in the Mediterranean Sea, including contributions to enriching and curating our collections and to outreach. Salary-wise, this is a junior position for candidates that have completed their PhD studies recently or with few years of post-doc experience. Prerequisites include at least one publication in an indexed journal in a relevant field. Note that my research team is multidisciplinary and operates at the cross-road of taxonomy, ecology and paleontology.

Previous experience with R coding and data analysis (including taxonomic and functional diversity, whether of eco or paleo datasets) and taxonomy of marine mollusks will be favorably evaluated, but I am happy to consider profiles with different expertise (especially in data analysis) if consistent with my research objectives. Experience in collection management (mollusks) and outreach will be a plus.

The contract is for 12 months but renewable until July 2025 (funding already secured).

The publication of the opening will happen in the next few days. Look for "Assegno 31/2023" on this
webpage.

The job ad is in Italian, but it includes a summary of the most important features in English. The documents for the application can be submitted in English.
Deadline for applications will be 15 October 2023.

Please contact me in case you wish further information on the position or you need support with the application.

Dr. Paolo G. ALBANO, Ph.D. (he/him)
Senior Scientist, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Naples, Italy
Research Associate, Department of Paleontology, University of Vienna, Austria
E-mail: pgalbano@gmail.com; Skype: pg.albano
Twitter: @pg_albano; Google Scholar

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Dr. Elizabeth (Betsy) Nicholls Postdoctoral Fellowship, Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, Drumheller, Alberta, Canada

Posting Date: 31 August 2023
Closing Date: 31 October 2023

The Royal Tyrrell Museum Cooperating Society, in collaboration with the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, invites applications for the position of Dr. Elizabeth (Betsy) Nicholls Postdoctoral Fellow. The Fellowship, established in 2005 by the Society, supports research from a wide range of disciplines in palaeontology.

We are seeking qualified applicants to join the Preservation and Research section at the Royal Tyrrell Museum for an initial two-year appointment with the opportunity for a one-year extension. Prospective applicants with research interests in collections-based projects in any palaeontological discipline should assess their qualifications against the following information before applying:

  • The Royal Tyrrell Museum collections include over 177,000 catalogued specimens representing more than one million fossils.
  • The Royal Tyrrell Museum collections have particular strengths in dinosaurs, Cretaceous marine reptiles, Late Cretaceous and early Palaeogene mammals and plants, palynomorphs, Cretaceous ammonites and gastropods, and Late Cretaceous and early Palaeogene freshwater and terrestrial gastropods and bivalves.
  • Current research programs at the Royal Tyrrell Museum include dinosaur systematics and palaeoecology, vertebrate functional morphology, palaeobotany, fossil mammals, palaeoherpetology, and fossil fish.
  • The Royal Tyrrell Museum is a highly collaborative environment, and the successful candidate will have opportunities to contribute to a variety of museum functions, including fieldwork, public and school programming, and outreach.

The Royal Tyrrell Museum is situated in Midland Provincial Park in southeastern Alberta, among the badlands of the lower Horseshoe Canyon Formation in the Red Deer River Valley. We are within a day’s drive of Dinosaur Provincial Park, Dry Island Buffalo Jump, and significant exposures of Cretaceous and early Palaeogene age in southern Alberta.

To apply, applicants must:

  • Be legally able to work in Canada.
  • Have completed a Ph.D. in a field relevant to palaeontological research within the past five years.
  • Show a track record of high-quality peer-reviewed publications.

The successful applicant for this position will:

  • Work within the guidelines of the Province of Alberta Historical Resources Act, the legislation that governs palaeontological resources.
  • Undertake fieldwork in support of research goals (if necessary).
  • Work in cooperation with members of the Royal Tyrrell Museum research, preparation, and collections teams.
  • Contribute to exhibit, communications, and educational programs of the Royal Tyrrell Museum.
  • Publish scientific papers on the results of research.
  • Present research results at scientific meetings and other venues.
  • Be able to work independently and demonstrate evidence of excellence in research.

Compensation:

  • $50,000 annual salary.
  • Competitive benefits package.
  • Generous professional development, travel, and research budget.

The Society is strongly committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace and welcomes all applicants who may contribute further to the advancement of the field of palaeontology.

Interested individuals should email their curriculum vitae, a research proposal (two pages maximum) detailing their interests, expertise, and prospective research project, and the names and contact information of three references, no later than 4:30 p.m. on October 31, 2023 to:

Patty Ralrick
Executive Director
Royal Tyrrell Museum Cooperating Society
Email:
p.ralrick@tyrrellmuseum.ca
Phone : 403-821-2117
Mail: P.O. Box 7500, Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y0

Please note that only applicants who are chosen for the next stage of this selection process will be contacted. Shortlisted applicants will be expected to deliver a one-hour presentation to the public as part of the interview process.


Educational Opportunities
None of which we are aware.


Sponsorship of The Palaeontological Association is gratefully acknowledged with special thanks to Alan R. T. Spencer and Russell Garwood.
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