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Supervisory Museum Specialist (Geology - FossiLab Manager, IS-1016-12), National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D. C., United States
Posting Date: 21 May 2026
Closing Date: 27 May 2026 (This search will close once 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date)
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk: Non-Sensitive Low Risk
Open to all qualified applicants
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment
- Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
- Complete a Probationary Period.
- Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
- The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
- Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
- Employee will be required to work regular weekends and/or holidays and may work evenings or special events as needed.
- Must be able to safely and repeatedly lift and carry 30 pounds independently and lift 50 pounds with another person.
- May be required to climb ladders.
- May work with acids and other chemicals, dry, and/or fluid-preserved museum collections using personal protective equipment (PPE).
- May be required to be fitted with a respirator.
- Use of a forklift, or scissor lift may be required.
- May be required to obtain, and maintain, appropriate license/certification.
OVERVIEW
Come join a dedicated and creative team at an exceptional time for the Smithsonian, an institution with a bold vision for the future: to build a better tomorrow for all. The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is part of the Smithsonian’s unique complex and is one of the most visited museums in the United States. Its mission is to promote understanding of the natural world and our place in it. NMNH has a collection of 148 million specimens and artifacts. Each one reflects a moment in space and time and in these moments, we find Earth’s story.
The National Museum of Natural History is seeking an experienced candidate to fill the Supervisory Museum Specialist (Geology) position.
This position will lead the Department of Paleobiology Preparation Labs (PPL), including supervision of the fossil preparator team and fossil preparation volunteers. Manages the primary workspaces of this team, the behind-the-scenes Prep lab and the exhibition preparation laboratory FossiLab (FL) within the Deep Time Fossil Hall. The position provides world-class technical support to all aspects of fossil preparation including efficient operations and ensuring that all specimens are prepared at the highest professional standards. The position coordinates fossil preparation in support of research and collections stewardship and provides scientific expertise to support the Museum’s mission. This position supervises the work of Museum Specialist (Fossil Preparator) positions at the GS-09 target GS-11 level as well as volunteers, fellows, affiliates, and interns.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Recruits and supervises the work of Museum Specialist (Fossil Preparator) positions at the GS-09 target 11 level as well as volunteers, fellows, affiliates, and interns. Oversees and evaluates the preparation activities and use of lab spaces by other department staff and visiting researchers who report directly to the Chair or other supervisors.
- Oversees the preparation of fossil specimens for study, exhibition, and incorporation into the National collections using a variety of manual and mechanical tools and equipment and chemical preparation techniques; molding and casting of fossils; and other departmental needs.
- Directs operations and maintenance of the fossil preparation spaces. Manages budgets and supplies in coordination with department leadership.
- Recruits, selects and manages a diverse volunteer corps of up to 60 individuals to satisfy the needs of the Department of Paleobiology.
- In consultation with the Department Chair and Lead Collection Manager, supports collections stewardship. Directs, manages, and participates in the repair and conservation of fossils; the preparation of specimens for collections management activities including loans, digitization, storage improvement, and shipping.
- Directs preparation needs for specimens involved with fieldwork, complex acquisitions, exhibition, cleaning and repair of fossils on display. Organizes logistics and personnel for PPL staff; caring for field equipment and supplies; gathering and recording specimen data and helping in documentation.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Experience: To qualify for this position, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that is related to the operation or management of a museum or similar collection of valuable objects. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include collections management, registration, cataloging, research, preservation, restoration, or conservation of collections of museum material, or other experience related to the position to be filled. Most positions require a particular subject-matter specialization, e.g., aeronautics, anthropology, art, geology, history, natural science, technology, biology, or zoology.
In addition to the basic qualification requirement above, applicants must demonstrate the following experience required for this position:
- In depth knowledge of the broad variance of physical properties and value of fossil materials studied in academic research situations of paleobotany, vertebrate and invertebrate paleobiology, geology, biology, anatomy, and fossil preparation, conservation and storage, and the necessary skills in applying this knowledge to carry out assignments and procedures in a museum setting.
- Knowledge of fossil preparation, preservation, or conservation techniques, which may include specialized housing, stabilization, field preparation techniques, routine and specialized cleaning and preparation techniques, and field recording practices.
- Ability to oversee visitors, volunteer preparators, avocational paleontologists, students, and colleagues from NMNH and other institutions to provide information on research, fossil preparation, and collections.
- Knowledge of collection management procedures and policies as they apply to area of specialization including loans, permits, curation, identification, conservation, and associated records.
To Apply:
Applications should include a cover letter and resume with a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week. Additionally, please provide an electronic portfolio providing images, text, and other relevant details of fossil preparation projects showing the breadth and depth of experience relevant to the work of Paleo Prep Labs and project design/management. Examples: preparation techniques, tools used, matrix type, taxonomic groups, conservation and archival storage creation, prep project design and documentation, volunteer coordination.
Unofficial school transcripts (undergraduate and graduate) must be submitted with your application package by the closing date of the announcement. If selected for the position, you must provide official transcripts before appointment.
Applicants who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States. Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact NMNHStaffing@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures: Individuals with Disabilities | Smithsonian Institution (https://www.si.edu/oeo/individuals-disabilities).
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: Office of Equal Opportunity | Smithsonian Institution https://www.si.edu/oeo
https://www.si.edu/oeesd
About National Museum of Natural History
The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is part of the Smithsonian Institution’s unique complex museums and galleries, the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, and education and research facilities. The NMNH mission is to promote understanding of the natural world and our place in it, thus inspiring curiosity, discovery, and learning about the natural world through its unparalleled research, collection, exhibitions, and education and outreach programs. The museum’s collections tell the history of the planet and are a record of human interaction with the environment and one another. Because of the boundless curiosity of NMNH researchers, the breadth and depth of the collection, and the ability to inspire future generations of scientists, the museum has a vital role to play. In the next decade, the museum will welcome 40 million people through its doors and engage millions more digitally. Through NMNH, people can both discover the world and learn to become better stewards of it.
About the Smithsonian Institution
Founded in 1846, the Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum and research complex of 21 museums and galleries, the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, and 14 education and research facilities. There are more than 6,500 Smithsonian employees, including approximately 500 scientists. The total number of objects, works of art and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at more than 157 million.
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Fixed-Term, Visiting, Postdoctoral & Technical Positions
Visiting Assistant Professor (Sedimentary Geology, Paleobiology, Sedimentary Geochemistry), Department of Environment, Geography, and Earth Sciences, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minnesota, United States
Posting Date: 10 May 2026
Closing Date: 9 June 2026
Description
Gustavus Adolphus College invites applications for a full-time, three-year position of Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Environment, Geography, and Earth Sciences to begin August 15, 2026.
Applicants must have current authorization to work in the United States. Gustavus will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this position. Gustavus is not an e-verify institution.
Employment Type: Full-Time (0.85 FTE), Benefits-Eligible; Exempt (Salaried); In-Person Instruction
Position Overview
- Teach 6 course sections over the academic year. Typically, 3 in the Fall and 3 in the Spring. Primary teaching responsibilities may include introductory geoscience/ environmental geoscience, historical geology, sedimentary geology, paleontology, and courses in the candidate’s area of expertise.
- Help cultivate a welcoming community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. We strive to foster an environment where people can be themselves, build community, learn, and grow.
Why Teach at Gustavus?
- Elevate your teaching. Take advantage of opportunities to join a teaching circle, participate in workshops, apply for an internal teaching development grant, and engage in conversations about teaching with colleagues across campus.
- Advance your scholarship by working with undergraduate research assistants, joining a writing retreat, applying for an internal grant, receiving travel funds to present at conferences, receiving help applying for external grants, and making use of our research facilities.
- Develop professional skills by participating in faculty meetings and committees, attending faculty development days, and taking advantage of the College’s membership to the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD).
- Be a part of our community. We offer free parking, exercise classes, and use of library and athletic facilities.
Prerequisites
What We’re Looking For
- PhD in in geology or a related field (we will consider candidates who are ABD and will complete their degree by September 2026)
- Ability to teach courses in historical geology, paleontology, and introductory geosciences
- Enthusiasm for teaching students in a liberal arts environment
What’s Preferred
- Evidence of effectiveness in teaching
- Demonstrated commitment to undergraduate students
- Demonstrated commitment to supporting students from diverse backgrounds and identities
- Prior experience teaching undergraduate courses
- Ability to teach courses in sedimentary geology and environmental geochemistry
- Ability to plan and lead field trips for courses
- Ability to engage undergraduate students in research
How to Apply
To apply, visit https://gustavus.edu/jobs/ and complete the online application. The documents that must be uploaded include the following:
- Letter of application that addresses the position qualifications
- Curriculum vitae
- A brief (one page) statement of teaching philosophy
- A brief (one page) statement of research interests
- Transcripts (scanned copies acceptable)
- The names and contact information for three professional references (at least one must be able to address teaching experience and teaching effectiveness; please indicate the teaching reference in your letter of application). Please do not ask references to submit letters of recommendation; the committee will conduct reference checks by phone.
For full consideration, applications must be received by June 9, 2026. While applications may be accepted after this date, it is not guaranteed that they will be considered. At this time, please only upload the required documents listed above; finalists may be asked to submit additional materials as needed. Incomplete applications will not be considered by the search committee.
What We Offer
Based on data from AAUP (American Association of University Professors) and CUPA (College and University Professional Association), we offer a competitive starting salary range of $46,325 to $51,000 for a 9-month academic year. Actual pay will be adjusted based on job-related factors permitted by law, such as experience, training, certifications/licensure, market factors, departmental budgets, and responsibility. In addition, Gustavus provides comprehensive benefits designed to support your personal and financial well-being, including:
- Medical insurance (which includes access to Nice Healthcare) as well as dental, vision, and life insurance
- Workplace accommodations for physical or mental health concerns
- Access to mental health apps
- Onsite health services
- Paid parental leave (after one year of employment)
- Employer contribution to retirement savings plan (after one year of employment)
- Tuition scholarships for dependents
- Tuition benefit plan for employees and spouse
- Institution Information
Gustavus Adolphus College is one of the nation’s leading private liberal arts colleges serving 1,800 students, where faculty help equip students to lead purposeful lives and to act on the great challenges of our time. The College aspires to be a community of persons from diverse backgrounds who respect and affirm the dignity of all people. Gustavus is located on a scenic 340-acre hill in St. Peter, Minnesota, and within a short drive to the Minneapolis/Saint Paul and Mankato metro areas. Learn more at https://gustavus.edu/about/administrative-offices/provost/prospective-faculty-provost.
Gustavus Adolphus College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, or veteran status in its education or employment programs or activities.
Department Information
The Department of Environment, Geography, and Earth Sciences (EGE) is a transdisciplinary community of learners engaged with the challenges of living on a changing planet Earth. EGE brings together the traditional disciplines of Geography and Geology with the interdisciplinary field of Environmental Studies into a single, interdisciplinary department that seeks to understand our planetary home from a variety of perspectives. Students in the department may seek majors/minors in Environmental Studies (ENV), Geography (GEG), or Geology (GEO), and EGE faculty may be fully or jointly appointed in the department. For more information, see the department website: https://gustavus.edu/ege/.
NOTE: Candidates will not be compensated for materials prepared as part of the interview process, and the College will not retain the materials for its own use.
Contact
Laura Triplett | 507-933-7442
Research Associate (Mollusc Paleobiology), Bavarian State Collection for Palaeontology and Geology, Munich, Germany
Posting Date: 10 May 2026
Closing Date: 12 June 2026
In the frame of a new project funded by the German Science Foundation DFG, we are seeking to fill the position of a research associate (m/f/d) for a fixed term of 3 years (75%) starting as soon as possible at the Bavarian State Collection for Palaeontology and Geology in Munich.
This project investigates the development of the aquatic biodiversity hotspot in Anatolia during the late Cenozoic and the emergence of the modern fauna through comprehensive analyses of fossil freshwater molluscs from southwestern Anatolian lake basins. Fossil and modern Anatolian faunas represent a complex of diverse mollusc species with varying biogeographic origins. These faunas exhibit marked evolutionary transitions, including complete species turnovers within short timeframes. However, the mechanisms and spatiotemporal variation of biogeographical relationships remain poorly understood due to an incomplete taxonomic inventory and stratigraphic framework.
The project employs a multidisciplinary approach, combining stratigraphy, sedimentology, systematic palaeontology, geochronology, and isotope geochemistry in seven key basins in western Türkiye. The aim is to create a standardized taxonomic dataset and a regional stratigraphic framework, as well as to investigate biogeographical relationships, the influence of climate and environmental fluctuations, and the origin of the region's modern fauna.
Tasks:
- Fieldwork and sampling in several palaeo-lake basins in Türkiye
- Reconstruction of biodiversity patterns and biogeographical relationships, as well as analyses of the influences of climate and environmental factors using statistical methods
- Taxonomic analysis of selected freshwater mollusc faunas and creation of an inventory of the Late Cenozoic mollusc faunas of Türkiye
- Trips to selected natural history collections in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands for comparative studies
- Participation in national and international conferences to present research results
- Cooperation with national and international research teams, especially with project partners in Türkiye
- Publication of research results in scientific journals
- The successful candidate is expected to pursue a doctorate at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Required qualifications:
- Completed qualifying university degree (MSc, Diploma) in Palaeobiology, Palaeontology, Evolutionary Biology, Biogeography, or a comparable field of study
- Knowledge of data management and statistical analysis using R
- Diligence, reliability, and precision in work, as well as structured time management
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills (English)
Desired skills:
- Experience in biodiversity informatics and systematic taxonomy
- Experience with palaeontological fieldwork
- Experience in writing scientific publications
We offer:
- A stimulating work environment with various departments of natural history collections and public museums, as well as close collaboration with the Chair of Palaeontology and Geobiology at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at LMU Munich
- A diverse research environment with a wide range of skills, opportunities for collaboration, and state-of-the-art research infrastructure
- International networking and exchange opportunities
- Flexible working hours within a flexitime arrangement
- All the benefits of employment with the Free State of Bavaria
- Remuneration according to the collective agreement for public sector employees of the German states (TV-L E13 75%)
We look forward to receiving your informative and complete application documents, including a cover letter, CV, list of publications, and certificates, as a single PDF file (< 10 MB), which should be sent to bewerbung@snsb.de no later than 12 June 2026.
For questions regarding the position itself, please contact the project manager, PD Dr. Thomas A. Neubauer. For questions regarding the application process, please contact Ms. Susann Windisch.
We are committed to diversity. Therefore, applications from people with diverse backgrounds are expressly welcome. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference if they are otherwise essentially equally qualified. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from women to promote gender equality. Please note that application documents will not be returned after the selection process is complete. Travel expenses for attending a potential job interview will not be reimbursed.
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