How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
http://careers.umich.edu/job_detail/149249/research_museum_collection_ma...
Responsibilities
- Growth, Maintenance and Digitization (GMD) of the insect collections, including pinned, slide-mounted, fluid preserved and frozen specimens, and paper archives. Activities may include organizing and participating in field expeditions (which will include international collecting), coordinating and contributing directly to digitization efforts, as well as writing collection-based grants to support GMD of the insect collection. Responsibilities also include working with faculty curators to develop and implement policies, standards, and procedures for the scientific and technical work performed within the research collections; reviewing, updating, and enhancing the insect collections management plan.
- Confer with faculty and student researchers to plan and develop research projects utilizing the research collections and/or that enhance collection resources. Author or co-author articles / book chapters for publication; present or co-present with faculty in class settings or at scientific conferences; secure grant funding for research projects that enhance collection resources.
- Accessioning of new specimens. Activities involve preserving new specimens in the appropriate manner and cataloging them in the electronic database, with taxonomic identities to order and family (minimally). When needed, use DNA barcoding to classify unknowns.
- Maintenance and growth of the insect genomic resources in the Liquid Nitrogen Facility. This activity involves the accessioning of new specimens and maintenance of database records on genomic resources in the Insect Division.
- Coordinate and process inter-departmental and inter-institutional loans and exchanges. Activities include the packing and unpacking of loans (specimens and tissues) and providing federal and international permit information when appropriate, and the electronic exchange of digitized information.
- Routine maintenance of the data portal through which our holdings are made accessible to researchers across the world. This activity requires regular attention to both our electronic, searchable database and a server that connects us to the international community.
- Training and supervision of staff volunteers, work-study students and graduate research assistants in all aspects of specimen preparation and conservation practices, geo-referencing and digital imaging of specimens and routine collections maintenance tasks.
- Maintenance of the collection areas and equipment to make them suitable for research, outreach, and use by visitors, either on site or remotely through online communication.
- Coordination of research visits and educational tours of the collections; participation in museum outreach activities.
Required Qualifications
An advanced degree (master’s or doctoral) in biology, zoology, or related fields with 3-5 years of museum experience and/or insect systematics is required. Experience with database construction, use, and management is strongly preferred, and molecular experience is highly desirable. Familiarity with research collections is required, as is expertise with insects; expertise with arachnids is desirable.
Additional Information
The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitments to serve the diverse people of Michigan, fulfill the College’s Guiding Principles, and sustain the excellence of LSA.
To learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion visit http://lsa.umich.edu/
