Bringing ‘dark data’ into the light: Best practices for digitizing herbarium collections
New workflow modules will facilitate imaging and data transcription for thousands of plant specimens
Data exploration for large datasets is always challenging. Often you are left with deciding between subsetting the dataset (randomly or on some facet), making slow progress waiting for results just to find that something needs to be fixed, or optimizing code for performance when you don't even know if the result is going to be interesting. Having a high-performance system capable of ad-hoc investigation has always been difficult and/or expensive.
Space for this workshop is limited. To register, complete the online registration form.
Please visit the workshop agenda for more information on the day's activities.
Workshop Dates: October 2-3, 2015.
Samantha Winder, project coordinator, shows an algal specimen. Photo courtesy of the University of Michigan Herbarium.
A third article was recently published by the University of Michigan in their series on the University of Michigan Herbarium's digitization efforts.
Job title: Collection Manager
The herbarium of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (PH) is seeking a full time collections manager.
To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter at www.drexeljobs.com. Click on “search postings” and type in “herbarium” as the key word to find this position. Review of applications will begin September 30 and continue until the position is filled.
Job overview: The Botany Department of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is searching for a Collection Manager for the Herbarium to manage specimen care, data, and daily operations. Research in biodiversity informatics is encouraged.
Qualifications: Candidates should have a Master's Degree (Ph.D. desirable) from a recognized college or university, with training in botany, biology, or environmental science. Candidates with a Bachelor's degree and extensive experience will also be considered. A background in research in plant science, experience in museum operations, and biodiversity informatics are desirable. The candidate should be detail-oriented and a problem-solver, with excellent organizational and communication skills. The candidate should have the ability to work independently, be an effective team-leader, and supervise a diverse community of volunteers and students.
Essential Functions:
--Manage the curation, loan activity, and organization of a large herbarium with over 1.2 million specimens of plants collected worldwide.
--Act as liaison with international and national scientific community, responding to requests for information, hosting visitors, and facilitating use of specimens for research and education.
--Maintain records of loans and other collection activities.
--Coordinate curation and routine care of the collection (integrated pest management, specimen repairs, facility trouble-shooting, oversee routine maintenance).
--Supervise a cohort of volunteers, interns, and students working on collections care.
--Participate in public education, museum programs, donor cultivation and other Academy service, including service on committees.
--Maintain and help develop databases and online portals for specimen images and data.
--Maintain and develop catalogs and other documentation of collections to monitor importance of herbarium for education and research missions of the institution.
--Assist in planning and policy development for the collection.
Recruiting salary: $46,000
Posted at the request of:Tatyana Livshultz tatyana.livshultz@drexel.edu
From Libby Ellwood (iDigBio Post Doc) and Deb Paul (iDigBio Data Specialist) 
Archbold, a not-for-profit dedicated to long-term ecological research, education and conservation in south central Florida, is seeking a key team member to meet the objectives of an NSF CSBR award. This is a three-year grant funded position with benefits.
Incumbent’s primary responsibility will be to work extensively with the Archbold arthropod collection, databasing and imaging specimen data, and moving the digitized data to the Internet via Symbiota-linked and other on-line portals under supervision of Entomology Program Director and Data Manager. Will also work with digital databases for herbarium, birds, mammals, herptiles, fishes and bryophytes collections, imaging specimens, and moving the digitized data to internet.
Bachelor’s Degree in Entomology or related field in biology with 2-3 years’ experience working with entomology collections, or a Master’s Degree and 1 year of experience preferred. Experience with curation of entomology collections critical, labeling specimens, barcoding and QR readers, and specimen imaging. Strong computing skills required, especially in relational databases such as Specify or other collections management databases.
Additional information at http://www.archbold-station.org/html/aboutus/employ.html.
Please submit cover letter, resume, and three professional references, to hr@archbold-station.org. Deadline October 2, 2015 or until filled, with anticipated early December to January start date.
EOE/AA Employer
