The Cleveland Museum of Natural History invites applications for the position of Assistant or Associate Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology
Summary:
The Division of Research and Collections of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History is seeking a highly-motivated researcher in the area of vertebrate paleontology. The vertebrate paleontology collection at the CMNH houses approximately 15,000 specimens, with representatives from each of the major vertebrate groups. The collection is highly specialized and emphasizes the Paleozoic, particularly locally collected Late Devonian fish (mainly chondrichthyans and arthrodires) from the Cleveland Shale Member of the Ohio Shale, though it also includes an important collection of Mississippian stem tetrapods and early reptiliomorphs from West Virginia, a small, but unique collection of dinosaur remains, including several holotypes, and a representative collection of Oligocene and Pleistocene mammals. The Museum also retains an extensive collection of extant vertebrates that are useful for comparative studies (osteological specimens, skins, and wet specimens). The Museum also maintains a fully functional fossil preparation laboratory adjacent to the collection and work spaces. Areas of research focus could include but are not be limited to: systematics, functional or evolutionary morphology, paleoecology, and biomechanics. The Museum is particularly interested in connecting paleontological research with our visitors and the community.
The curatorial staff at the CMNH are expected to develop research programs in their appointed area, work collaboratively both within and outside of the Museum, train students, take an active role in public outreach, support public programs, enhance institutional collections, and attract external funding. Curators at the CMNH also provide oversight and direction of the collections through collaboration with the collections management staff. CMNH curators have the opportunity to instruct courses, chair graduate student committees, access library services, and incorporate undergraduate students into research activities through the Museum’s affiliation with the Department of Biology of neighboring Case Western Reserve University. In addition, the close proximity with the Cleveland Institute of Art, John Carroll University, Cleveland State University, NASA Glenn Research Center, and the University of Akron have enabled collaborative relationships to develop across a number of the Museum’s scientific and educational programs.
Qualifications and Required Application Materials:
Applicants must hold a Ph.D. by the time of appointment in vertebrate paleontology or related field.
Applicants should submit cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a statement of research interests and goals, a statement of outreach and programming interest, three letters of reference, and copies of three significant publications.
Review of applications will begin on April 1, 2019 and continue until the position is filled.
Inquiries about the position should be directed to Gavin Svenson, Director of Research and Collections (gsvenson@cmnh.org)