The Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University seeks an Assistant Curator (collection manager) for the Texas A&M University Insect Collection. This is a full-time, base-budgeted, staff-level, position with benefits located on the main campus of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. The position reports to the faculty Curator of the collection and is available 1 March 2023.
The TAMUIC is a land grant university-based collection of insects and related arthropods specializing in the fauna of the south-central and southwestern United States and the northern Neotropical region (especially Mexico). The primary mission of the collection is to build and maintain a comprehensive collection of insects and related arthropods from these regions for research, reference and educational purposes. Containing approximately 3.1 million curated specimens, and ca. 1.5 million digital records, the TAMUIC supports a diverse range of activities in the TAMU Department of Entomology, Texas AgriLife Research, and Texas AgriLife Extension. The collection serves the worldwide entomological community as a source of high-quality specimens for systematics research and provides a focal point for the activities of a dedicated group of entomologists in Texas and adjacent states.
The position’s primary responsibility is to actively manage the day-to-day operations of the TAMUIC. Detailed responsibilities include:
• Initiate, coordinate, prioritize, supervise, and participate in the daily operations of the Texas A&M University Insect Collection, including specimen and loan processing, collection curation and acquisition, public outreach, digital data acquisition and management, maintenance of voucher specimens, correspondence and collection records, assisting visitors, ordering supplies, and other related activities. (50%)
• Recruit, train, and supervise part-time technicians and student workers to assist in implementing collection operations and initiatives; coordinate research collection activities with the departmental teaching collection manager. (20%)
• Maintain the departmental arthropod identification and information service and assist in providing taxonomic support for instructional and outreach/Extension programs within the department. (10%)
• Assist the Curator in identifying and securing support for collection development activities, and in establishing policies affecting collection operations and development. (5%)
• Promote collection development through the conduct of independent and collaborative collection-based research in arthropod faunistics and systematics. (10%)
• Enhance collection development, usage, and visibility through the development and maintenance of relationships with arthropod systematists and biologists, both professional and avocational. (5%)
• Continue professional development and maintain knowledge of contemporary best-practices for insect/arthropod research collections through active participation in appropriate professional organizations, meetings, and related activities.
To apply, submit application materials through the following website::
General inquiries about the position may be sent to:
John Oswald
Department of Entomology
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843-2475 U.S.A.
E-mail: j-oswald@tamu.edu