Field Museum https://www.fieldmuseum.org/
The Field Museum invites applications for an Assistant Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology. This
term position has a probationary period of 3 + 3 years. After successful promotion to the Associate
level, it is renewable every seven years, according to the Field Museum’s Policy Statement on the
Curatorial Ranks. The Field Museum’s Earth Science Section has a record of scientific excellence in
collections-based research, fieldwork and exploration, with current strengths in phylogenetic
systematics, comparative and functional morphology, paleoecology, paleoclimate, macroevolution,
vertebrate paleontology, paleobotany, meteoritics, and cosmochemistry.
We are seeking a collegial individual with strong communication skills who conducts innovative,
integrative, and collaborative research in Invertebrate Paleontology that will complement and expand
the section’s strengths. Our Fossil Invertebrate collections are world-class and host an incredible
diversity of specimens. The Field Museum’s two million-plus fossil invertebrate collection is
focused on the Paleozoic of the Midwest and Great Lakes regions with significant collections of the
Pennsylvanian Mazon Creek Lagerstätte, Devonian fossils from the Falls of the Ohio area, Silurian
reef fossils from the Chicago area, and early Paleozoic echinoderms. Notable historical collections
include those of the University of Chicago’s Walker Museum, S. Weller, J. Hall, A.W. Slocom, E.S.
Richardson Jr., A. Schrammen, and W.F.E. Gurley, among others. The invertebrate collection also
hosts many undescribed arthropods, mainly insects, from the Eocene Fossil Lake deposit from the
Green River Formation, as well as over 3,500 fossilized insects in Dominican and Baltic amber.
Candidates who utilize state-of-the-art methodologies/technologies are encouraged to apply. The
successful candidate will be envisioned to maintain an externally funded field and laboratory research
program, oversee, build, and study the Invertebrate Paleontology collections, and participate in
Museum exhibitions, public outreach and education, and programmatic efforts. Close relationships with
local universities provide opportunities for participation in graduate and undergraduate training. A
Ph.D. in a relevant discipline must be held by the start of employment, and the successful candidate
would be expected to start the position during the 2025 calendar year.
To apply and for inquiries, please email: invertpaleosearch@fieldmuseum.org.
Applications should include: (1) a Curriculum Vitae; (2) a statement of research interests and career
objectives (max. three pages); (3) a statement on curatorial vision (max. two pages); (4) a statement on
diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility in a museum context (max. two pages); (5) names and
contact information for three people from whom letters of recommendation may be sought; and (6)
copies of up to 5 relevant publications in PDF format. The deadline to submit an application is
March 31, 2024.
The Field Museum is an equal opportunity workplace and employer. We are committed to equal
employment opportunity without discrimination regarding race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national
origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, veteran status, or
any other protected class. We strive to create a working environment that is free of all forms of
discrimination and one that promotes human dignity and mutual respect among all staff. We believe
every member of our organization enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to
understand and engage with the world, to identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver
solutions.
The Field Museum strives to ensure that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all.
If you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our online application, or if you require
reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any preemployment
testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your
inquiries to accessibility@fieldmuseum.org.