Curator of Botany

Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum https://www.bishopmuseum.org/

Employment Type: Full-Time, Salary, Exempt
Temporary/Permanent: Permanent
Deadline to Apply: This application will remain open until the position is filled.
Rate of Pay: $72,100.00 – $92,000.00 annually, commensurate with experience. This wage band is set and not subject to negotiation.

Job Purpose

The Curator of Botany initiates, develops, and directs original research projects related to the biology and systematics of plants (and/or another botanical focus such as algae or fungi); publishes significant original scholarly works; develops and enhances the Museum’s Botany collections within specialized and broad areas of the discipline; actively pursues funding support for research and Museum programs; and provides content and knowledge for, and actively engages with, Museum programs and activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Research and Scholarship

• Conducts original research related to Museum collections within specialized and broad scope of scientific discipline, including studies relevant to the botany of Hawaii (contributing to the Hawaii Biological Survey) and the broader Pacific region.
• Maintains a high level of productivity in the publication of original scholarly works.
• Maintains leadership affiliations in scholarly and professional organizations through active service (i.e., committees, councils, editorial review boards, funding review panels), including presentations of significant and major works at regional, national, or international meetings, symposia, and workshops which enhance their development as a Museum scientific professional.
• Serves in a junior editorial role for the Museum’s scholarly publications series.

Collections and Access

• Develops Botany collections to improve and enhance the collections; works alongside Botany Collections Manager to assist in general oversight of collection management procedures (loan processing, accessions, cataloging, etc.); analyzes specimens and provides identifications within specialized scientific discipline.
• Collaborates with Collections and Informatics staff to facilitate and enhance digital accessibility of collections, databases, and other resources in Botany.
• Serves as a subject matter resource to inform and recommend updates to safety procedures and policies related to botany collections, laboratories, field work, and associated research activities.

Funding and Project Oversight

• Actively seeks and obtains financial support through grants, contracts, professional contracts and other resources to further major research, bring improvements to the Botany collection, and/or to support major Museum programs, including the Museum’s Seed Bank.
• Supervises grant-funded projects or laboratory staff and serves as affiliate faculty advisor to graduate level students as appropriate.

Public Programs and Education

• Serves the Museum’s public programs and goals through significant contributions to educational program development, exhibit planning, and by e.g. providing lectures, workshops, field trips, staff and docent training; and through provision of technical information, content knowledge, and assistance to the Museum and its clients or partners.

Museum Engagement and Professional Practice

• Contributes significantly to operational planning, including planning and development of immediate and long-term project goals and objectives for the department and within Botany.
• Interacts with staff and Museum clients with tact, courtesy, and professionalism. Demonstrates a collaborative approach; supports teamwork and maintains constructive working relationships with colleagues, clients, and partners.
• Works in a safe manner and follows established safety practices to protect fellow staff members, volunteers, and visitors. Complies with applicable safety rules and regulations and establishes safe work practices. Promptly reports unsafe conditions, incidents, or accidents to appropriate individuals. Maintains assigned work areas and equipment in a manner that prioritizes safety and minimizes risk.
• Performs other duties as requested to accomplish the goals of the Museum.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in a relevant biological discipline, with experience in collection-based and field-based studies of botany.
• Wide knowledge of one or more groups of terrestrial plants or other botanical groups such as algae or fungi, and strong command of comparative analytical methodologies relevant to the study of botany (e.g., comparative morphology, molecular systematics, biogeography, phylogenetic theory and practice, ecology, and/or conservation biology).
• Understanding of the operations of a Botany collection, including preparation, preservation, storage, and management of herbarium collections, including aspects of collections conservation, acquisition, loans, exhibitions, and digitization.
• Familiarity with appropriate field methods, techniques, and permissions for biotic surveys and other fieldwork.
• Ability and interest in public engagement regarding the significance of their research program, Hawaiian and Pacific biodiversity, and Museum priorities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least five years of experience in collection-based and field-based studies of botany.
• Evidence of a developing research profile, demonstrated through publications, grant activity, or other professional recognition.
• Strong background in integrative systematic research involving genomic study of biodiversity and analysis of molecular data.
• Ability to lead a molecular genomics laboratory.

Other Requirements

• The position is based on O’ahu and requires regular, on-site presence for leadership and coordination of Museum operations.
• Must maintain the ability to travel independently between Museum facilities, partner sites, and meetings; a valid driver’s license is required only if driving is necessary to perform job duties.
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, to meet the needs of the organization and respond to operational priorities.

Direct Reports

Project-based, grant-funded staff

Working Conditions

Field work may involve exposure to high altitudes and wet conditions. Laboratory work environment may involve exposure to fumes, noxious odors, and gases from the mounting and preservation media, as well as dust and mold from the specimens themselves.

Physical Requirements

Primarily light work with periods of sitting, standing, walking, reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling. Requires sustained hand eye coordination to use microscopes, hand tools, and light power tools to mount and prepare specimens ranging from small and delicate to large and heavy. Involves prolonged handling and manipulation of specimens and storage containers, extended periods of data entry and keyboard use, and visual acuity sufficient to perform detailed scientific work, including use of microscopes, depth perception, and the ability to distinguish colors, with or without reasonable accommodation. Requires the ability to communicate verbally and in writing with colleagues and others and the ability to lift and move up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation. May entail participation in field research activities in remote locations, including hiking, camping, climbing, working from boats or ships, transport via helicopter or small aircraft, and similar activities necessary to fulfill research objectives.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by incumbents assigned to this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the responsibilities, duties and skills required. The incumbent may be expected to perform other duties as assigned.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact us at hr@bishopmuseum.org or 808-848-4107 if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Apply here: https://bishopmuseum.clearcompany.com/careers/jobs/cd1eb02b-dae5-da76-d959-3e8c32f49605/apply?source=CJB-0