Job No: 225149-AS
Work type: Staff-Full Time
To learn more and apply, visit: https://jobs.hr.wisc.edu/en-us/job/505255/curator-of-mammals-and-birds
Position Summary:
| The University of Wisconsin Zoological Museum houses extensive collections of over 500,000 vertebrates (skins, skeletons, histological and fluid-preserved specimens). Located on the UW-Madison campus, the Museum provides support for university teaching and research activities both in and outside of Wisconsin, state and federal agencies, and qualified individuals. This position is responsible for the maintenance and growth primarily of the mammal skin and skull collections, and secondarily of the bird collections; supervision of and participation in all preparative activities; decision on loans, exchanges and screening destructive sampling requests of mammal and bird specimens. The position will develop and conduct collections-based research and produce, publish and present their findings, as well as participate in grant-writing; and in cooperation with the Museum Registrar, provision of information for the entry into and maintenance of museum database files pertaining to the collections of mammals and birds. To learn more about the Museum, visit: https://uwzm.integrativebiology.wisc.edu/ The Museum is part of the Department of Integrative Biology which consists of 65 faculty and staff members, as well as a large number of employees in training, graduate, and undergraduate employees. The department has 1,300+ undergraduate majors in Biology (L&S), Molecular and Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Zoology, teaches thousands of students in our introductory biology courses, and has top ranked graduate programs in the areas of Zoology and Freshwater Marine Science. |
Principal duties:
| -Curation: Curate collections of mammal and bird skin, skull, and fluid collections (skeletons are housed separately and maintained by another Curator), and other special holdings, including facilitation of associated correspondence on and assembly of loans, exchanges, gifts and permits concerned with these collections. -Preparation: Coordinate, implement and participate in preparation of vertebrate skin, skull, fluid and skeletal specimens. These activities include maintenance of the dermestid colony and preparation rooms and organization of catalog information, in part through supervision of volunteers and hourly helpers. -Research: Conduct a collections based research program, associated with academic interests and area of expertise. Produce findings and publish in scientific and popular journals; present at academic meetings and outreach events. -Collection Development: Develop and maintain a program to facilitate specimen deposition. This includes collaborations with university researchers and cooperative agreements with local, state and federal agencies. -Education and Access: Assist in fielding enquiries and in providing teaching materials, exhibitions, laboratory displays and verbal presentations in mammalogy, ornithology, wildlife ecology and other courses involving natural history specimens. Facilitate access to collections. -Grant Writing: Participate in grant-writing and other development activities designed to enhance infrastructure and provide funding for collection management and growth. -Data Management: In concert with the Museum Registrar, provide information for the design, entry into and maintenance of databases pertinent to the mammal and bird collections. |
Degree and Area of Specialization:
Master’s Degree in Zoology, Biology, or related discipline required.
Minimum Years and Type of Relevant Work Experience:
2 years of previous work in natural history or vertebrate museum collections required; preference to candidates with 4+ years of experience.
Required Knowledge and Skills:
Demonstrated expertise in mammalian taxonomy.
Proficiency in preparation of study skins of mammals and birds.
Experience with care and maintenance of a dermestarium.
Familiarity and experience with zoological collections and their use in research and teaching.
Strong oral communication skills, including the ability to collaborate and network within the University and beyond.
Demonstrated problem solving abilities, flexibility, and proven ability to work as part of a team.
Ability to lift 40 pounds and use a ladder.
Preferred Knowledge and Skills:
Demonstrated familiarity in avian taxonomy.
Familiarity with natural history collection databases and GIS programs.
Salary:
Minimum: $45,000 ANNUAL (12 months); Depending on Qualifications
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: https://diversity.wisc.edu/
Instructions to Applicants:
An applicant may be hired into an Associate Academic Curator, Academic Curator, or Senior Academic Curator, title dependent upon experience. Title will be determined upon hire.
For questions on the position contact: Laura Monahan at lmonahan2@wisc.edu
To apply for this position you will need to upload a cover letter, resume and contact information for at least three professional references, including your current supervisor. References will not be contacted without advance notice.
Your cover letter should address your qualifications as they pertain to the minimum number of years and type of relevant work experience listed above.
Applications Close:
Aug 31 2020 11:55 PM