Missouri Botanical Garden
Req #590
Summary: The Curator will build on and strengthen the Missouri Botanical Garden’s programs in plant systematics, taxonomy and conservation, with a focus on Latin American plants. The individual holding this position will take a leadership role in identifying significant research questions and performing independent research and analysis to answer these questions. In particular, the Curator will guide the development of projects aimed at solving practical problems in plant systematics with special emphasis in taxonomy, evolution, ecology, biogeography and conservation. The successful candidate will have floristic knowledge and basic identification skills for Latin American plants, and have experience in the study of at least one plant family. The successful candidate may provide leadership to staff in the herbarium support team and provide guidance for their professional development. The individual will develop collaborations with other scientists and other professionals, will take an active role in advising graduate and undergraduate students.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Takes leadership role in designing and implementing research on practical and basic questions in plant systematics with special emphasis in taxonomy, and evolution.
- Initiates, conducts and leads independent research and publishes results via electronic resources, books, peer reviewed journals and other media.
- Conducts curatorial duties, including collecting, identifying and filing specimens, data management, and initiating and conducting taxonomic revisions and monographs.
- Identifies potential funding sources and writes grant proposals to secure external funding for MBG programs and projects.
- Provides leadership and direction as the subject matter expert to at least one staff in the herbarium support team, including training, development and supervision of staff and volunteers.
- Attracts new collaborators and develops partnerships with organizations, establishing cooperative agreements for strengthening science and conservation programs, as appropriate.
- Develops and maintains an active field research program.
- Participates in scientific meetings and delivers lectures to professional organizations and to the general public, as requested.
- Reviews grant proposals, journal articles, institutional reports, and publicity materials.
- Writes and/or edits scientific books, papers and grant/contract proposals.
- Leads and serves on scientific panels/committees, as requested.
- Prepares reports and summaries evaluating effectiveness of programs and projects.
- Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed; informs employees/students/volunteers of safety guidelines, methods to reduce hazards. Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately.
- Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within our division and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and employees.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities: This position may have supervisory responsibilities.
Competencies:
- Communication: Combines listening skills, verbal and written communication skills and visitor relation skills.
- Collaboration: Incorporates teamwork, mutual respect, active engagement, cooperation and visitor focus.
- Accountability: Initiative to take ownership of responsibilities, the ability to prioritize and the working knowledge and skills to take action.
- Problem Solving: Blends problem solving skills, judgement and decision making skills along with creativity and resourcefulness.
Qualifications/Experience:
- Minimum three (3) years’ experience in one or more of the following fields: plant systematics, taxonomy, evolution.
- Proven publication record.
- Floristic knowledge and plant identification skills, and have experience in the study of at least one plant family.
- Experience and expertise working with Latin American plants is highly desired.
- Minimum management experience.
- Some understanding of financial budget development/management and forecasting process.
- Demonstrated experience in seeking external funding, including negotiation.
- Experience writing scientific papers, grant proposals and reports.
- Familiarity with the publishing process, botanical literature and library facilities.
- Willingness and flexibility to conduct field work.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; professionalism; ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, to listen and get clarification and to respond well to questions; is tactful and treats others with respect.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels; ability to work with diverse teams, including international colleagues.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 25% of time.
- Scheduling flexibility is required to work evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed.
- The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers, and guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive COVID-19 vaccinations by hire date, and the Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on community health department guidelines. When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain visas, vaccinations, and immunizations as required for all countries where travel is necessary.
- The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.
Education:
- Ph.D. in plant systematics, taxonomy, evolution, biogeography or related fields required.
- An equivalent combination of education, skills and experience may be considered.
Details and to apply:
https://us63.dayforcehcm.com/CandidatePortal/en-US/MBG/Posting/View/1390