Please visit Invertebrate Paleontology Collections Manager for complete job posting and application instructions.
The Academy of Natural Sciences is seeking an Invertebrate Paleontology Collections Manager.
About Drexel
Drexel is a comprehensive global research university ranked among the top 100 in the nation. With over 24,000 students, Drexel is one of America’s 15 largest private universities. Drexel is one of Philadelphia’s top 10 private employers, and a major engine for economic development in the region. Drexel has committed to being the nation’s most civically engaged university, with community partnerships integrated into every aspect of service and academics.
Job Summary
The Invertebrate Paleontology Department of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is seeking a Collection Manager to administer daily operations.
Essential Functions
- Manage the accession, curation (see below), loan activity, and organization of over 1 million invertebrate specimens. The collection is ~ 75% fossil mollusks, including ~5,000 types, with strengths in Mesozoic and Cenozoic mollusks from the US Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains, and from Britain.
- Act as liaison with international and national scientific community, responding to requests for information, hosting visitors, and facilitating use of specimens for research and education, and by representing the Academy at conferences and workshops.
- In collaboration with the Invertebrate Paleontology curator, be responsible for all aspects of curation of collections, including making taxonomic determinations, arrangement of material in proper order, routine care, specimen preparation, digitization, georeferencing, upgrading of collections facilities, facility troubleshooting, and overseeing of routine maintenance.
- Train and supervise volunteers, interns, and students working in the collections.
- Participate in public education, museum programs, donor cultivation and other Academy service, including service on committees.
- Collaborate with the Invertebrate Paleontology curator on the development of grant and other funding proposals for collection improvements and digitization, and demonstrate the importance of the collection for education and research missions of the Academy.
- Maintain and help develop databases and online portals for specimen images and data.
- Collaborate on planning and policy development, and develop/implement workflows specific to the collection.
- Should the collections manager wish to engage in scientific research or professional development, a negotiable portion of the position can be devoted to these endeavors.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in Museum Studies, Invertebrate Paleontology, Vertebrate Paleontology, or Zoology.
- Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in a related field and extensive experience will also be considered.
- At least 3 years of experience in collections operations and digitization initiatives.
- Detail-oriented and a problem-solver, with excellent organizational and communication skills.
- Work independently, be an effective team-leader, and supervise a diverse community of volunteers and students.
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with collections management software, such as Specify or EMu, and with national and international collections digitization efforts, such as iDigBio, ALA, GBIF, is desirable, as is experience in grant writing for collections management.
- PhD preferred.
Physical Demands
- Typically sitting at a desk/table
- Typically standing, walking
- Typically bending, crouching, stooping
- Lifting demands up to 50lbs
Location
Center City, Philadelphia, PA