The Science Museum of Minnesota seeks a paleontologist for the Fitzpatrick Chair of Paleontology, the department director and curator, for the Paleontology Department in our Science Division, to grow its scholarship, to curate and expand its fossil collections, and to help inspire public understanding of, and involvement in, science. The museum is growing and spans the scientific fields of anthropology, biology, paleontology and watershed research. The Science Museum strives to create an inclusive, equity-based institution that empowers people to change the world through science. Museum scientists work with exhibit and program developers to engage with the public through educational programming and exhibits. They work with other museum scientists and a large, highly-trained volunteer corps. The museum has strong local public support with state of the art research and collections facilities.
The ideal candidate’s scholarship will involve field-based paleontological research on fossil vertebrates. Successful candidates will have a proven research program and an established record of accomplishment of publication and funding; will be a phenomenal public speaker and will regularly engage the public and media. The Fitzpatrick Chair of Paleontology will lead the paleontology program as the Paleontology Department Director and Curator. As Director, this position will manage and monitor department operations to provide the vision and leadership to advance the goals of the division and the museum.
Click here to learn more about the Paleontology Department, the Science Division and the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Work Environment: Ability to work in office, museum, lab and fieldwork settings. Potential for overnight fieldwork.
Job Duties & Responsibilities:
- Develop long-range plans for the department, division and the institution.
- Increase access and value of the Paleontology collection.
- Conduct vertebrate paleontology research and add to our scholarly understanding of the paleontology collections.
- Develop collaborative relationships with researchers and other museum professionals to advance scientific knowledge and appropriate public engagement practices.
- Communicate research to the field through presentations and peer-reviewed publications.
- Curate and Manage the Paleontology Collection while identifying ways to improve collections management and care.
- Manage fieldwork and collecting expeditions.
- Plan, fund, and execute field research, including focused collecting.
- Lead, train, and supervise department staff, including volunteers.
- Collaborate across the museum and with external stakeholders to promote paleontology projects and collections to a wide audience including the public, potential donors, scholars, and educators.
- Participate in public outreach activities and encourage departmental staff to participate in outreach opportunities.
- Work with SMM colleagues to develop paleontology exhibits and programs.
- Direct and administer paleontology-related programs and initiatives.
- Lead the department’s fiscal responsibility as cost center manager through monitoring budgets and spending, development of grant applications and donor cultivation.
- Develop and write grant proposals to local, state, and federal agencies and other organizations in support of specific research projects and submit reports for each grant.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in paleontology or related field is required at the start of the position.
- Experience working with the public, leading a paleontology research program, managing collections and field research.
- Knowledge of professional museum standards in collections management including development and implementation of collections policies and procedures.
- Applied knowledge of government regulations and legal requirements and experience with compliance measures.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Postdoctoral experience is recommended.
- Cultural competency and experience working with diverse communities.
- Willingness to be open and respectful of all backgrounds.
- Fluency in language(s) other than English valued.
For Details and To Apply:
https://recruiting.ultipro.com/SCI1003/JobBoard/c166f9af-3e28-a8e2-590c-1b51cbf69a53/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=ba406b71-7426-41bc-845f-603598d24f4b