Yale University offers exciting opportunities for achievement and growth in New Haven, Connecticut. Conveniently located between Boston and New York, New Haven is the creative capital of Connecticut with cultural resources that include three major museums, a critically-acclaimed repertory theater, state-of-the-art concert hall, and world-renowned schools of Architecture, Art, Drama, and Music.
General Purpose: Reporting jointly to the Supervisor of the Vertebrate Paleontology Fossil Preparation Lab and the Assistant Director of exhibitions, the Preparator will prepare, mold and cast, stabilize and repair specimens as part of the renovation of the Museum. Under the guidance of the Lab Supervisor, but with significant initiative, the position will be responsible for selecting the most appropriate tools and techniques to safely reveal relevant information and safeguard the long-term well-being of the specimen. Where needed, the Preparator will reconstruct specimens to maintain their integrity, using appropriate materials and techniques.
The position will be responsible for documenting preparation histories for individual specimens, including photography of specimens; creating and updating records the Museum’s collection management database EMu; and, under the guidance of the Lab Supervisor, making exhibition-quality molds and casts of fossils. The Preparator will be required to understand and use Safety Data Sheets and select appropriate personal protective equipment and environmental controls. They will assist in transporting large specimens throughout the department (including West Campus), which will require that they can drive and safely move heavy and delicate specimens. They may be responsible for supervision and training of durational and casual staff, student workers and volunteers in fossil preparation laboratories at both the Peabody Museum and West Campus sites, and for monitoring and reporting on progress against project goals.
Please provide a PDF portfolio with application.
Required Education and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in a scientific field and five years preparatory experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Qualifications:
- Proven ability to prepare delicate and complex fossil specimens, operate preparation tools, such as: microscopes, air-scribes, hand tools, air abrasive, and other specialized matrix removal devices. Ability to select the correct tool and personal protection equipment (PPE) for the task.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the basic anatomy of the vertebrate skeleton, including ability to anticipate detailed morphological features hidden by matrix. Ability to research literature and comparative material to accurately recreate missing portions of fossil specimens. May require photogrammetry or surface scanning and printing of 3D reconstructions.
- Demonstrated ability with molding and casting techniques and materials. Ability to paint exhibit-quality casts of fossil specimens. Demonstrated ability to draw and sculpt accurate reconstructions.
- Critical thinking ability and ability with written and oral communication. Ability to use digital cameras, prepare preparation records using a PC or Mac, and willingness to learn to enter technical information into the Museum’s relational database, EMu.
- Demonstrated awareness of preventive conservation and archival methods and materials, archival adhesives and consolidants and their uses.
Preferred Education and Experience: Experience in, and understanding of, the methods used to safely prepare, stabilize and exhibit fossil materials. Ability to adapt techniques and knowledge to unique situations involving fossil specimens. Welding and armature creation experience a plus.
Application: For more information and immediate consideration, please apply online at http://bit.ly/YaleCareers-59164BR . Please be sure to reference this website when applying for this position.
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