Summary
The University of Michigan Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) is seeking a Collection Manager for the EEB-Museums Biorepository, with emphasis on growth and management of the Michigan Pathogen Biorepository (M-PABI). The EEB-Museums Biorepository and M-PABI include frozen tissues and other sample types from multiple divisions of the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology (UMMZ) and Herbarium (MICH). M-PABI, housed within the EEB-Museums Biorepository, is a new collection that aims to support pandemic prevention by documenting and preserving the biodiversity of parasitic, pathogenic, and microbial taxa using both live and traditional museum preparations. As M-PABI is a developing collection, we are especially interested in candidates who will collaboratively contribute to M-PABI’s growth and evolution.
The Collection Manager will oversee the day-to-day operations of the M-PABI and will collaborate with other divisions to oversee the EEB-Museums Biorepository, including processing incoming and outgoing loans; collection, preparation, and integration of new specimens; developing protocols for M-PABI specimen collection, maintenance, and use; maintaining and improving specimen records; conserving and organizing specimens; managing physical improvements and digitization projects; maintaining necessary biosafety standards; facilitating the use of the collection by researchers; assisting in the acquisition of necessary permits; engaging broad audiences through outreach; and supporting the needs of other UMMZ and MICH collections. The Collection Manager will train and supervise volunteers, students, and other personnel, and collaborate with other museum collections to manage shared space and facilities. Additionally, the Collection Manager is encouraged to maintain a limited research program within the context of the M-PABI’s curatorial priorities (20% of total time). We are especially interested in candidates whose research will further develop techniques for collecting, archiving, and using M-PABI specimens.
The EEB values and endeavors to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and access within our organization and communities. Candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous, a Person of Color, neurodiverse, a woman, a person with a disability, a veteran, and/or part of the LGBTQAI+ community are welcome and encouraged to apply.
The EEB is especially interested in candidates whose background and experience have prepared them to engage and include culturally diverse audiences in museums and in science.
This position will be available starting December 1, 2022. We are looking for a candidate who can start between December 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023.
Mission Statement
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
Responsibilities*
- Growth, maintenance, and day-to-day care of the collection. Activities include accessioning, collecting, and preparing new specimens; preparing or processing all specimen loans; upkeep and organization of the collection; proposing, developing, and implementing plans for collection growth and improvement. This also includes maintenance of the collection areas and equipment to make them suitable and safe for research, outreach, and use by visitors, either on site or remotely through online communication.
- Provide documentation for the collection, including cataloging, entering/updating database records, inventorying, and enhancing documentation through digitization. Improve specimen metadata, such as through photography, georeferencing, and linking with host specimen records. Respond to requests for information about the collection. Share and routinely maintain collection records through external repositories.
- Participate in or lead projects that enhance the M-PABI and Biorepository collections. This includes ongoing or original research related to the M-PABI collection, especially research that develops protocols and techniques for collection, preservation, and use of the M-PABI specimens. It also includes securing funding that enhances Biorepository infrastructure and utility. The Collection Manager is able to submit grant applications as a PI.
- Train, supervise, and support users of the collection. This includes training and supervising staff volunteers, work-study students, graduate curatorial assistants, visiting researchers in all aspects of specimen research and conservation practices, database use, geo-referencing and digital imaging of specimens and routine collections maintenance tasks. This also includes support of and coordination with faculty curators, student researchers and visiting collaborating researchers to plan and develop research projects utilizing the research collections and/or enhance collection resources.
- Stay current with the research field and permitting requirements related to the collection, including trends and techniques in collections management, collection-based research, conservation, digitization, biodiversity informatics, government regulations, and documentation. Assist in permit acquisition for specimens that will be deposited in M-PABI.
- Maintain compliance with necessary biosafety standards and maintain biosafety certifications for the M-PABI. This includes training users of M-PABI and the Biorepository to meet standards for safe use of the collections. M-PABI is currently a BSL-2 lab.
- Work with faculty curators to develop and implement policies, standards, and procedures. For example, developing standard operating procedures for acquisition, accessioning, databasing, and archiving of parasite/pathogen specimens and associated host data. Reviewing, updating, and enhancing the Biorepository and M-PABI collection management plan in collaboration with other UMMZ and MICH staff.
- Participate in education and other public program activities for the UMMZ and MICH including but not limited to collection tours, supporting exhibitions, and participation in public museum events. Handle inquiries from the public and researchers.
Required Qualifications*
- An advanced degree (master’s or doctoral) in biology, microbiology, virology, parasitology or related fields
- 3 or more years of experience working with research collections
- Experience with database software (not necessarily Specify) and common principles of biodiversity informatics.
- Experience handling BSL-2 (or higher) pathogenic materials Preferred Qualification
Desired Qualifications*
- Working knowledge of the organization and management of biorepositories, and common specimen preparations used in museums.
- Working knowledge of international, federal, and state regulations and permits governing the collection and use of specimens by museums.
- Experience with typical methods used for field collection and processing of parasites and/or pathogens.
- Experience in virology or microbiology.
- Working knowledge of external data repositories and aggregators, such as GBIF, iDigBio, GenBank, and MorphoSource.
- Experience supervising a diverse team of staff, volunteers, and students.
- Experience effectively presenting information to and responding to questions from individuals or groups of managers, scientists, and the general public.
- Experience writing scientific papers, grants, reports, professional correspondence, and/or procedure manuals.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, access and inclusion work.
Details and to apply
https://careers.umich.edu/job_detail/224759/res-museum-collection-manager-biorepository