State Museum of Natural History in Stuttgart https://www.naturkundemuseum-bw.de/en/
The State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart (SMNS) with its two locations Museum am Löwentor and Schloss Rosenstein is one of the largest natural history museums in Germany with about 180 employees and sees itself as a future-oriented research and educational institution. Its zoological collections and exhibitions are of global and historical importance beyond the focus on south-western Germany; the preparation of vertebrates at the SMNS in particular enjoys an excellent reputation, partly due to the work of Friedrich Kerz and his students.
The SMNS is looking for an experienced zoological preparator/taxidermist (m/f/d) with the motivation and ability to create mammal taxidermies of high quality and to provide technical support for one of the largest mammal collections in Germany.
Your main tasks:
- High-quality preparation of mammals into dermoplastics, skins, skeletons or wet specimens for scientific research, collections and exhibitions
- Long-lasting conservation and restoration of mammal specimens including type and historically significant material
- Biological model construction including coloring and mounting
- Organization of the zoological taxidermy laboratory and integrated pest management (IPM) in the mammal collection
- Qualified collection work: collection pickup and inventory of new acquisitions; research and data entry on existing holdings and new acquisitions in the electronic collection database DWB; support for the curator with loans and inquiries about the collection
- Knowledge transfer, e.g. to junior preparators/taxidermists
- Assisting guests, students and interns, also with field work
- Assisting with setting up and dismantling exhibitions and promotional campaigns for the museum, e.g. show preparation or guided tours of the collection
- Participation in general departmental tasks (e.g. maintaining specimens in the exhibition, moving zoological sub-collections)
Requirements:
- Completed training (with certificate) as a preparator/taxidermist or comparable training and several years of professional experience in taxidermy
- Comprehensive expert knowledge of the systematics and anatomy of mammals
- Keen sense of responsibility in handling valuable collection material
- Ability to work in a team, especially in close cooperation with the responsible curator and to work together on large objects and dioramas in the taxidermy team
- Reliability, organizational skills and flexibility
- Car driving license
Desired are:
- Experience
- in the creation of large-scale mammal taxidermies
- in the construction of dioramas, assembly techniques & setting up and dismantling exhibitions
- in the handling and care of scientific collections including historical specimens and their restoration
- in the monitoring of pests and their control (e.g. IPM)
- in working with collection databases
- Willingness to further enhance modern preparation techniques
Our offer:
- The opportunity to work in and make a lasting contribution to an internationally renowned research museum with first-class infrastructure
- The opportunity to contribute your ideas and skills to the design of special exhibitions and the permanent exhibition at Rosenstein Castle
- A comprehensive introduction by the current job holder
- Support with professional development
- An attractive workplace in the center of Stuttgart
- Flexitime and family-friendly working hours
- Benefits from occupational health management
- A subsidized ticket for local public transport (JobTicket BW)
Remuneration is up to E9b TV-L German salary scheme if all legal and personal requirements are met. The permanent, full-time or >80% part-time position is to be filled as soon as possible; a detailed handover by the current job holder is intended.
Please send your electronic application in a single PDF-file, max. 5 MB with cover letter, CV and relevant certificates to praeparator.zoologie@smns-bw.de by June 21, 2024 at the latest. Interviews (hybrid/via Zoom) are scheduled for June 28, 2024.
For further information, please contact PD Dr. Stefan Merker, Tel. 0049-(0) 711 8936 246, E-Mail: stefan.merker@smns-bw.de or Carsten Leidenroth, Tel. 0049-(0) 711 8936 184, E-Mail: carsten.leidenroth@smns-bw.de.
The SMNS stands for equal opportunities and diversity and therefore particularly welcomes applications from qualified women. Severely disabled applicants (m/f/d) will be given preference if they are otherwise equally qualified.
Information on data protection regarding your application documents sent by e-mail can be found on our homepage under “Jobs”. After completion of the procedure, all application documents will be deleted in accordance with data protection regulations.