Museum Scientist

The University of California Museum of Paleontology (UCMP) is searching for a Museum Scientist to manage our invertebrate collection.

About Berkeley

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Berkeley is committed to hiring and developing staff who want to work in a high performing culture that supports the outstanding work of our faculty and students. In deciding whether to apply for a staff position at Berkeley, candidates are strongly encouraged to consider the alignment of the Berkeley Workplace Culture with their potential for success at http://jobs.berkeley.edu/why-berkeley.html.

Departmental Overview

Established in 1921, the mission of the University of California Museum of Paleontology (UCMP) is to investigate and promote the understanding of the history of life and the diversity of the Earth’s biota through research and education.

UCMP is an active center of research and houses one of the largest paleontological collection of any university museum in the world. By fully integrating its research, teaching, and educational outreach with effective uses of technology, UCMP fulfills its mission of increasing the understanding of all aspects of Earth history and biodiversity–from the first appearance of life on Earth to current genetic patterning in populations. The Museum’s well-curated and data-based collections include both fossils and modern organisms, and encompass past and present biodiversity from all continents of the world, representing the broad geographic research by UCMP faculty, staff, and students.

Application Review Date

For full consideration, please submit your application by November 14th, 2018.

Responsibilities

Collection Management and Collection Support (40%)
Management and curation of the fossil and recent invertebrate collections in the Museum of Paleontology and associated records. Accession, identification, classification and cataloging of these collections. Evaluate and approve or deny requests for specimens requested for loan, destructive analysis, exhibit, and teaching.

Maintain specimen, locality, image, and archival database records in conformity with UCMP standards and practices. Enter, update and serve computerized specimen and locality data, and related digital files in the UCMP database  Organize field notes and related archival materials related to the specimens and localities in the invertebrate collections in coordination with other museum scientists. Insure proper storage, organization, curation, and database management of specimens in the UCMP collections in the Valley Life Sciences Building, Sather Tower, and the Regatta Facility. Supervise, train, and manage undergraduate and graduate student employees, student volunteers, non-student volunteers as required. Train curators and students in processing of their research collections. Process hiring paperwork and time recording for volunteers and employees as required.

Public Engagement (20%)
Respond to requests, maintain correspondence, and perform administrative tasks related to the care and management of the invertebrate collections and their use by UC students, faculty and staff, as well as the broader community of users. Respond to government and public inquiries and information requests as assigned. Establish and maintain professional contacts with other institutions, professional societies, collection management staff, curators and scientists.  Work with UCMP Education and Outreach staff on museum events and grant-funded outreach products based on specialized knowledge.

Administration and Planning (20%)
Management of external grants that pertain to the relevant portions of the UCMP collections, including the preparation and filing of appropriate reports, organizing meetings, and management of budgets. Provide supporting documentation, materials and suggestions for extramural funding proposals as requested by the Director and/or supervisor.

Research (20%)
Perform independent or collaborative research for peer-reviewed publication. Plan and conduct fieldwork related to the support of the invertebrate collections and the incumbent’s research interests. Time not utilized for research will be spent in collections management and curation.

Required Qualifications

• Experience in the principles and practices of general material conservation and preservation of fossilized material
• Specialized knowledge in invertebrate paleontological preservation and storage
• Ability to teach selected conservation/preservation treatments and documentation techniques to volunteers, interns, and Museum student workers (URAPs)
• Strong technological skills, experience with collections data management
• Demonstrated writing skills, with an ability to draft grant proposals and contextual materials and peer reviewed publications

Preferred Qualifications

• Specialized knowledge of animal taxonomy and stratigraphy
• Ph.D. or Masters degree in biology, geology, or paleontology or related field.
• A broad knowledge of geology, geography, and paleontology of the western US.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience.

Salary & Benefits

Salary will be commensurate with experience.
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit:
http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

How to Apply

Please submit your cover letter and resume as a single attachment when applying.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant see: http://www.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf
For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see:
http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct