Peabody Museum of Natural History, Division of Vertebrate Zoology, Museum Assistant I

Museum Assistant I

FIXED DURATION. Three years from date of hire.

General Purpose
This is a National Science Foundation funded project. The museum assistant will participate in the organization, physical care, and documentation of fluid-preserved vertebrate specimens, and be responsible for the effort to rehouse most of the specimen lots in new containers, update cataloging in the Peabody’s electronic database, and print new specimen labels.

Essential Duties of the Position
1. Be responsible for the effort to rehouse the fluid-preserved vertebrate specimens into updated containers, verify specimen information using the museum’s EMU database, and print updated labels for all specimen lots.

2. Organize a variety of identified vertebrates according to a specific system of taxonomic classification.

3. Sort and identify to species fluid-preserved fish specimens, and assist with the identification of fluid-preserved amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal specimens.

4. Recognize unique accessions, collection events, and use taxonomic keys in cataloging specimens.

5. Under the direction of the Collection Manager and Museum Assistant III, electronically catalogue specimens using the museum’s EMU database, and manage other aspects of data associated with specimens.

6. Perform general maintenance of fluid-preserved specimens.

Experience and Training
1. Required: Bachelor’s degree in biology, or related filed with specific courses in organismal biology.

2. Work experience with natural history collections.

3. Knowledge of fish diversity demonstrated through coursework, fieldwork, or research.

4. Working knowledge of computer programs that include word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Skills and Abilities
1. Ability to work with various fluid preservative fixing agents, such as ethanol and formaldehyde.

2. Working knowledge of species diversity of North American freshwater fishes, deep-sea fishes, and Antarctic marine fishes.

3. Physical dexterity to manipulate organisms under a dissecting microscope.

4. Ability to lift heavy containers or specimens (50 lbs.).

5. Ability to work with a dermestid beetle colony for the preparation of osteological specimens.

Application and Salary Information

Persons should send a letter outlining interest in the position, a CV, and names to three references to Thomas J. Near (thomas.near@yale.edu).

The first year salary is $38,863 with a 4.5% raise in each of the two following years. A generous fringe benefits package is included.

If anyone's thinking of applying for this, I'd say "go for it!". I did similar work at the Milwaukee Public Museum when I was in college. It was very fun and a great learning experience!

Brian

Persons interested in this position should contact me using my email address as given in the posting, and not through the PM function on the NANFA Fourm.-Tom Near