Jobs Archive

This 2-year Post-Doctoral position available at the Natural History Museum Vienna is part of the Horizon 2020 European Commission Research and Innovation programme, call COMPET-8-2014: "Science in context: sample curation facility and scientific exploitation of data from Mars missions".

The plan of EURO-CARES is to create a roadmap for the implementation of a European Extra-terrestrial Sample Curation Facility (ESCF).

Our aim is to improve European competitiveness in this field by road-mapping the required steps and highlighting areas in which new research and innovation are required in order to create a suitable European ESCF.

After a review of the current state of the art in extraterrestrial sample curation, a plan for terrestrial planetary protection will be developed. The current knowledge and the essential requirements for an ESCF to be built, including building infrastructure, procedures and protocols, security, environmental conditions, documentation and databasing, etc., will be studied and synthesized together with the most suitable instrumentation for sample analysis. Finally, we plan to review suitable portable receiving facilities and to determine the technology required in order to be able to transport samples (including those with a potential biohazard) following return to Earth most effectively.

To summarize, we are investigating the steps that need to be taken to ensure that any possible European ESCF will be suitable for the curation of the samples returned from Solar System exploration missions to the Moon, asteroids, comets, and Mars.
The selected candidate will be mainly co-leading a work package called "Facilities and Infrastructure" within this project, with the objective to define the state of the art facilities required to receive, contain and curate extra-terrestrial samples and guarantee terrestrial planetary protection. All the aspects, from the building design (including the construction, operation, security, etc.) to the storage of the samples (sample holder, monitoring, etc.) as well as the curation (sample handling, storage and database) will be considered. An important part of the selected candidate’s role will be to liaise with other members of the consortium and learn about the many different aspects of planning for the curation of samples return from space. This role provides a unique opportunity to work with world-leading experts from a variety of European countries.

Supervisor: Dr. Ludovic Ferrière (NHM Vienna), in collaboration with Dr. Caroline Smith (NHM London) and several other European colleagues that are involved in this project.
We are seeking a highly-motivated candidate who enjoys working in a multi-disciplinary team environment. The candidate should have a PhD (or be expected to graduate before assuming the position) in the fields of geological, biological or planetary sciences with a strong emphasis on analytical work. Good oral and written proficiency in English is required; knowledge of German is a bonus but not a requirement.

The Department of Earth Sciences at the NHM is seeking a talented, energetic postdoctoral researcher to join our team of internationally recognised meteoritics and planetary science researchers. The suitably qualified PDRA will investigate the geochemistry, mineralogy/petrology and habitability of the Martian subsurface utilising the world-class Meteorite Collection, analytical infrastructure and expertise that the Museum offers.

The project will require analysis of Martian meteorite samples primarily using electron microscopy (e.g. TEM/SEM/EPMA) and x-ray tomography (e.g. micro- and nano-CT-scanning and synchrotron), including relevant sample preparation techniques. The ideal candidate will have demonstrable expertise in one or more of these techniques and experience in meteoritics. However, candidates with proven experience analysing relevant terrestrial igneous samples using similar techniques are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Meteoritics and Planetary Science team enthusiastically participates in education and public outreach activities at the NHM and throughout the UK. While the post is primarily a research position, science communication is considered an important and necessary aspect and opportunity associated with this role.

Main tasks

◦Acquire, manage and interpret data from X - ray micro - CT and electron microscope.
◦Use geochemical, mineralogical and structural information to interpret petrology and aqueous alteration
◦Present results at s cientific meetings at the NHM, nationally and internationally.
◦Lead , or contribute significantly to , the production of research papers reporting the science results in professional journals
◦Travel on occasion to external labs and conferences
◦Engage in publ ic outreach at the NHM

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) seeks a Curator (Assistant or Associate level) for its mineral and gem collections, which are among the largest and finest in the United States. NHM, the largest natural history museum in the western United States, has recently finished a dramatic transformation including new ground-breaking exhibitions and a 3½ acre wildlife garden. The Museum’s mission is to inspire wonder, discovery, and responsibility for our natural and cultural worlds. Our strategic intent—"To be the best at communicating how our planet and life on it changes over time and why this matters"—guides our priorities for the next decade.

The successful candidate will have a Ph.D., a strong track record of published research, experience in generating funding through competitive grants and/or other external sources, and the ability to lead a dynamic and productive research program that increases both the scientific and public appeal of our collections.

The Curator will be responsible for overseeing the development and curation of important collections, maintaining and strengthening the NHM’s presence in key professional and governmental networks, and establishing active internal NHM collaborations—especially with the Education and Exhibits, Marketing and Communications, and Advancement Departments.

The successful candidate will be expected to provide intellectual leadership for the development of a new permanent hall at the NHM. An extensive and thorough knowledge of minerals is essential; experience in collections management is important; an interest in making the results of scientific research accessible to the public is crucial. The Curator will be expected to develop working relationships with local universities and to mentor students and postdoctoral fellows.

The ability to communicate effectively and engage with a wide variety of audiences, including the public and the NHM's various stakeholders, is paramount. In addition to leading a strong research program, the successful candidate will actively participate in a broad range of museum activities, such as exhibits, education, outreach, training of educators, and public communications including, but not limited to, media interactions and fundraising.

Position Details

The University of Washington (Seattle, WA) invites applications for a one-year postdoctoral research associate (Job Class 0148), renewable for a second year. The successful applicant will work under the supervision of Dr. Gregory P. Wilson, Associate Professor of Biology and Adjunct Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology, on the multi-institution, multi-disciplinary Hell Creek Project. The position is 100% FTE for 12 months and will be 40% research, 40% curation, 20% fieldwork (allocation is negotiable), and offers a competitive salary plus benefits. Review of applications will begin February 1, 2015, and the position can begin as soon after that as a successful applicant is identified, with an anticipated start date of March 2015 (negotiable).

Responsibilities:

1) The candidate, upon consultation with Dr. Wilson, will propose a paleontological research problem that is relevant to the Hell Creek Project (on plants, invertebrates, or vertebrates) and can be largely addressed in a two-year time frame using Hell Creek Project fossil collections, and carry out this research program.
2) The candidate will lead and manage personnel efforts to prepare and curate Hell Creek Project fossil specimens and to mobilize these data into appropriate online databases.
3) Collaborative research, discussion, and presentation of research results in collaboration with members of the Hell Creek Project are expected. Some funds for research expenses and travel are possible. Start date is negotiable within limits, by arrangement with Dr. Wilson.

Minimum/Basic Qualification Required:

By the start date, all elements of the PhD, including the dissertation, must be completed and the degree conferred in the biological, earth sciences, or similar field, with an emphasis on specimen-based paleontological and paleobiological questions.

Additional Required Qualifications:

• PhD must be conferred less than six years prior to start date
• Demonstrated curatorial experience, and taxonomic expertise relevant to the project (plants, invertebrates, vertebrates)
• Demonstrated experience managing personnel and planning/leading fieldwork
• Research interests that are appropriate to the Hell Creek Project
• Explicit plan to collaborate with existing members of the Hell Creek Project
• Demonstrated ability to publish in English-language peer-reviewed journals
• An explicit proposal, detailed in the application, of your research question(s) and how you plan to use and curate specific parts of the Hell Creek Project collection to this end

Successful candidates will be able to complete the following:

(1) mobilize large amounts of Hell Creek data (i.e., specimen records and images) as part of the proposed research as well as the curatorial work; (2) develop new data sets and methods for their study; (3) organize and lead paleontological and geological fieldwork for eight weeks in Montana (duration negotiable); (4) involve undergraduates and contribute to outreach components (blogs, online images, DIG Field School, etc.); and (5) focus on a substantial part of the Hell Creek fossil collections important to a fundamental research question.

Screening of applicants will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled

Please submit (1) a cover letter (including contact information for three references), (2) curriculum vitae, (3) a brief statement of previous curation, preparation, and field research experience (2-page limit), and (4) a proposed research plan (2-page limit), all in a single PDF file to gpwilson@u.washington.edu.