Assistant/Associate Curator - Mineral Sciences

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.