Scientific/Biological Illustrator

The University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology is a highly ranked and well respected research museum with world-renowned collections, curators, and associated researchers; it currently has an opening for a Scientific/Biological Illustrator to create complex and accurate artwork for the Paleontology Museums curators and associated researchers. For further information on the Museum of Paleontology, visit our website at www.lsa.umich.edu/paleontology/.

Responsibilities:

Create complex and scientifically accurate artwork for Paleontology Museum's curators, research scientists, and research associates for in-house, outside and web publications. Provide a variety of digital and traditional scientific illustration techniques.

Participate centrally in production of all Museum publications, maintain consistency and quality of images as it relates to printer's specifications.

Understand structural features and unique handling of a diverse range of fossils, living vertebrates and invertebrates, many of which have never been seen or described before.

Maintain up-to-date working knowledge of digital and traditional scientific illustration and design techniques.

Exercise functional supervision over valuable equipment, and over art made by curators, research scientists and graduate students.

Required Qualifications*

BA/BS required. Minimum 2-4 years of experience in field or area of specialization. Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to relate to curators, researchers, students and staff. Good knowledge of vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant morphology and function. Thorough knowledge of anatomical drawing including use of microscopes, camera lucida, and digital photography. Well-developed artist's eye for communication through charts and graphs. Thorough knowledge of computer graphics, including color graphics, and good knowledge of scientific publication process as this relates to illustrations of all kinds.

Desired Qualifications*

MA/MS degree in Fine Arts desired with 3-5 years of experience in field or area of specialization.

Additional Information

Higher salary possible for exceptionally qualifed candidate.