Collections Assistant

The Florida Museum of Natural History is a unit of the University of Florida. Its Vertebrate Paleontology division currently consists of two curators, four full-time staff, and10 graduate students. It has an extensive collection (~750,000 specimens) of primarily Cenozoic fossils that form the basis for a wide variety of paleontological research. The Division of Vertebrate Paleontology of the Florida Museum of Natural History seeks a full-time (40 hr/wk) collection assistant. The position is funded by a NSF grant and has a duration of one to two years, with a starting date as soon as possible. Responsibilities include identification and cataloging of Neogene and Pleistocene microvertebrate fossils from Panama. This position will require regular travel to Panama and other locations.

Minimum Requirements

Master’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and two years of appropriate experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Qualifications include knowledge of microfaunal vertebrates, a bachelor’s degree at the time of hire, and one year of experience working in a paleontology collection at a museum. Preference will be for candidates who can demonstrate experience with curation of Neogene and/or Pleistocene North American fossils from a broad range of vertebrate classes.

Extensive knowledge of microfaunal vertebrates, either through college coursework or work experience. Physically able to safely move and handle vertebrate fossils.

Master’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization such as geology or biology.

Experience with identification of Neogene and/or Pleistocene North American fossils from a broad range of vertebrate classes.

Experience using a computer database.

Experience working with or supervising volunteers in a museum and field setting.