Assistant Curator Pteridophytes and Conservation Ecologist

Our Mission: Since the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, our organization has aimed to connect people to the natural environment and human history.

Join our team and enjoy a benefits package that truly supports your well-being and lifestyle:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Including medical, dental, vision plans, and even pet insurance.
• Financial Security: Life and disability benefits plus a 403(b) savings plan to help you plan for the future.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off, paid sick leave, and paid holidays to ensure you have time to recharge and spend with loved ones.
• Exclusive Perks: Enjoy great employee discounts and complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions.

We're dedicated to enhancing your life both at work and beyond!

Position Overview:

The Field Museum invites applications for an Assistant Curator of Pteridophytes and Conservation Ecologist. We seek PhD-level candidates demonstrating excellence in collections-based research and applied conservation. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a robust externally-funded research and conservation program, curate and contribute to management and oversight of the Museum's pteridophyte and lycophyte collection, lead collaborative surveys of remote areas, provide social and biological information to decision-makers to help establish effective conservation areas, pursue opportunities in education, outreach, and professional service, and contribute to the Museum's administration and public programs.

The Field Museum's Searle Herbarium is the fifth largest in the Western Hemisphere and houses over 3 million specimens, including nearly 40,000 types. Our collections are particularly strong in tropical Central and South America. The fern and lycopod collection is the fourth largest in the U.S.A., with over 110,000 specimens including almost 1,000 types. The entire collection has been digitized through our participation in the Pteridological Collections Consortium, an NSF-funded initiative to database and image over 1.76 million herbarium and fossil pteridophyte specimens and produce an unprecedented online digital resource for studies of vascular plant evolution. In addition, the Museum has core facilities for molecular/genetic labwork, SEM and light microscopy, and high-performance computing. The Museum has decades of experience translating science into conservation and quality of life results on the ground in the Andes Amazon and Guiana Shield region of South America, as well as the greater Chicago area. Close relationships with universities provide abundant opportunities for undergraduate and graduate training, and the use of specialized laboratories.

This is a full-time (10-month) position with a joint appointment in the Negaunee Integrative Center and the Keller Science Action Center. The renewal schedule is 3 + 3 years; after successful promotion to the Associate level, it is renewable every 7 years, according to the Field Museum’s Policy Statement on the Curatorial Ranks, with considerations of conservation impact.

Pay range: $76,000.00- $79,000.00

Applications must include the following:

Submit all materials in PDF format. To apply and for inquiries, please email: [email protected].

Review of complete applications will start September 30, 2024. The earliest start date will be on January 13, 2025.

PLEASE READ: *When you apply for multiple positions, please make sure to delete your previous resume and cover letter and upload the latest version of your resume and cover letter that is relevant to the job you are applying for, every time you apply. This will help our hiring managers access the correct documents. Please note that removing the resume and cover letter will not delete any previously submitted resumes and cover letters.

The Field Museum is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination, embracing diversity, and fostering mutual respect. We value the unique perspectives each team member brings, which empowers our ability to innovate and overcome challenges.

At the Field Museum, we are dedicated to making our career website and recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you encounter any difficulty when using or accessing our online application, or if you need a reasonable accommodation for completing your application, participating in interviews, or any other part of the selection process, please reach out to us at [email protected].