Collections Manager - Mycology/Lichenology

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.

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The Field Museum of Natural History has an immediate opening for a Mycology/Lichenology Collections Manager. This full-time, permanent position reports to the Head of Botanical Collections in the Gantz Family Collections Center and will manage day-to-day activities including management of staff. The incumbent must have experience in mycology/lichenology and strong management skills, preferably with convincing taxonomic expertise. The Collection Manager is charged with overseeing the direct care, organization, and management of approximately 250,000 specimens, based on best practices. Strengths of the collection include lichens and tropical mushrooms, and candidates with expertise in one of these areas are given special consideration. The Museum particularly encourages applicants with a proven dedication to collections management.

The Collections Manager will work jointly with curators to set long and short-term priorities for the Mycology/Lichenology Collections and will also interact with other collections areas, research scientists, exhibition developers, and education staff. While this is a collections position, the Collections Manager will have opportunities to pursue research for up to a maximum of 20% of their work time and seek funding for collections improvements and specimen-based research projects. The successful candidate will be evaluated on the ability to promote, study, build, care for, and ensure accessibility to the great wealth of specimens in the collection.

The Collections Manager will be expected to raise awareness of the collection among the general public and promote its use by the scientific community. In addition, depending on strategic priorities, the Collections Manager may be expected to organize efforts to make new collections accessible for molecular research.

We are especially interested in candidates with a vision for making collections accessible through digitization and the next frontiers in natural history collections. Candidates with demonstrated leadership abilities and experience are especially encouraged to apply.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Curation of physical specimens, including specimen preparation, organization, care, housing of specimens, and potentially DNA barcoding of new collections.
• Conduct and coordinate the appropriate processing of new collections or existing collections including physical preparation, labeling, cataloguing, accessioning, and loans.
• Establishing priorities for collection care and management in coordination with curatorial and research staff.
• Development and implementation of collections management policies that are aligned with best herbarium practices.
• Provide collection access to the research community, including assisting researchers and students with the use of the collections.
• Digitization and continuing documentation of collections including databasing, capturing digital images of scientific labels and specimens, correspondence, archives, publications, and loan records using the Emu collection management software.
• Maintain electronic and digital records, including updating taxonomic and auxiliary information.
• Provide support in terms of service to the Museum community, e.g., serving on committees.
• Training and supervision of staff and volunteers in their collection-related duties.
• Develop grant proposals for collections improvements and other collection-based initiatives.
• Collaboration includes but is not limited to other collections areas, research scientists, conservationists, exhibits, and education, including funding opportunities.
• Collaboration and liaison with external partners, e.g., Symbiota, iDigBio, and GBIF.
• Provide support for promotional and institutional advancement activities, including opportunities to engage with donors and participate in behind-the-scenes tours.
• Apply taxonomic expertise in the identification of collections.

Qualifications

• Apply taxonomic expertise in the identification of collections.
• PhD (with an emphasis in Mycology and/or Lichenology) with collections experience is desirable, or, an equivalent combination of education and experience, e.g., a Master in Biology (with an emphasis in Mycology and/or Lichenology) with at least 3 years’s collection experience.
• A strong background in Mycology and Lichenology is required, including familiarity with other Mycology/Lichenology collections, researchers, and molecular lab work.
• Knowledge of taxonomic principles and collection management.
• Strong organizational skills are necessary to keep collection accessible.
• Supervisory skills necessary for directing collection personnel, including volunteers, students, and interns.
• Databasing and imaging skills are highly desirable.

To apply go to https://www.fieldmuseum.org/about/careers

Applications will begin to be reviewed by June 15, 2025.

For more information contact Dr. Matt von Konrat, Head of Botanical Collections [email protected]

Pay: $61,000-64,000/annually

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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].