Vertebrate Paleontology Collections Manager at KU

Position starts January 1st, applications are due Sept 7th.

https://employment.ku.edu/collection-manager/12247br

The University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute seeks a collection manager to oversee its world-class research collections in vertebrate paleontology. The collections consist of extensive fossil vertebrate specimens, along with archives and library holdings. The collections have particular strengths in Paleozoic and Mesozoic fishes and Paleozoic tetrapods; fishes, plesiosaurs, mosasaurs, ichthyosaurs, pterosaurs and toothed birds from the Niobrara Chalk; Jurassic and Cretaceous dinosaurs from the Western Interior; Cenozoic mammals from the central and western parts of the USA; and a remarkable late Pleistocene fauna from Natural Trap Cave, Wyoming. KU faculty, staff and students, as well as national and international scholars use the collections extensively for research and education. The collection manager is responsible for day-to-day activities in the collection and reports to the curator-in-charge. This is a full-time (12-month appointment), non-tenure track position.

Duties include:

• Collection management and conservation of the various collections.

• Acquisition and collection development in conjunction with curators and students.

• Museum operational service including day-to-day care and use of the collections.

• Continue development and enhancement of collection database.

• Supervision and training of graduate and undergraduate research assistants and students, and volunteers.

• Professional development to maintain currency in and advance the field.

• Other duties as appropriate.

Required qualifications:

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in museum studies, geology, evolutionary biology, or paleontology from an accredited university plus experience working with museum collections in a position with similar responsibilities.

• Working knowledge of the taxonomy and identification of fossil vertebrates as evidence by previous experience and/or education.

• Demonstrable knowledge of care and management of natural history collections, with a special emphasis on preventative conservation, collection-storage environments, and techniques pertaining uniquely to fossil vertebrate collections as evidenced by previous experience.

• Familiarity with biodiversity informatics, including relational databases (e.g., Specify), web-based applications, and distributed networks as evidenced by previous experience and/or education.

And preference will be given to applicants with:

• Previous collection-management experience.

• Expertise in one or more taxa that constitute divisional strengths and programmatic priorities.

• Field experience collecting fossil vertebrate specimens.

• Experience preparing fossil vertebrate specimens.

A complete application will include (1) a letter of application addressing qualifications, (2) CV, (3) statement of collection management philosophy, (4) names and email address of three individuals who can write a letter of recommendation, and (5) representative publications (the latter is optional). More information and a complete position description may be obtained by contacting:

• K. Christopher Beard, Biodiversity Institute, Division of Vertebrate Paleontology, Senior Curator, chris.beard@ku.edu

• Jaime Keeler, Biodiversity Institute Business Coordinator, jrkeeler@ku.edu

The workplace is located in Dyche Hall and PSB on the university campus. The Biodiversity Institute is a healthy, dynamic, nourishing intellectual environment that values creativity, professional growth and collaborative interaction. The University of Kansas offers a fine benefits package for this permanent full-time position.

Application review begins 7 September 2018. EO/AA. We celebrate diversity in all life forms.

PhD Position, Vienna

The University of Vienna (19 faculties and centres, 178 fields of study, approx. 9.600 members of staff, about 92.000 students) seeks to fill the position as soon as possible of a University Assistant (pre-doc) at the Department of Palaeontology. This advertisement is for a PhD position at the Department of Palaeontology, in the working group on Environmental Palaeontology, group leader Martin Zuschin, close cooperation partners are Paolo Albano and Adam Tomasovych.

The group research topics are Conservation Paleobiology and Historical Ecology, Stratigraphic Paleobiology, Macroecology, Ecology and paleoecology of Recent and Pleistocene coral reefs. Our focus is mostly on the Cenozoic marine fossil record. Recent and current research projects include:

• Historical ecology of the Lessepsian migration.
• Historical ecology of the northern Adriatic Sea.
• Conservation palaeobiology of oil-polluted tropical marine biota in the Arabian Gulf.
• Biodiversity of Cenozoic molluscan faunas of Europe.
• Stratigrapic paleobiology of Pliocene brachiopod shell beds of southern Spain.

Job Description:
Participation in research, teaching and administration:

• The successful candidate works on her / his doctoral thesis.
• We expect the successful candidate to sign a doctoral thesis agreement within 12-18 months.
• Participation in teaching and independent teaching of courses as defined by the collective agreement.
• Supervision of bachelor and master students (in particular on topics that are related to the doctoral thesis of the candidate).
• Involvement in the organisation of meetings, conferences, symposiums.
• Participation in research projects / research studies.
• Participation in publications / academic articles / presentations.
• Involvement in the department administration.

Duration of employment: 4 year/s
Extent of Employment: 30 hours/week 
Reference number: 8758
More details here

Paleontological Society Undergraduate Ambassador

The Paleontological Society seeks to support undergraduate students interested in a career in paleontology who plan to attend the 2018 Geological Society of America meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana (Nov 3-7, 2018)

A limited number of grants are available to offset travel costs: $1,000 if the undergraduate is presenting original research at GSA and $500 if the undergraduate is just attending the meeting.

In addition to travel support, students will participate in mentoring opportunities with professional paleontologists and graduate students while at the meeting and receive a free 1‐year student membership to the Paleontological Society

In exchange, PS‐SAP students will be expected to volunteer at the PS booth for at least 5 hours during the meeting, and to use social media (e.g., blogs, Facebook, Twitter) to communicate to the Society about their experience at the meeting. In this way, students will serve as “ambassadors” for the Society.

To be eligible, students must be enrolled as an undergraduate student at an institution of higher education, have a stated interest in learning more about careers in paleontology, and be willing to use social media to promote PS activities at the conference. Student with diverse backgrounds (including race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, neurodiversity, accessibility, first-generation college, etc.) are encouraged to apply.

All documents must be received by Friday, August 10, 2018.

For more info, please see:

https://paleosoc.org/students/paleontological-society-student-ambassador-program/

2-year technical research assistant/postdoc position at Cork, Ireland

Applications are sought for a full-time technical research assistant who will work closely with the PI and her team of postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, research assistants and undergraduate students. Approximately 50% of the successful applicant’s time will be devoted to laboratory management; the remainder, to research.

The successful applicant will have significant laboratory experience in chemical analytical techniques and/or in electrobeam or X-ray imaging and will assist in managing the PI’s research laboratory. Specific duties associated with the post may include:

• Preparing fossil and modern tissue samples for scanning- and transmission electron microscopy
• Preparing ultrathin sections of tissues using an ultramicrotome
• Assisting with decay- and maturation experiments
• Assisting with FTIR and Raman analysis
• Managing supplies of laboratory consumables and usage of laboratory equipment and space
• Monitoring health & safety records and training
• Assisting with photography, light microscopy, and other sample preparation
• Undertaking semi-independent research projects broadly aligned with the PI’s research 

The Palaeobiology Group at UCC apply diverse analytical techniques to study of fossil soft tissues, including SEM, TEM, STEM, FTIR, Raman and synchrotron-XRF, XANES and EXAFS. The successful applicant will have demonstrable experience in at least one of these techniques.

The start date for the position is 1^st October 2018.

Salary: €24,592

To apply: Please submit a short cover letter and C.V. to Dr Maria McNamara (maria.mcnamara@ucc.ie) on or before the closing date (10^th August 2018).

2018 Division Awards for outstanding research

Every year the GBGM executive committee selects exceptional scholars to receive awards for their accomplishments in research, education/mentoring, and service in geobiology. This year we had an exceptional list of nominees so thanks to all those who nominated someone!

We are pleased to announce that the 2018 awards go to Paula Welander and Jim Schiffbauer (pre-tenure), Beth Orcutt (post-tenure), and Andy Knoll (distinguished career). Please checkout their brief biographies below.

Pre-Tenure Award Recipient: Paula Welander (Stanford University)

Paula Welander is a microbiologist with interests in understanding the biosynthesis and physiological function of “molecular fossils” or lipid biomarkers in extant microbes. Paula received her undergraduate degree in kinesiology from Occidental College in Los Angeles. She obtained her PhD in microbiology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she studied methanogenesis with Prof. Bill Metcalf.  Paula then pursued postdoctoral studies on the biosynthesis of hopanoids, lipid produced by bacteria that also function as geological biomarkers, at MIT with Prof. Dianne Newman and Prof. Roger Summons. She joined the Stanford faculty in 2013 where she has continued her molecular work on lipid biomarkers in extant bacteria and archaea.

Pre-Tenure Award Recipient: James Schiffbauer (University of Missouri)

Dr. Schiffbauer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences and Director of the X-ray Microanalysis Core at the University of Missouri. Schiffbauer’s academic background spans both biology and geology, and his research interests center on how accurately the history of life can be interpreted through the fossil record. Specifically targeting the taphonomy of complex multicellular fossils from the dawn of animal life at the Ediacaran–Cambrian transition, Schiffbauer uses advanced microscopy methods, including analytical scanning electron microscopy and tomographic x-ray microscopy, to help resolve which features of fossils represent true biological signal as opposed to those that are instead preservational noise.

Post-Tenure Award Recipient: Beth Orcutt (Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences)

Dr. Beth Orcutt is a Senior Research Scientist at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in East Boothbay, Maine. Orcutt’s research focuses on understanding microscopic life at and below the seafloor, to resolve the importance of microbes in global chemical cycling while also revealing how life can survive in extremes for future astrobiology investigations. Having spent over 560 days at sea on 35 different field missions, Orcutt is an expert in ocean exploration technology.

Distinguished Career Award Recipient: Andrew Knoll (Harvard University)

Andrew Knoll is the Fisher Professor of Natural History at Harvard University, where he has taught for the past 36 years.  Knoll has longstanding interests in life and environments on the Archean and Proterozoic Earth, but he has also worried about Phanerozoic plant, animal, and phytoplankton evolution.  Much of Knoll’s paleontological and biogeochemical research derives from careful fieldwork, including successions in the Arctic, Siberia, China, Australia, and – virtually, at least – Mars.

Please join us in congratulating these four exceptional scientists at the GSA Geobiology Division Award Presentation during the 2018 GSA in Indiana.

KU Vertebrate Paleontology Collections Manager

KU is hiring a new Vertebrate Paleontology Collections Manager, position starts January 1st 2019, applications are due Sept 7th.

More info here: https://employment.ku.edu/collection-manager/12247br

Collection Manager Position Overview
The collection manager for the Division of Vertebrate Paleontology of The University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute administers a world-class collection. The collections consist of extensive fossil vertebrate specimens, along with archives and library holdings. Notable strengths of the collection include its Paleozoic and Mesozoic fishes and Paleozoic tetrapods; one of the finest assemblages of fishes, plesiosaurs, mosasaurs, ichthyosaurs, pterosaurs and toothed birds from the Kansas Cretaceous Niobrara Chalk; an array of hadrosaurs, tyrannosaurs and ceratopsians from the Fruitland Formation, New Mexico; Morrison Formation sauropods; Hell Creek and Lance Creek dinosaurs; a comprehensive Cenozoic mammal record from the central and western US; and the remarkable late Pleistocene fauna from Natural Trap Cave, Wyoming. University faculty, staff and students, and national and international scholars use the collections extensively for research and education. The collection manager is responsible for day-to-day activities in the collection and reports to the curator-in-charge.

Job Description
Collection management and conservation (20%)

• Ensure-long term integrity and preservation of collections and collection-storage environment. 
• Maintain and improve collection-care protocols. 
• Develop and maintain collection database. 
• Maintain and organize records of collection activity, use, and status for annual reports, grant submissions, and other documentation. 

Acquisition and collection development (30%)

• Oversee the preparation and staging of newly acquired specimens for their integration into the collection. 
• Organize and prepare documentation necessary for specimen accession, including state, national and international permits and associated documentation. 
• Digitize museum specimen information for global discoverability. 
• Participate in acquisition of specimens for the Division by facilitating donations and by occasional fieldwork and expeditions at the direction of the curatorial staff. 

Museum operational service (30%)

• Process all specimens loans, exchanges, and gifts; incorporated received specimens into the collection; maintain appropriate records of such activities. 
• Collaborate with curators to plan and implement divisional goals, priorities, and programs. 
• Collaborate with other museum collection managers to achieve high quality collection care and economy of scale in all collection-related activities. 
• Work proactively to place specimens from Division of Vertebrate Paelontology's collection into the hands of qualified researchers for study. 
• Assist and supervise users of the collection. 
• Respond to inquiries from scientists, governmental and consulting agencies, the public, and other users. 
• Participate in the museum’s public programming by providing information and specimens and assisting in exhibit design; assist in museum public functions. 
• Conduct tours for visiting scholars, students, and the public. 

Supervision (10%)

• Train and supervise graduate student curatorial assistant(s). 
• Hire, train, and supervise undergraduate assistants. 
• Train and supervise volunteers working in the collection. 

Professional development (5%)

• Work closely with the entire collection management staff to ensure consistency of practice. 
• Participate in collection management training and development through professional societies. 
• Undertake research in area of expertise when not in conflict with collection management duties. 
• Participate in professional paleontological societies. 

Other duties as appropriate. (5%)

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in museum studies, geology, evolutionary biology, or paleontology from an accredited university plus experience working with museum collections in a position with similar responsibilities. 
• Working knowledge of the taxonomy and identification of fossil vertebrates as evidenced by previous experience and/or education. 
• Demonstrable knowledge of care and management of natural history collections, with a special emphasis on preventative conservation, collection-storage environments, and techniques pertaining uniquely to fossil vertebrate collections as evidenced by previous experience. 
• Familiarity with biodiversity informatics, including relational databases (e.g., Specify), web-based applications, and distributed networks as evidenced by previous experience and/or education. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous collection-management experience in a natural history collection, with a special emphasis on vertebrate paleontology collections. 
• Expertise in one or more taxa that constitute divisional strengths and programmatic priorities. 
• Field experience collecting fossil vertebrate specimens. 
• Experience preparing fossil vertebrate specimens. 
• Experience with public educational outreach activities in a natural history museum setting. 

Additional Candidate Instructions

• A complete application will include: 
• A letter of application addressing qualifications 
• CV/Resume 
• Statement of collection management philosophy 
• Names and e-mail addresses of three individuals who can write a letter of recommendation 
• Representative publications (the latter is optional) 

Application review begins 7 September 2018.
For more information please contact:K. Christopher Beard, Biodiversity Institute, Division of Vertebrate Paleontology, Senior Curator, chris.beard@ku.edu
Jaime Keeler, Biodiversity Institute Business Coordinator, jrkeeler@ku.edu

The workplace is located in Dyche Hall and PSB on the university campus. The Biodiversity Institute is a healthy, dynamic, nourishing intellectual environment that values creativity, professional growth and collaborative interaction. The University of Kansas offers a fine benefits package for this permanent full-time position.

Contact Information to Applicants
Dr. K. Christopher Beard, Biodiversity Institute Division of Vertebrate Paleontology, Senior Curator
chris.beard@ku.edu
Jaime Keeler, Biodiversity Institute Business Coordinator
jrkeeler@ku.edu

Advertised Salary Range: $38,000-$42,000

Application Review Begins: Friday, September 7, 2018

Anticipated Start Date: Tuesday, January 1, 2019