[MARMAM] Job Announcement - Curator of Marine Mammals

[Samuel A. McLeod]

MarMam subscribers,

Posted on behalf of Lisa Granados

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Curator, Marine Mammals
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) seeks a curator specializing in the study of marine mammals (living or fossil) to conduct collection-based research in evolutionary biology including taxonomy, systematics, biogeography, and biodiversity science. The NHM, the largest natural history museum in the western United States, has recently finished a dramatic transformation including new ground-breaking exhibitions and a 3 ½ acre wildlife garden.  The NHM's mission is to inspire wonder, discovery, and responsibility for our natural and cultural worlds.  The NHM has recently developed a strategic intent-"Be the best at communicating how our planet and life on it changes over time and why this matters"-that will guide the museum's priorities during the next decade.  The successful candidate will have a record of outstanding research and publications as well as excellent communication skills and an innate ability to engage and enthuse the public and stakeholders through his or her work.

The NHM holds one of the world's best collections of living and fossil marine mammals, with huge potential for a broad array of research and public programs.  Through a network of partnerships with local universities, the NHM provides academic mentoring to a diverse community of undergraduate and graduate students. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing a dynamic, productive, and scientifically significant program of research to build a growing scientific and public profile, overseeing the development and curation of important collections, maintaining and strengthening the NHM's presence in key professional and governmental networks, and establishing active internal NHM collaborations, especially with the Education and Exhibits, the Marketing and Communications, and the Advancement Departments.

The successful candidate will have a strong track record of published research with strengths in the field of evolutionary biology, and will be expected to develop an active and publically engaging research program, develop working relationships with local universities, mentor students and postdoctoral fellows, and maintain research through obtaining competitive grants and/or funding from other external sources.  The successful candidate will have a Ph.D., experience in generating funding to support research, and a demonstrated track-record of peer-reviewed papers; a record of successful public communications in some form would be an advantage. The candidate must have the vision and capability to build a research program that can be integrated within the NHM's ongoing efforts to understand the evolution of marine ecosystems and organismal adaptation to the ocean, and to shape the collections and research in ways that increase both its scientific and public appeal. Experience in collections management is desirable.

The ability to effectively communicate and engage with a wide variety of audiences, including the public and the NHM's various stakeholders is paramount. The successful candidate will be expected to oversee and supervise the NHM's marine mammal program including collections and collections managements staff, to participate actively in a broad range of museum activities, including exhibits, education, outreach and training of educators, public communications including, but not limited to, media interactions, and fundraising activities. More specifically, the successful candidate will be expected to play a key role in the development of content for a new permanent exhibition about the ocean. The curator will also be responsible for building productive ties with local universities, professional associations, educators, and other relevant organizations within the scientific and general community.

This is a full-time position with a salary and title commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits. The starting date is July 1st, 2014. Applicants should send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, salary history, and the full contact information of at least three professional references to lgranado at nhm.org - Lisa Granados, Research & Collections, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA.

Application deadline is January 31st, 2014.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is an Equal Opportunity Employer