We are seeking a Curator of
Ornithology at the LACM. Please share this
announcement with any of your students,
postdocs, and/or colleagues who may be
interested in applying.
The Natural History Museum of
Los Angeles County (NHM) seeks a Curator to lead its research on birds,
oversee the growth and care of the ornithology collection, and to
provide content for a variety of publicprograms. These activities will
support NHM's new strategic goals of understanding and promoting
urban biodiversity and strengthening and activating its research and
collections departments.
NHM, the largest natural history
museum in the western United States, holds one of the world's best
collections of extant birds. This includes over 120,000 specimens-primarily
study skins and skeletons-representing more than 5,200 species. The
collection is strongest for the Americas and Africa, and it is also
important for the Pacific region. NHM also holds extensive collections of
fossil birds, including the renowned collection of the La Brea Tar
Pits. These, together with other important
ornithological collections in
Southern California (e.g., the Moore Laboratory of Zoology,
UCLA-Dickey Bird and Mammal Collection, and
Western Foundation of Vertebrate
Zoology), make Los Angeles an unparalleled
place for collections-based,
ornithological research. Moreover, the
region is home to over 500 extant bird
species and comprises a diversity of habitats that offer many
potential sites for field research.
The successful candidate will
have a record of outstanding research, excellent communication skills,
and a demonstrated ability to engage the public and stakeholders. A
Ph.D. and a strong track record of peer-reviewed publications that
focus on evolutionary biology and/or ecology (e.g., taxonomy,
systematics, biogeography, global change, urban nature, and/or
biodiversity science) are required. He/she
will be expected to build an active and
publically appealing research program, to oversee all NHM's programs on
living birds, and to supervise the staff and volunteers of the
Department of Ornithology. Additionally, the successful candidate is
expected to develop working relationships with local universities, mentor
students and postdoctoral fellows, trengthen NHM's presence in key
professional and governmental networks, and maintain research through
competitive grants and/or other funding from external sources. The
successful candidate will also be expected
to participate actively in a broad
range of museum activities, including exhibits, education, citizen
science programs, training of educators and volunteers, public
communications and media interactions, and fundraising activities. A vision
and capability to build a research program that can be integrated
within the NHM's ongoing efforts to understand urban
biodiversity-particularly in Southern
California-and to shape the collections and
research in ways that activate both its scientific and public appeal is
paramount.
NHM is seeking applicants who
have demonstrated experience and commitment working with a diverse
community. This is a full-time position with
a salary and title commensurate
with experience, plus excellent benefits.
Application deadline is November
15th, 2017. The starting date is July 1st, 2018. Applicants should
send a cover letter and vision statement,curriculum vitae, salary
history, and the full contact information of
at least three professional
references to
thayden@nhm.org - Tyler Hayden, Research & Collections,
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
County, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los
Angeles, CA 90007, USA.
The Natural History Museum of
Los Angeles County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please, No Phone
Calls, No Fax.