Taxacom: Collections Manager - Mycology/Lichenology at Field Museum

Sat May 3 11:12:59 CDT 2025

Dear colleagues,

Field Museum, Chicago, USA is advertising for a Collections Manager -
Mycology/Lichenology (
https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffieldmuseum.hrmdirect.com%2Femployment%2Fjob-opening.php%3Freq%3D3362451%26req_loc%3D739879%26%26%23job&data%7C02%7Ctaxacom%40lists.ku.edu%7C494f4aafd07648f0f54908dd8a5d67a6%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C638818855975786949%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Bi%2Ba%2BzvyQ3dp1DGeFhrQPRnaf4B4hVnxBobOHwX7eKc%3D&reserved=0
).

Please see the job description below.

Thank you,
Matt
--------------------------------------------

*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!

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://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fieldmuseum.org%2Fabout%2Fcareers&data%7C02%7Ctaxacom%40lists.ku.edu%7C494f4aafd07648f0f54908dd8a5d67a6%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C638818855975806217%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=yHBOmlvVxAhPfhnKVbtF6MTcvBztG5jY3wutLlqq5y8%3D&reserved=0

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

For more information contact Dr. Matt von Konrat, Head of Botanical
Collections mvonkonrat at fieldmuseum.org

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

*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
recruitment at fieldmuseum.org.

-- 

Matt von Konrat, Ph.D., FLS

Head of Botanical Collections, Gantz Family Collections Center

Adjunct Curator & McCarter Collections Manager (Bryophytes & Pteridophytes)

pronouns: he/him/his

O: 312.665.7864

Field Museum

1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive

Chicago, IL 60605

fieldmuseum.org

<https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ffieldmuseum.org%2F&data%7C02%7Ctaxacom%40lists.ku.edu%7C494f4aafd07648f0f54908dd8a5d67a6%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C638818855975818912%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata±%2BveIdceQhtuJXx6yvgbEyJC8zuRRRtfNoHsUepY%2BI%3D&reserved=0>