Kirtlandia Intern-Anthropology

Cleveland Museum of Natural History•Cleveland, OH

About The Position

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History seeks an Bioarchaeology Intern to join an ongoing research project exploring biocultural and socioeconomic change across the Later Stone Age, Pastoral Neolithic, and Pastoral Iron Age in Kenya, with a focus on the last 10,000 years. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to travel to Kenya for a portion of the 8-week internship to participate in archaeological fieldwork as part of an international team. With the supervisor, the intern will document and excavate archaeological human remains and develop a research project related to bioarchaeology, biological anthropology, and/or mortuary archaeology. At the completion of the project, the intern will have gained an understanding of bioarchaeological field and lab methods and experience in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting bioarchaeological and archaeological data. Under the guidance of the supervisor, they will return to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History to analyze data, synthesize results, and generate a final report. This is an 8-week program at 40 hours per week (320 hours). This position requires international travel to Kenya and the successful candidate must be able to travel there by May 15, 2026. Candidates must hold, or be able to obtain and maintain, all necessary travel documents by May 1, 2026. Travel to the field and food/accommodation in Kenya will be provided. Interns will present their internship-related activities at the Friends of CMNH annual August luncheon meeting. More information can be found here: Internships | Cleveland Museum of Natural History [https://www.cmnh.org/get-involved/internships] Eligibility: Program applicants must be attending an accredited college or university or must have graduated from college within six months prior to application submittal. Applicants must hold a valid passport and meet all requirements for entry to Kenya at the time of hire. Information on visa requirements can be found at https://etakenya.go.ke/ [https://etakenya.go.ke/].

Requirements

Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail
Exhibit respect for other cultures and team members
Comfortable with international travel
Knowledge of basic field and lab methods in biological anthropology and archaeology, previous research experience preferred
Ability to communicate effectively both written and orally
Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications
Ability to handle sensitive materials carefully and safely to not cause damage
Ability to work successfully with Museum members, employees and the general public
Program applicants must be attending an accredited college or university or must have graduated from college within six months prior to application submittal
Applicants must hold a valid passport and meet all requirements for entry to Kenya at the time of hire
Candidates must hold, or be able to obtain and maintain, all necessary travel documents by May 1, 2026

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of basic field and lab methods in biological anthropology and archaeology, previous research experience preferred

Responsibilities

Responsible for assigned tasks associated with research activities including, but not limited to, excavating, artifact handling, labeling, sorting, identification, digitization, imaging, field collection, monitoring, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and report writing
Assists in accurate record keeping of research activities
Responsible for the handling of sensitive materials with care and attention in order to mitigate damage
Assists in ordering supplies and equipment in support of research project
Performs all duties according to established museum operating, safety, and environmental and quality policies
Adheres to the CMNH Manual of Research and Collections Policies
Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor or museum management