Plant Biology- Herbarium Digital Curator- CALS
About The Position
The L.H. Bailey Hortorium Herbarium (BH) at Cornell University is centrally located on main campus and contains over 950,000 dried plant specimens. It includes both native and cultivated material collected from around the world and other special collections associated with the Herbarium. It is one of the largest university-affiliated collections of preserved plant material in North America. The L.H. Bailey Hortorium supports collection-based botanical and horticultural research, discovery, and education by preserving and celebrating its rich history while evolving and enhancing the collection for the future. Through these activities, the Herbarium provides unique learning opportunities for field and museum-based botany, enhancing scholarship and outcomes for undergraduate and graduate students at Cornell. Looking forward, the Herbarium is seeking new and creative ways to implement extended specimen models, to utilize its historical collections for research innovation, and to provide experiential learning for students and the community. The BH Herbarium Digital Curator position is located within the department of Plant Biology. This position plays a key role in the digitization, management, and accessibility of the BH collection, ensuring that specimens are properly documented and accessible to researchers, educators, and the public. The Digital Curator will leverage modern computational technologies to enhance our ability to preserve botanical collections and data extensions digitally, facilitate research and education, and engage in collaborative efforts to contribute to global biodiversity databases. This is a part-time position at 50% FTE. This is a one-year term appointment that is contingent upon available work, funding, and performance. There is the opportunity to work remotely within or outside New York State 5 days a week; an on-site presence is not required. While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.
Requirements
- A Master’s degree or equivalent in Botany, Biology, Information Science, Museum Studies, or a related field.
- Experience in botanical collections, herbarium management, or digital curation, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Familiarity with herbarium practices, taxonomy, and botanical data standards.
- Experience with computational programming for biodiversity informatics.
- Ability to maintain a website.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain high standards of accuracy and consistency in data management.
- Proficiency in database management, including metadata entry, query generation, and data validation.
- Ability to troubleshoot technical issues related to imaging equipment, databases, and software tools.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with herbarium specimen digitization techniques, such as imaging and data capture
- Experience using biodiversity databases and collections management software (e.g., Symbiota, Specify, Arctos)
- Knowledge of data standards and interoperability (e.g., Darwin Core, TDWG, GBIF)
- Experience with digital preservation methods and ethical considerations in the digitization of cultural and scientific collections
Responsibilities
- Digitization, management, and accessibility of the BH collection
- Ensuring specimens are properly documented and accessible to researchers, educators, and the public
- Leveraging modern computational technologies to enhance the preservation of botanical collections and data extensions digitally
- Facilitating research and education
- Engaging in collaborative efforts to contribute to global biodiversity databases
- Cultivating and developing inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members
Benefits
- Comprehensive health care options
- Generous retirement contributions
- Access to wellness programs
- Employee discounts with local and national retail brands
- Health and personal leave
- Three weeks of vacation
- 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1
- Two additional floating holidays
- Tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program
- Tuition aid for external education
- Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Mid Level
