Museum Conservation Scientist

Denver Museum of Nature & Science•Denver, CO

3d•$75,000 - $80,000

About The Position

Have you ever wanted the opportunity to shape the future of conservation science at a world-renowned museum? The Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS) invites applications for the position of Museum Conservation Scientist to lead analytical research, conservation science initiatives, and preservation strategies for collections at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. This role will drive the scientific investigation of materials, deterioration processes, and preventive conservation approaches. The successful candidate will develop and build out new laboratory capacity, have the opportunity to acquire a range of analytical instrumentation, and build a small support team. The Avenir Conservation Center (ACC) at DMNS was established in 2022 through an extraordinary gift. The ACC is an advanced conservation laboratory and an entity that carries out expansive and culturally inclusive projects. At DMNS, conservators have historically mainly engaged with ethnographic and archaeological collections; however, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to conduct analytical studies on a wide range of materials including organic, inorganic, and composite objects, and a variety of different collections (anthropological, biological, geological, paleontological, and archival). The successful candidate will actively share research findings both within the institution and across the broader museum and academic sectors. We are looking for someone eager to communicate their science broadly and translate complex findings through public programs, and both scholarly and popular publications This position offers significant opportunities to shape the conservation science program at the Museum. The successful candidate will play a key role in expanding analytical capabilities, building new research infrastructure, and strengthening our understanding of cultural and natural heritage materials.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Science, Geochemistry, or a related physical science.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in a natural history museum or heritage science environment.
Proven track record working with natural history collections, a wide range of materials, and a diverse group of scientists and museum professionals.
Expert-level proficiency in operating and interpreting data from a wide array of scientific instruments.

Nice To Haves

Scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed publications.
Record of extramural grant acquisition and/or private fundraising skills
Experience designing lab spaces or procuring scientific instrumentation
Supervisory or mentorship experience
Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and oversee complex facility projects.
Public speaking ability, including experience with, or interest in, developing skills in a wide range of science communication styles and media.
Knowledge of preventive conservation, environmental monitoring, and museum standards.

Responsibilities

Lead analytical research
Lead conservation science initiatives
Lead preservation strategies for collections
Drive the scientific investigation of materials, deterioration processes, and preventive conservation approaches
Develop and build out new laboratory capacity
Acquire a range of analytical instrumentation
Build a small support team
Conduct analytical studies on a wide range of materials including organic, inorganic, and composite objects, and a variety of different collections (anthropological, biological, geological, paleontological, and archival)
Actively share research findings both within the institution and across the broader museum and academic sectors
Communicate their science broadly and translate complex findings through public programs, and both scholarly and popular publications
Play a key role in expanding analytical capabilities
Build new research infrastructure
Strengthen our understanding of cultural and natural heritage materials