Research Assistant I - Geology

Field Museum•Chicago, IL

2d•$19•Hybrid

About The Position

The Field Museum’s Mann Lab (Early Tetrapod Evolution) seeks a candidate to assist the curator in both research and technical aspects of vertebrate paleontology. The position will include four major responsibilities: 1) Participate in fieldwork (candidate must be willing to work outside in a variety of environmental conditions), fossil preparation, and curation of a large new collection of fossil fish and tetrapods from the historic fossil site, Linton, Ohio. Linton fossils are uniquely preserved in cannel coal and are studied through mechanical and acid preparation. 2) Assist the curator in archival and collections work related to fossil fish and early tetrapod paleontological research at the museum. 3) Assist in making scientific illustrations of new and existing fossil material. Illustrations will be used for outreach and scientific publication. The candidate will also assist in generating publication ready figures using Adobe Creative suite where applicable. 4) Participate and help lead Lab outreach endeavors including community engagement events with local stakeholders (e.g., ESCONI), and regular museum programming (e.g., members nights, Womens Board Gala etc.). While conducting original research is not a major objective of this position, there may be opportunities to participate in ongoing research projects including the possibility of authorship. This position is designed to provide candidates with hands-on training of a paleobiological toolkit of methods and best museum practices commonly found in our field and broadly in natural history sciences. The Research Assistant will have the opportunity to network and learn from lab members of diverse backgrounds, not only exposing them to higher-level critical science skills and navigating collaborations, but instill in them the importance of diversity and communication in science.

Requirements

Willingness to work outside in a variety of environmental conditions.
Experience with mechanical and acid preparation of fossils.
Experience with archival and collections work.
Experience with scientific illustration.
Experience generating publication-ready figures using Adobe Creative Suite.
Experience with community engagement events and museum programming.

Nice To Haves

Completed a bachelor's degree.
Prior experience working in a museum setting.
Experience with illustration, preparation, or other outreach objectives.

Responsibilities

Participate in fieldwork, fossil preparation, and curation of fossil fish and tetrapods.
Assist the curator in archival and collections work related to fossil fish and early tetrapod paleontological research.
Assist in making scientific illustrations of fossil material for outreach and publication.
Assist in generating publication-ready figures using Adobe Creative Suite.
Participate and help lead Lab outreach endeavors, including community engagement events and museum programming.