Research Zoologist (Curator of Fishes), IS-0410-12

Smithsonian Institution•Washington, DC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is seeking an experienced candidate to fill the Research Zoologist and Curator of Fishes position in the department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes. The purpose of this position is to perform scholarly scientific research and professional curation in the National Fish Collection. The NMNH is part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s preeminent museum and research complex. The Museum is dedicated to inspiring curiosity, discovery, and learning about the natural world through its unparalleled research, collections, exhibitions, and education outreach programs. The NMNH holds a collection of over 148 million specimens and objects across Botany, Entomology, Invertebrate Zoology, Vertebrate Zoology, Paleobiology, Mineral Sciences, and Anthropology. The incumbent will serve as a Research Zoologist and Curator of Fishes under the general administrative direction and professional counsel of the Department Chair. The incumbent is responsible for directing and performing independent scholarly scientific research and professional curation in the National Fish Collection. The incumbent develops and expands an internationally recognized research program, making major contributions to the field of zoology through research, integrative scientific investigation, scholarly and public presentations, publications, and recognition within the scientific community. This entry-level position will be filled at the IS-12 level, which is comparable to the GS-12 level in the Federal Government.

Requirements

Degree: zoology; or a related discipline or field of science that included at least 20 semester hours in zoology and related animal sciences.
Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in zoology, or in a related discipline that included course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Applicants MUST possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a relevant field of study from an accredited college or university; and/or related experience that demonstrates possession of the competencies described below; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
Knowledge of and ability to conduct collections-oriented research in Systematic Ichthyology.
Knowledge of and experience with curation practices and procedures for museum collections in specialty area.
Must have demonstrated ability as a competent and productive researcher and be recognized as a significant contributor to Systematic Ichthyology as attested by a record of publications in peer reviewed journals.
Highest ranked candidates will have a record of innovative, original, and independent research.
Requires thorough knowledge of collections management practices, gained through work experience in curation and research on ichthyological collections, to develop and curate portions of the National Fish Collection for which the incumbent is responsible through field work and the acquisition, maintenance, and management of collections.
Must be able to communicate orally and in writing to articulate their research program to administrators, the scientific community, funding agencies, and the general public.

Nice To Haves

The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

Independently initiates, develops, and personally participates in integrative scientific research, fieldwork, and collection growth and maintenance within the field of Systematic Ichthyology. Research consists of systematically planned, original studies or a series of studies that address broader problems.
Regularly publishes technical papers as well as synthetic works of descriptive, analytical, theoretical, and/or applied nature based on own fieldwork, study of collections in this and other institutions, and on existing scholarly publications.
Seeks non-departmental funding from sources within and beyond the Smithsonian.
Keeps abreast of new developments and related research conducted elsewhere to improve the incumbent’s research and curation program.
Develops and curates portions of the National Fish Collection in their own specialty area.
Through fieldwork and acquisition of specimens, maintains, develops, and improves the National Fish Collection.
Directs an active program of specimen/data exchange and cooperation with other museums, educational institutions, and scholars.
Recommends approval or disapproval of requested loans from the Collection to other institutions.
Serves as a consultant and expert advisor on professional matters in their area of expertise to colleagues, governmental agencies, other governments, institutions, foundations, organizations, and the general public.
Participates in the planning and development of museum exhibits and public education programs, including distance learning, in areas related to expertise.
Serves as supervisor or advisor to interns, students, fellows, short-term scholars, and to scientific institutions and museums.
Develops performance plans for supervisees and evaluates performance.
Gives advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters.