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About the Role

The Curatorial Associate oversees all aspects of herbarium collection curation, including processing specimens, managing data, and performing routine care. The position also evaluates collection standards and develops strategies for improvement.

Responsibilities

• Manage and curate the Herbarium’s botanical collections, including more than 950,000 dried vascular and nonvascular plant specimens, native and cultivated material, and other special collections.
• Oversee the preparation, processing, accessioning, documentation, imaging, data entry, database management, specimen mapping, systematic organization, and routine conservation of herbarium materials in accordance with accepted museum standards.
• Manage incoming and outgoing loans, including filing incoming loans, accessioning new material, and assisting with the fulfillment of loan requests.
• Update taxonomic nomenclature and annotate specimen names on existing herbarium materials.
• Perform routine insect control, including the freezing of specimens, and ensure collection management practices comply with applicable safety protocols and procedures.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve the physical condition, preservation, organization, and efficiency of the collection.
• Provide day-to-day direction to the Digital Curator in coordinating digital collection management and development.
• Establish work priorities and direct staffing to accomplish the herbarium goals and objectives; recruit, train, and manage undergraduates, interns, and volunteers.
• Interface with other institutions and major New York State projects such as the New York Flora Association; is the primary resource for plant identification service (diagnostics) and handles requests from NY county extension agents, agriculturists, horticulturists departments and the general public.
• Deliver guest lectures and seminars for Cornell courses and presentations to plant-focused organizations.
• Present research and professional work at conferences and professional meetings.
• Conduct tours, demonstrations, workshops, and educational programs for Cornell classes, outside organizations, and other visitors.
• Lead field trips to local natural areas and provide botanical and herbarium-related instruction.
• Engage in herbarium research-related activities, including authoring scholarly publications and reports.
• Manage herbarium budgets, purchase materials and supplies, maintain records on collection use and growth, and prepare annual reports.

Requirements

• Graduate degree (M.Sc. or Ph.D.) in Botany, Biology, Information Science, Museum Studies, or a related field.
• At least three years of experience working with preserved plant specimens or managing a plant collection, including digital imaging of specimens, herbarium database management, and management of a barcode system as it pertains to standard modern herbarium practice.
• Knowledge of botanical classification, nomenclature, and world geography.
• Knowledge and demonstrated expertise in identifying North American flora, particularly the flora of New York State, as well as cultivated flora of the United States.
• General knowledge and skills in plant identification, plant descriptions, and developing related botanical content.
• Experience conducting independent, directed research related to New York and cultivated floras and the ability to develop research findings into publishable content.
• Knowledge of and proficiency with digital imaging of specimens, specimen data and image databasing, and barcode record-keeping.
• Experience with general herbarium curation, including established methods for specimen annotation, organization, and maintenance.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Must complete Cornell University Supervisory Development Training within one year of hire into the position.

Skills

• Digital imaging of specimens
• Herbarium database management
• Barcode system management
• Botanical classification
• Nomenclature
• World geography
• North American flora identification
• New York State flora identification
• Cultivated flora identification
• Plant identification
• Plant descriptions
• Botanical content development
• Research
• Scholarly publications
• Budget management
• Specimen annotation
• Specimen organization
• Specimen maintenance
• High-resolution 3-D digital images
• CT scans
• Image file storage and archiving
• Image analysis
• Spatial data analysis
• Georeferencing
• GIS
• Collection management databases
• Online aggregators (Symbiota, iDigBio, Arctos, etc.)
• Curation of extended (holistic) specimens
• Website maintenance
• Grant preparation
• Grant administration
• Supervising undergraduate students

Location

• Ithaca, NY

Work Type

• Full-time
• On-site

Experience Level

• 3+ years of experience

Education Level

• Graduate degree (M.Sc. or Ph.D.)

Salary/Compensations

• $29.45 - $31.66 per hour

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care options
• Generous retirement contributions
• Access to wellness programs
• Employee discounts
• Health and personal leave
• Three weeks of vacation
• 13 holidays
• Two additional floating holidays
• Tuition-free Extramural Study
• Employee Degree Program
• Tuition aid for external education
• Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program

About the Company

• The L. H. Bailey Hortorium Herbarium at Cornell University houses more than 950,000 preserved plant specimens collected from around the world, making it one of the largest university-affiliated herbaria in North America.
• The Herbarium supports botanical and horticultural research, education, and discovery through the preservation and advancement of its extensive collections.
• It provides unique field- and museum-based learning opportunities for Cornell students and the broader community.
• Looking ahead, the Herbarium is exploring innovative approaches to extended specimens, research, and experiential learning.

Equal Opportunity

• Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
• Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds.
• We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.
• Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.
• We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.