Naturhistorisches Museum Wien

Academic Curator for the Microlepidoptera Collection (m/f/d)

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The Natural History Museum preserves, researches and presents its extensive collections in a building designed as a total work of art. lt conveys the diversity of nature, the evolution of planet Earth and life, and the related cultural development of mankind, and offers an inspiring meeting place. The earliest collections are over 250 years old. Today, some 30 million objects are under scientific care. 
In order to do justice to the significance of insects and the collections, which comprise around 11 million specimens, these are to be further developed for science and society. This requires, on the one hand, well-founded, methodologically broad-based taxonomic expertise and, on the other hand, access to social requirements such as digital transformation (handling databases, e-services) and the involvement of society (citizen science, media work). The collections are to be used for own research as well as to be made accessible to the national and international research community.
 
Beginning from 1 May 2025 we are looking for a Academic Curator.

Tasks and areas of responsibility

  • Collection care and development
    o   Curatorial care of the Microlepidoptera collection (estimated more than one million specimens) including loan transactions, scientific advice and guest relations
    o   Development of the Microlepidoptera collection in terms of quality and quantity
    o   Expansion of the Lepidoptera specialist library
    o   Implementation of digital transformation 
  • Research
     
     
    o   Independent research on Microlepidoptera, especially in the fields of taxonomy and systematics 
    o   Planning and implementation of research projects
    o   Acquisition of third-party funding
    o   Publication of results in national and international journals
    o   Presentation of research at international congresses and workshops
    o   Interdisciplinary cooperation within the Natural History Museum as well as with national and international research institutions
  •  
    Education and public outreach
    o   Cooperation within the educational mission of the museum (national and international exhibitions, popular science publications) in coordination with the Departments of Science Communication and Exhibition 
    o   Guided tours and lectures to professional audiences as well as the general public
    o   Collaboration in the museum’s citizen science activities
    Cooperation with media and educational institutions (interviews, consulting, projects, etc.) in cooperation with the Departments Press and Marketing & Sales 

Required qualifications and skills

• Completed studies (PhD) in biology or equivalent
• Relevant scientific experience in taxonomy and systematics of Microlepidoptera, preferably in different zoogeographical regions
• Experience with entomological collections
• Relevant methodological knowledge (e.g., imaging techniques, genetics, data processing)
• Taxonomic and systematic publications in international journals
• Experience in designing and implementing international research projects
• Experience in communicating biological knowledge
• Ability to work in a team
• Very good language skills in German or English
• Willingness to learn the German language, if this is not the applicant’s first language

We offer

• A responsible, exciting and varied area of responsibility
• Insights into one of the largest museums in Austria
• Flat hierarchies, open communication and a good working atmosphere
• Flexible working time
• An office in the centre of Vienna with good public transport accessibility
 
Please not the benefits provided by the NHM as employer available at https://jobs.nhm.at/das-nhm-als-arbeitgeber.html.
Depending on your qualifications and experience, the salary is EUR 3,080 gross salary for 37,5 hours per week, 14 times a year, i.e. EUR 43,120 pa. If we have aroused your interest, we look forward to receiving your detailed application by 31 December 2024.
Please note that applications can only be submitted via the NHM application portal at https://jobs.nhm.at/ Your contact person for further questions: Sabine Burger-Koch.