Naturhistorisches Museum Wien

Curator for the osteological collection of human remains (m/f/d)

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. Around 1 million guests visit us every year at our two locations Maria-Theresienplatz and Narrenturm.
 
The collection of human remains is one of the most important holdings of the Department of Anthropology. A significant part of the finds covers the territory of what is geographically Austria today and originate mainly from archaeological excavations of various periods, mainly from the Neolithic to the Early Middle Ages. The diachronic, micro-evolutionary and interdisciplinary study of health and living conditions of people from earlier times is the research desideratum of the department.  

Tasks and areas of responsibility

Collection:

  • Scientific and curatorial care, administration, cataloging, documatation and research on the collection originating especially from excavations in present day Austria;
  • expansion of the biological, archaeological and historical contextualisation of the existing collections;
  • augmentation of the collection through well-contextualised new holdings;
  • supervision of guest researchers and students;
  • Answering requests concerning the collection;
  • Maintaining international/national academic and curatorial collaborations.    

Research:

  • Planning, realization and coordination of research projects (also collection-related and related to the main topics of the department: bioathropology, bioarchaeology, palaeopathology, biomechanics, interpretation of biomolecular/biochemical results etc);
  • Acquisition of third-party funding;
  • Supervision of theses (MSc, PhD); 
  • Presentation of research at international conferences and workshops;
  • Publication of results in national and international journals;
  • Interdisciplinary cooperation within the Natural History Museum  and international research institutions. 

Education and the public:

  • Collaboration in the museum's educational mission (national and international exhibitions, popular science publications, citizen science activities etc);
  • Guided tours and lectures for specialist audiences and the general public;
  • Advice for students and information on the collection for the general public;
  • Cooperation with the media and educational institutions (popular science publications, interviews, advice, projects, etc.) in collaboration with the Communication and Media department.

Required qualifications and skills

  • Completed studies (Ph.D.) in biological anthropology and the possibility to supervise MSc and PhD students at the university in the near future
  • Successful acquisition, management and realisation of subject-specific research projects 
  • Relevant scientific experience and expertise (osteology, palaeopathology, palaeodemography, cemetery analyses etc) 
  • Experience in the interpretation of bio-molecular analyses (aDNA, isotopes, proteins etc) 
  • Experience in the interpretation of imaging techniques (X-ray, histology, micro-CT etc)
  • Experience with ethical aspects of human-osteological collections
  • Excavation experience and experience in handling human osteological collections
  • Good networking in the international research community  
  • Proof of publications in top international journals, as well as proven research activity (through externally funded projects) 
  • Experience in the organization of workshops and scientific meetings and congresses
  • Willingness to work on exhibitions and didactic projects 
  • Experience in communicating scientific content to experts, the general public and the media 
  • Good knowledge of statistics and computer applications in bioanthropology
  • Good knowledge of German and English (written and spoken) 
  • Ability to work in a team; social skills, flexibility and reliability 

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 3,187.- gross salary for 37,5 hours per week, 14 times a year, i.e. EUR 44,618.- pa.
If we have aroused your interest, we look forward to receiving your detailed application
by 30. September 2025.
Please note that applications can only be submitted via the NHM application portal at https://jobs.nhm.at/
Your contact person for further questions: Burger-Koch Sabine