The California Academy of Sciences is hiring an Assistant Curator of Botany About the Opportunity: Do you have a passion for herbaria and collections-based research? Are you interested in joining a team of scientists at a world-renowned Natural History Collection working broadly in the field of biodiversity science? The California Academy of Sciences is seeking candidates for the position of Assistant Curator of Botany. We are looking for individuals who specialize in vascular plants of the western hemisphere (especially those relating to Mexico, Central and/or South America) and/or eastern hemisphere (especially Asia), examining a wide range of topics including their evolution, diversity, and classification. Candidates who will work with our extensive collections, as well as contribute to the strategic growth of our collection, will be especially welcome. Finally, we seek candidates passionate about science communication, engagement with broad audiences, and an interest in fostering and diversifying the next generation of botanists. Organizational Culture: Join a team dedicated to the Academy's mission, vision and values. Currently, the Academy has a new strategic plan that leverages biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission of regenerating the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. This position is based in San Francisco, California. When not conducting fieldwork or attending other research needs, curators are expected to be onsite, where they can leverage the research collections, lab facilities, and the Academy community. Please do not apply if you are not able to work onsite. Candidates are required to have up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment, absent qualifying exemptions in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals receiving a conditional offer of employment from the California Academy of Sciences will be provided the full text of the vaccination policy. About the Botany Team: The new curator will join a friendly and enthusiastic group of botanists working to steward a collection of nearly 2.3 million specimens and investigate plant biodiversity around the world - and we all love plants! The Botany Department is part of the Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability (IBSS), home to 12 additional departments/cores, their associated collections, scientific and professional staff and students. Jointly, we comprise the research division at the California Academy of Sciences. Together we work to discover, explore, and celebrate biodiversity and its evolution on our changing planet. This collective knowledge provides the foundation for preserving and regenerating life on Earth. Key Responsibilities: - Plans and executes original research resulting in peer-reviewed scientific publications and presentations. - Plans, directs, and participates in scientific exploration including expeditions, experimental work and collaborative research as appropriate, to advance knowledge, facilitate specimen collection, conserve biodiversity and address other global issues such as climate change. - Advances the strategic growth, improvement, and mobilization of the herbarium and its collection, working closely with the Collection Manager and other Botany Curators. - Seeks extramural funding and grants to support research activities. - Participates in collaborative efforts to maintain, improve, and increase access to Academy scientific collections, including digitization and imaging initiatives. - Actively trains and mentors the next generation of scientists using innovative and inspirational science communication and experiences, including supervision of postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and undergraduates. - Dedicated to training scientists, building capacity in under-resourced communities and countries, and to increasing participation of groups historically underrepresented in botany. - Participates in a spectrum of activities that engage diverse audiences in the excitement, process and importance of scientific discovery ??" e.g., participation in the development of exhibitions; presentations to non-science audiences; community science programs; mentoring of youth; participation in Academy education and outreach programs; maintenance of a creative portfolio of social media activities designed to convey scientific discoveries. - Works closely with Academy marketing staff to leverage scientific discoveries into popular media and to elevate the visibility and impact of the Academy's research activities. - Collaborates with the Academy's Development team and the Dean of Science and Research Collections in fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship of donors. Qualifications: A successful candidate will have the following: - Ph.D. in Botany, Biology, Evolutionary Biology or other relevant discipline required; postdoctoral experience highly preferred - Experience working in herbaria and with natural history collections - Experience managing research programs, projects, and budgets - Enthusiastic approach to research, education, and outreach, conservation and sustainability - Proven track record of publishing original research and obtaining external funding - Demonstrated ability to articulate the relevance and importance of one's scientific work to various audiences. - Ability to work in a collaborative environment Physical Environment: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear. Must be able to lift 40 lbs. Must be able to perform repetitive motions 40% of the time. Schedule: Full Time, 40 hours per week Compensation: Compensation for this role starts at $125,000 Application Instructions: To apply, please visit https://us242.dayforcehcm.com/CandidatePortal/en-US/cas/Posting/View/1287 You will be asked to answer a few short questions, as well as upload the requested application materials, outlined below. (1) Current CV. (2) Statement of research interests (max 2 pages) making sure to address current accomplishments, short term (2 year) and medium term (5 year) research goals. In addition, please connect your collections- based research to the mission of IBSS: "We discover, explore, and celebrate biodiversity and its evolution, providing the foundation for preserving and regenerating life on our changing planet". (3) Statement addressing herbaria of the future and their role in biodiversity science (max 2 pages). Make sure to discuss your views on the maintenance, strategic growth, and relevance of collections into the future. (4) Example of scientific publications most relevant to this position (up to 3 published papers). (5) Example of scientific communications to broad, non-technical audiences (up to 3 examples - e.g. blog posts and/or social media posts, short videos, interviews, publications in popular media, etc. Please submit as short narratives with any links available.) Contact Botany Curator Sarah Jacobs with questions at sjacobs@calacademy.org APPLICATION DEADLINE: This position will close on December 1, 2024 at 11:59pm. Review of applications will begin on December 2, 2024. The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49). We are committed to ensuring that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers, promotions, compensation, benefits, terminations, training, and social and recreational programs, will be on the basis of qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled. The Academy does not discriminate against qualified applicants or employees with respect to any terms or conditions of employment on account of any characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance. Read our full Equal Opportunity Statement here. -- *Sarah J. Jacobs, Ph.D.* Assistant Curator of Botany Howell Chair of Western North American Botany California Academy of Sciences sjacobs@calacademy.org 55 Music Concourse Drive Golden Gate Park San Francisco, CA 94118 www.calacademy.org Facebook | Twitter | Instagram We regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. Learn more at calacademy.org . sjacobs@calacademy.org (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)