Samlingsmedarbejder i vertebrat zoologi til Statens Naturhistoriske Museum/Collections Manager in vertebrate zoology at the Natural History Museum of Denmark

The Natural History Museum of Denmark (NHMD), University of Copenhagen, is offering a permanent fulltime position for a Collections Manager, starting April 1, 2024 or as soon thereafter as possible. The candidate will be part of a diverse Collection Management Team across the museum and will refer to the head of the Zoological Collection Unit.

The successful candidate will care for relevant parts of the vertebrate collections at NHMD on a day-to day basis. This includes the physical care, maintenance, preservation, and security of the collections.

Ideal candidates will share a passion for nature, and the long-term preservation of natural history collections.

We are particularly in need of assistance with our fish collection, which is of worldwide importance, but the successful candidate will be expected to work across all vertebrate collections.

Due to the current high-profile museum project (see below and https://nyt.snm.ku.dk/english/ ), the successful candidate is also expected to dedicate time to help in the development of current and upcoming major public exhibitions as well as participating in the the planning and implementing of an upcoming major move of all collections to new state-of-the-art collections facilities.

We welcome applicants with various educational and practical backgrounds, be it technical or scientific, but please note that the position does not include opportunities for research.

Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:

• Physical care, maintenance, preservation, and security of the collections.
• Improving and updating the physical organization of specimen collections.
• Processing incoming and outgoing specimens and/or materials, including donations, exchanges and loans, with appropriate permits and documentation.
• Documenting the collection through digitization (registrations and imaging), including entering and updating database records in the collection management system (Specify Database ).
• Allocating 20% of the working week to assist in planning and overseeing digitization of collections within the DaSSCo project .
• Staying current in modern techniques in collections maintenance and database management.
• Working cooperatively with other collection management and museum staff, including curators, to achieve the highest level of collection care and productivity across organizational units.
• Provide service to scientific guests and supervise and train visitors, students and volunteers.
• Selection of archival materials to improve specimen storage conditions.

Desirable qualifications and skills:

• Knowledge of biology equivalent to a Master’s degree in biology, natural history conservation (conservator) or a comparable field.  Other relevant expertise and knowledge about nature and natural history collections will also be a relevant background.
• Work experience involving day-to-day management of natural history or other biological collections.
• Working knowledge of vertebrate taxonomy, systematics, and natural history.
• Experience with and interest for field work and vertebrate specimen preparation.
• Ability to work effectively independently as well as collaboratively.
• Ability to learn and develop new skills related to specimen and data management.
• Good communication skills.
• Experience working with databases and good computer skills.
• An understanding of relevant international compliance procedures regarding import, export, and shipping of scientific specimens.
• Good physique, since work includes lifting and carrying collections objects and regularly working on small ladders.
• Fluency in English (spoken and/or written), or expectation to learn English as a working language.
• Fluency in Danish (spoken and/or written), or expectation to take Danish lessons to reach  a working language level.
• Driver’s license.
  

About the Natural History Museum of Denmark

Natural history museums have never been more important. The impact of climate change and anthropogenic forces on biodiversity has reached a critical point. We need action to build a more sustainable relationship with nature. The Natural History Museum of Denmark is the national museum for nature. We work to empower citizens to connect with nature with the aim to create positive change for life on Earth. We want to inspire, engage and enable people to enjoy, understand, and care for the diversity of the natural world.

We are currently building a new Danish national museum for nature. One big museum site, in the Botanical Garden, in the centre of Copenhagen, will host state-of-the-art laboratories, outstanding research collections, new public galleries, and combined facilities for programming, education, and citizen science. Over the next few years, the museum aims to change the way people think about and use natural history museums.

The Zoological collections contain approximately 10 million specimens from all over the World and collected over a time span of 400 years . The zoological collections are divided into vertebrates, invertebrates and entomology. The vertebrate collections comprises over 750,000 specimens, of which 500,000 are fish specimens, and holds about one third of the 35,000 known species of fishes. More information about the fish collection can be found here .

Additional information

More information about the position can be obtained from Head of the Zoological Collection Unit, Laura Pavesi ([email protected]), phone +45 35321179.

More general information about the Natural History Museum of Denmark is available from our website www.snm.ku.dk .

Terms of salary and employment

For candidates  with an academic degree the employment and salary is made in accordance with the Circular on the Collective Agreement concerning academics in the state sector concluded between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Employment will be as academic officer. Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

For candidates without an academic degree the employment is made in accordance with the Collective Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Organisations of Public Employees – governmental institutions (the OAO-S collective agreement) and the Professional Agreement for clerical employees, laboratory technicians and IT-officers in the state.

The working time are 37 hours per week on average. The working hours are flexible.

Applications

Applications should be written in English and submitted electronically with a CV, a letter of motivation, plus documentation for education and eventually letters of reference by clicking APPLY NOW below. The application should be submitted no later than February 18, 2024 23:59 GMT +1. Only electronic applications are accepted.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender or personal background.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.