Jobs - Museum Curator
Museum Curator and taxonomist
Para La Tierra has a large natural history collection, which comprises entomological, mammalogical, herpetological, ichthyological, ornithological and botanical specimens. The Museum Curator is tasked with the management of the collection and ensuring that it remains a valuable reference for the fauna and flora of Paraguay, nationally and internationally.
The role of the Museum Curator is to ensure the long-term preservation and good maintenance of the Colección Científica Para La Tierra, housed in Pilar. In addition, they are responsible for overseeing the collection efforts and addition of new material; corresponding with other researchers/institutions especially for specimen requests and ID help; managing the laboratory and all scientific equipment; and carrying out independent museum-based research projects that contribute to the strategic aims of Para La Tierra. There is significant potential to enhance existing projects, as well as develop new ones, and to succeed you’ll need to be flexible, creative and entrepreneurial in this dynamic environment.
You’ll make a life changing step to the charismatic city of Pilar in southern Paraguay and join our team living at Centro IDEAL (Investigación, Desarrollo, Educación Ambiental y Liderazgo.
Candidate profile
We’re looking for a skilled and meticulous organizer who pays great attention to detail, with experience of working with museum collections. You will have experience of preparing specimens for taxonomic study or for natural history collections, as well as a university level degree in a relevant subject.
Required skills and experience
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, in a tidy, logical and systematic order
Be capable of handling live specimens compassionately, adhering to the highest standards of animal welfare
Previous experience in working within a natural history museum environment
Experience working in or managing a lab
Experience with scientific writing
Knowledge of taxonomic order and species found in Paraguay
Experience of working on field sites and collecting specimens
Photography and microscopy skills
Fluency in English and Spanish is required
Educated to post-graduate degree level
Driving license with 4x4/off-road experience
Competent in use of Microsoft Office, Lightroom/Photoshop, and ideally museum database software
Key responsibilities
Management of the collection:
Regular inspections and treatment for signs of infestation
Maintaining spirit in wet collections
Management of cold storage tissue samples.
Follow protocols for museum maintenance and specimen preparation that ensures that the standard and quality of the collection is of an
international level (including maintaining a controlled environment and dealing with infestations, fungus outbreaks), and supervise others in these tasks.
Curate the collection of physical specimens in taxonomic order.
Deal with specimen (or data) requests and correspond with other researchers/research institutions.
Carry out an independent research project that makes use of the collection.
Accurate record keeping of collection:
Maintaining electronic databases including regularly backing up all PLT data
Photographing all specimens housed in the collection and organizing photographic databases
Organization of museum library and e-library
Collection and preparation of new specimens, and supervision of others in these tasks:
Collect physical material via approved techniques such as pitfall trapping, insect lights/traps etc.
Dispatch live specimens
Prepare specimens appropriately i.e. skins, skulls, tissue, pinning, etc.
Cataloguing new specimens and adding all information to the relevant databases.
Supervising interns and volunteers:
Training and supervising interns that are working within the collection and with specimens
Training and supervising interns that are working within the Laboratory
Contribute to the engagement of PLT volunteers and interns in an academic and challenging culture
Running lab and museum inductions for all new site visitors, volunteers and interns
Other:
Contribute to furthering PLTs mission wherever possible, including using non-science skills to assist in project development.
Collaborating with the PLT team to provide educational materials, including presentations, for university groups, online courses, or other requirements
Training of Paraguayan and international students
Providing museum tours to visiting scientists, tourists, and other groups
Assisting with other PLT projects where requested by the directive team
Produce one blog post per month about what is happening in the museum and provide regular updates to the marketing officer for social media.
When necessary, to fulfil domestic responsibilities including but not limited to cooking meals, cleaning dishes, shopping, coordinating recreational activities, and managing PLT home projects
Conditions
Full time, permanent live-in, paid position with no expenses (full bed and board provided), and six weeks paid holiday, plus National vacation days. Contract length is 18 months fixed term following a six month probation period. You must be prepared to apply for legal residence and a biologists licence in Paraguay within the first month, the cost of which will be reimbursed by PLT upon completion of your contract.
The post is compensated at a rate of $510/month for the first six months and $560/month for the following 12 months. With almost no living costs, our staff are able to save much of what they earn.
Apply today
To apply, please send your CV, a cover letter, two professional or academic references and one character reference to paralatierra.py@gmail.com. The recruitment process will also include a zoom interview. At present we can only consider Paraguayan or UK nationals.