Our Mission: Since the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, our organization has aimed to connect people to the natural environment and human history.

The Field Museum invites applications for an Assistant Curator of Pteridophytes and Conservation Ecologist. We seek PhD-level candidates demonstrating excellence in collections-based research and applied conservation. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a robust externally-funded research and conservation program, curate and contribute to management and oversight of the Museum's pteridophyte and lycophyte collection, lead collaborative surveys of remote areas, provide social and biological information to decision-makers to help establish effective conservation areas, pursue opportunities in education, outreach, and professional service, and contribute to the Museum's administration and public programs.

The Field Museum's Searle Herbarium is the fifth largest in the Western Hemisphere and houses over 3 million specimens, including nearly 40,000 types. Our collections are particularly strong in tropical Central and South America. The fern and lycopod collection is the fourth largest in the U.S.A., with over 110,000 specimens including almost 1,000 types. The entire collection has been digitized through our participation in the Pteridological Collections Consortium, an NSF-funded initiative to database and image over 1.76 million herbarium and fossil pteridophyte specimens and produce an unprecedented online digital resource for studies of vascular plant evolution. In addition, the Museum has core facilities for molecular/genetic labwork, SEM and light microscopy, and high-performance computing. The Museum has decades of experience translating science into conservation and quality of life results on the ground in the Andes Amazon and Guiana Shield region of South America, as well as the greater Chicago area. Close relationships with universities provide abundant opportunities for undergraduate and graduate training, and the use of specialized laboratories.

This is a full-time (10-month) position with a joint appointment in the Negaunee Integrative Center and the Keller Science Action Center. The renewal schedule is 3 + 3 years; after successful promotion to the Associate level, it is renewable every 7 years, according to the Field Museum’s Policy Statement on the Curatorial Ranks, with considerations of conservation impact.

Applications must include the following:

1. A Curriculum Vitae
2. A statement of research interests and career objectives
3. A statement describing experience in and/or vision for increasing diversity and inclusion in a museum setting
4. Contact information for three letters of recommendation (solicited for shortlisted candidates only)
5. Copies of up to five relevant publications.

Submit all materials in PDF format. To apply and for inquiries, please email: pteridophytesearch@fieldmuseum.org.

Review of complete applications will start September 30, 2024. The earliest start date will be on January 13, 2025.

The Field Museum is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination, embracing diversity, and fostering mutual respect. We value the unique perspectives each team member brings, which empowers our ability to innovate and overcome challenges.

At the Field Museum, we are dedicated to making our career website and recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you encounter any difficulty when using or accessing our online application, or if you need a reasonable accommodation for completing your application, participating in interviews, or any other part of the selection process, please reach out to us at accessibility@fieldmuseum.org.