[NHCOLL-L:1664] Job Posting, MSU Herbarium

[Alan Prather]

Assistant Curator, Michigan State University Herbarium

The MSU Herbarium seeks a second, full-time Assistant Curator to manage our
vascular plant collection. The successful applicant will report to the
Director, and will work closely with the current Assistant Curator, who
manages our non-vascular collections. The MSU Herbarium is a very active
collection of nearly 500,000 specimens, with several associated faculty,
many graduate students, and active loan and exchange programs. Our
herbarium and systematics programs are growing rapidly, and thus, we are
searching for an energetic, dynamic, independent, person who can actively
contribute. 

Curatorial duties for the vascular plant collection (day to day operation
of MSU Herbarium), include, but are not are limited to:
"	Managing incoming and outgoing loans. 
"	Managing museum exchange. 
"	Overseeing preservation, filing, and curation of specimens.
"	Aiding MSU researchers in plant identification.
"	Overseeing the Herbarium Library

Outreach/public education:
"	Orient visiting scholars. 
"	Handle phone, and in-person queries for plant data (e.g. common and
scientific names, toxicity, geographic origin, etc).
"	Identify plants for other MSU programs or the public. 
"	Give (infrequent) tours of the herbarium to students or to the public. 
"	Provide material for the MSU Herbarium website. 

Databasing projects:
"	Help the staff identify databasing priorities and develop plans to
achieve databasing goals, including hardware and software choices. 
"	Assist in databasing specimens.
"	Assist in providing access to our database online. 

Salary range begins at $35,000/yr, and a higher base is possible for
someone with experience. Full benefits are provided. The position is fully
funded for 3 years. Renewal beyond the three year trail phase is dependent
on overall program development.   

Qualifications:
A masters degree in plant systematics or a related field, or a bachelors
degree in botany or a related field and 3 yr experience in herbarium
environment.
Experience in identifying vascular plants. 
Knowledge of databasing techniques, especially software and web interfaces. 

Applicants should submit the following materials by email, fax, or mail: A
CV or resume, the names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers of
three referees, and a brief cover letter discussing their interest in the
job and long-term career goals. Review of applications will begin 5 August
2002 and will continue until the position is filled. 

MSU is an equal opportunity employer. 

Applicants are encouraged to contact the Director with any questions about
the position or the program: Dr. Alan Prather, alan at msu.edu, ph.
517-355-4695, fax 517-353-1926, MSU Herbarium, Department of Plant Biology,
166 Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1312. 



Alan Prather
166 Plant Biology, Wilson Road
Plant Biology
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1312

(517) 355-4695
fax (517) 353-1926

alan at msu.edu
http://www.bpp.msu.edu/herbarium/prather.html