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Collections Manager - Entomology and Plant Pathology
Job Description
Posting Number
PG193299EPInternal Recruitment
NoWorking Title
Collections Manager - Entomology and Plant PathologyAnticipated Hiring Range
Commensurate with ExperienceWork Schedule
Monday-Friday, 8am-5pmJob Location
Raleigh, NCDepartment
Entomology and Plant PathologyAbout the Department
As part of the Land Grant University, the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University is composed of over 40 faculty that direct a diverse portfolio of programs in teaching, research, and extension. Collectively, these strengths not only serve our clientele and our science but also provide a rich environment for graduate education and training that can be tailored to the specific career interests of the student, irrespective of whether they prefer training in the basic sciences or are preparing for a career in extension. Our education and research programs provide graduate and undergraduate students with unique hands-on learning opportunities using the latest technologies. Entomology and Plant Pathology houses the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic, the Larry Grand Mycological Herbarium, Micropropagation and Repository Unit, Structural Pest Management Training Facility, an Insect Museum with 1.9 million vouchered insects, and the Center for Integrated Fungal Research.
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences houses 12 Academic departments with 294 faculty, 2,891 undergraduate students and 899 graduate students. The College is home to 18 research stations strategically located across the state that enhances our interactions with our farmers, stakeholders, and industry partners. Our strategic plan, Growing Our Future 2023-2030 is accessible here https://units.cals.ncsu.edu/cals-strategic-plan/.
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences houses 12 Academic departments with 294 faculty, 2,891 undergraduate students and 899 graduate students. The College is home to 18 research stations strategically located across the state that enhances our interactions with our farmers, stakeholders, and industry partners. Our strategic plan, Growing Our Future 2023-2030 is accessible here https://units.cals.ncsu.edu/cals-strategic-plan/.
Essential Job Duties
The Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at North Carolina State University (NCSU) seeks a Collections manager for the NCSU Insect Museum. This is a full-time, research staff level position with benefits. The position reports to the faculty Director of the museum and has a desired state date of August 2024.
The NCSU Insect Museum is a collection of insects and other arthropods located on the university’s main campus in Raleigh, NC, USA, and contributes to all major initiatives within the land grant university system. The nearly 2 million curated specimens are consistently used for 1) education of undergraduate and graduate-level students from NCSU and neighboring institutions, 2) innovative research on insect morphology, taxonomy, systematics, natural history, ecology, and evolution, and 3) extension, as both a reference for diagnostics and a voucher repository. The museum serves the broader scientific community as well as the faculty and students at NC State University.
The NCSU Insect Museum has a rich history as a center for research and training of insect systematists. The strengths of the collection are in Hemiptera (namely Cicadellidae, Aphididae, Membracidae, and Reduviidae), Hymenoptera (Apidae), Diptera, Coleoptera, and Collembola. The collection serves as the state collection for North Carolina and is one of the most significant collections in the region. Future goals include building upon existing strengths while targeting candidate areas for expansion.
This position has the following specific responsibilities in addition to performing the day-to-day duties required of an actively used and growing insect collection:
This position has the following specific responsibilities in addition to performing the day-to-day duties required of an actively used and growing insect collection:
- Specimen curation: the acquisition, processing, accession, and integration of new material to the NCSU Insect Museum.
- Collection maintenance: the upkeep of existing specimens and associated data housed in the NCSU Insect Museum, loan processing, hosting visiting scientists, correspondence concerning data/specimen requests, and ordering supplies.
- Digital records: contribute to the expansion and maintenance of the digital extended specimen through databasing efforts (platform used is TaxonWorks), and consistent contributions to data aggregators (i.e. GBIF).
- Recruit, train, and supervise part-time technicians and student workers to assist in implementing collection operations and initiatives.
- Manage a department-wide insect teaching collection used by the Entomology and Plant Pathology faculty in various courses.
- Assist the Director in identifying and securing support for collection development activities, and in establishing policies affecting collection operations and development.
- Promote collection development through the conduct of independent and collaborative collection-based research in arthropod faunistics and systematics.
- Enhance collection development, usage, and visibility through the development and maintenance of relationships with arthropod systematists and biologists, both internal and external to the department and university system.
- Continue professional development and maintain knowledge of contemporary best-practices for insect research collections through active participation in appropriate professional organizations, meetings, and related activities.
Other Responsibilities
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Education and Experience
- Graduation from a four-year college or university with a major in an area related to the area of assignment and one year of experience, which demonstrates the attainment of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities; or equivalent combination of training and experience.
Other Required Qualifications
- Experience with various insect specimen curation methods; demonstrated proficiency in specimen and label preparation for dry (pinned/envelopes), wet (both traditional and cryobank), and slide collections.
- Experience with insect identification; experience using diagnostic tools to authoritatively identify insect specimens.
Preferred Qualifications
- A Ph.D. in Entomology, Biology, or related field with a research focus on insect diagnostics, taxonomy, systematics, evolution, or natural history. Early career professionals are encouraged to apply and those applicants that are nearing completion of their degree may be considered, pending the completion of their degree prior to the agreed upon start date.
- Prior experience with collection management best practices.
- Exposure to relational database platforms (Specify, Arctos, TaxonWorks, Emu, etc.) and their application to insect collection management practices.
- Experience and the desire to contribute to the teaching of Entomology courses at NC State University, specifically Insect Biodiversity/General Entomology labs/lectures surrounding the diversity and taxonomy of insects.
Required License(s) or Certification(s)
N/A
Valid NC Driver's License required
NoCommercial Driver's License required
NoJob Open Date
03/22/2024Special Instructions to Applicants
In addition to your application, applicants should submit the following: Cover Letter, CV/Resume, and contact iInformation for three (3) professional references.
Position Number
00042002Position Type
EHRA Non-FacultyFull Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)
1.00Appointment
12 Month RecurringMandatory Designation - Adverse Weather
Non Mandatory - Adverse WeatherMandatory Designation - Emergency Events
Mandatory - Medical EmergenciesDepartment ID
111801 - Entomology and Plant PathologyAA/EEO
NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-515-3148 to speak with a representative at the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
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