Research Specialist Ii

Description:

This position is under Malacology in the Department of Natural Sciences. Under the direction of the Malacology Curator, the Research Specialist’s primary responsibilities are performance of tasks associated with collection-based research, involving housing, databasing, digitizing, and accessibility upgrades to the Bishop Museum Malacology collection. Additionally, a Research Specialist II will be involved in field-based activities that help grow the collection and inform management activities for state and private partners working with the Bishop Museum. The Research Specialist will work with the Malacology Curator and Collections Manager to supervise assistants, technicians, volunteers, visitors, and interns in Malacology, and work to complete the research and collections-based objectives for grants and other curatorial tasks as needed. They may also be asked to work with exhibits and public programs in sharing the outputs of work done in Malacology and the Museum broadly.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Participates and organizes collection-based research within area of specialization to improve and enhance the collections and knowledge derived from them; assists in general oversight of research activities and in some cases may help with collection management procedures (loan processing, accessions, cataloging, etc.); analyzes specimens and provides identifications within specialized scientific discipline.

• Assists in field-based activities to collect and study malacology specimens to inform curation, taxonomy, and conservation of natural resources with museum partners. As part of these duties, specialist II may be involved in designing, coordinating and carrying out field studies, surveys and expeditions related to specific research programs and activities.

• Works safely so as not to endanger fellow staff members, volunteers and visitors. Complies with safety rules and regulations and establishes safe work practices. Reads and understands all safety materials received, seeking clarification as needed. Promptly reports unsafe conditions and unsafe acts or accidents to appropriate individual. Maintains assigned work area and equipment free of accident producing conditions.

• Participates in general departmental operational planning, which includes planning and development of immediate and long-term project goals and objectives within specific field of study.

• Supervises and assists other personnel engaged in professional and technical activities, as appropriate.

• Participates and in some cases leads original research related to Museum collections within specialized scientific discipline.

• Assist with research activities in PCMB related to the objectives of Malacology collections-based research, including DNA extraction, barcoding, genomics, and databasing biobanked materials.

• Maintains affiliations in scholarly and professional organizations through service (e.g., committees, councils, editorial review boards, funding review panels) and participation (e.g. attendance, panel discussions, etc.), including presentation of papers at regional, national or international meetings, symposia, and workshops which enhances their development as a Museum scientific professional

• Serves the Museum’s public programs goals of collections-based education through planned participation in leading lectures, workshops, field trips, docent training, exhibit planning and through provision of technical information and assistance to Museum and clients.

• Performs other duties as requested to accomplish the Museum’s broader mission.

Qualifications

• MA/MS degree (in biology, museum studies or related field preferred) OR BA/BS AND up to 3 years of experience in field, lab, or related science/museum work.

• Must have at least one year of experience in a museum collection setting working with a variety of equipment, including microscopes and digital cameras.

• Working knowledge of basic molecular based approaches to taxonomy and biodiversity studies including PCR, electrophoresis, Sanger Sequencing, and genomics.

• This position requires broad malacological knowledge, (i.e. terrestrial mollusc ecology and molluscan anatomy) and overall knowledge of Hawaiian land snail families including invasive species.

• At least one year of experience with Hawaiian land snail taxonomy, ecology, and/or captive rearing.

• Must be willing and able to complete Helicopter and field safety training.

• Must be familiar with MS Word, Excel, Access.