Division of Fossil Primates – Curator

To apply, please send CV and cover email to application email (above).

Reports to: Director of Duke Lemur Center (DLC)

Collaborates with: External and internal students and researchers; DLC Managers and support personnel; DLC Education Manager; DLC Advancement Officer; Members of the primate paleontological and broader academic community

Supervises: Fossil Division staff, students, researchers, and volunteers

BASIC FUNCTION: The position will report directly to the Director of the DLC. The person occupying the position is expected to function at a high academic level, maintaining an active research program and building the scientific reputation of the DFP. The position oversees the acquisition, care, cataloguing, maintenance, and availability for academic study of all the fossil collections of the Duke Lemur Center. The position requires a trained paleontologist who is skilled in research, publication, and grant writing activities. Must perform all scientific and collections oversight activities with independence.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Will act as the Director of the DFP to oversee the planning, organization, and implementation of acquisition, storage, and academic access to collections.
2. Assist Director of the DLC with implementation of Fossil Division’s identity as a significant resource in paleontological and primatological research, and education.
3. Develop, implement and maintain an integrated computer database to catalog specimens; manage an accurate record keeping system and track loans. Maintain active specimen oversight through database management and routine physical inspection of specimens and curation. Create searchable online database, linking database with collaborative community efforts such as the iDigBio, GBIF and MorphoSource (requires understanding of Darwin Core format).
4. Build collections and grow collegial relationships within the paleontological and broader academic communities via independent paleontological fieldwork and collections enhancement; Communicate mission of the collection broadly, both with the public and with academic institutions. Develop independent research projects appropriate to the strengths of the collection (e.g., early primate evolution; subfossil lemurs of Madagascar)
5. Build professional relationships with academic groups locally (e.g., within the Duke community; with other local universities), nationally (academic, research, and not-for-profit institutions outside of North Carolina) and internationally (academic, research, and not-for-profit institutions outside of the USA). Maintain active membership in the Society for Vertebrate Paleontology and other professional societies.
6. Publish results based on research activities related to the collections in a timely manner; publish original research in high-impact academic journals
7. Specimen loan oversight: develop and oversee procedures for loans of specimens to appropriate academic collaborators, consistent with disciplinary standards commensurate with those of the American Association of Museums (AAM). Maintain strict records of loan agreements including the location and duration of loans. Actively seek return of loaned specimens after specified research period has expired.
8. Develop online educational and research tools.
9. Demonstrate knowledge of and implement University-wide and Center emergency procedures as needed. Ensure compliance with all University policies and procedures.
10. Oversee routine collection maintenance activities including regular examinations of specimens and equipment. Report maintenance needs, and perform routine maintenance tasks as needed.
11. Write grants to provide funding for development of collection, collection database, equipment, physical curation and housing, and for the creation of online public programs.
12. Develop and administer annual budget.
13. Potential for academic affiliation through Department of Evolutionary Anthropology and associated opportunities for teaching and graduate mentoring.
14. Train and direct work of interns, students, and full-time staff support personnel.
15. Other duties as assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS:
• Ph.D. degree in relevant paleontological or related field; expertise in primate evolution is required.
• Demonstrated record in collections-based research and collections oversight
• Demonstration of successful scientific publication and grant writing.
• Membership in the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology desirable.
• Experience with computer-based data management
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to interact in a courteous and professional manner. Ability to maintain good working relationships with staff at all levels, internal and external to the Lemur Center. Communicate effectively and promptly with co-workers, managers, and researchers, following appropriate communication channels.
• Proficiency in learning and integrating information, knowledge, and direction quickly, and completing tasks as needed.
• Good decision-making skills. Ability to integrate and apply knowledge and prior experiences to affect or implement changes and make sound independent judgments where appropriate.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to serve in a leadership role in directing the management and operations within assigned area. Ability to ensure short-term goals are developed and achieved, and that midterm and longer term goals continue to progress. Demonstrated capacity to guide the professional development of student investigators and pertinent professional staff.
• Must represent the Lemur Center and Duke University in a professional manner at all times.
• Excellent time management skills. Must demonstrate flexibility, creativity, and responsibility in use of time.
• Must be reliable, trustworthy, and possess the ability to respond to emergencies when needed.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality with regard to personnel matters and other privileged information.