Assistant Research Scientist, Vertebrate Curator
Illinois Natural History Survey
Prairie Research Institute
The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS), a leader in investigating and preserving biological resources in Illinois and beyond, is seeking a Vertebrate Curator to administer research activities of the Survey by developing, planning, directing, and conducting an independent program of basic and applied research in Ichthyology. Oversee curation of the Survey’s Collection, incorporating current technologies and best practices for collection curation, identification, and scientific discovery. Lead collection enhancement efforts, digitization, and data integration while complying with national and international collection standards.
This in-person position is located in Champaign, Illinois, on the University of Illinois Campus.
The Prairie Research Institute (PRI), a research and service institute of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis, houses five State Scientific Surveys covering a wide range of expertise, including biology, water resources, climate, geology, sustainable technology, and archaeology. PRI’s mission is to provide objective, integrated scientific research and services that allow citizens and decision-makers to make choices that ensure sustainable economic development, enduring environmental quality, and cultural resource preservation for the people, businesses, and across Illinois, the nation, and the world. Learn more at https://go.illinois.edu/PRIjobs.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Serve as Principal Investigator (PI) leading an independent research program focused on fish.
- Identify relevant research needs and project opportunities to enhance the Ichthyology Collection and its applications.
- Develop and contribute to proposals for external funding to support collection-based research, including innovative applications of digital databases, imaging technologies, and collection integration.
- Publish original research in peer-reviewed scientific journals and contribute to collection-based knowledge dissemination.
- Prepare internal reports and reports for sponsoring agencies and stakeholders.
- Curate, manage, and expand the Survey’s Ichthyology Collection, ensuring preservation, data integrity, and accessibility.
- Implement taxonomic updates and improve storage conditions for fluid-preserved fish specimens.
- Approve loans, specimen transfers, and data requests while ensuring adherence to international collection policies and best practices.
- Develop and oversee digitization initiatives to enhance data accessibility through platforms like iDigBio and GBIF.
- Lead grant-funded projects for collection improvement, infrastructure enhancement, and archival data standardization.
- Serve as a member of the Survey’s Collections Committee and contribute to the institutional collection policy.
- Manage budgets related to grant-funded projects and collection maintenance.
- Conduct outreach activities highlighting the significance of the Ichthyology Collection to research, education, and conservation.
- Engage with professional societies such as the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) to promote best practices in ichthyological curation.
- Represent the Survey at scientific meetings, workshops, and symposia, contributing expertise on fluid collections and ichthyology.
- Provide timely, authoritative information to stakeholders, including government agencies, researchers, and the public.
- Participate in educational initiatives such as museum studies collaborations, student mentorship, and training workshops on specimen preservation.
- Supervise, mentor, and advise undergraduate and graduate students in ichthyology and collection management.
- Supervise and lead staff to achieve success and foster a culture of innovation and high-level performance at both individual and organizational levels. This includes task assignment, scheduling, ongoing performance management with coaching and feedback, career development planning, lease/travel approval, as well as conducting annual performance reviews.
- Serve on graduate advisory committees and assist in training students in natural history collection methodologies.
- Develop educational modules and guest lectures on ichthyology, biodiversity, and museum curation practices.
- Perform additional duties to further the mission and goals of the INHS, PRI, and the University of Illinois.
- Keep abreast of emerging trends in ichthyology and collection management.
Minimum Qualifications
Ph.D. in ichthyology, zoology, organismal biology, or a related field. Alternate degree fields may be considered depending on the nature and depth of experience as it relates to this role. Experience in ichthyological collection curation, management, and research. Experience with fluid-preserved collections and best practices for their long-term maintenance. Familiarity with natural history collection database standards such as Darwin Core, FileMaker Pro, and collection digitization efforts. Valid Driver’s License.
Preferred Qualifications
Strong professional experience in fluid-based museum collection management within a university setting. Track record of collection-based research and publications in systematics, taxonomy, biodiversity, and population biology. Expertise in integrating orphaned collections into established databases and repositories. Experience in the application of advanced imaging technologies and georeferencing in specimen curation. Extensive background in fluid preservation techniques, ensuring long-term specimen viability and adherence to national and international museum standards. Experience conducting taxonomic revisions and systematics research, integrating morphological and molecular data for species identification and classification. Experience leading collection-based biodiversity studies, particularly in digitizing and integrating historic and newly acquired ichthyological collections into modern databases. Training in chemical safety and regulatory compliance for the long-term preservation of fluid collections. Completed professional workshops and certifications in biodiversity collection management, fluid preservation, and digital repository integration. Relevant training in strategic planning for biological collections, standards, and best practices for fluid-preserved specimens, digital imaging, and taxonomic databasing, and compliance with data-sharing standards. Additional specialized training in chemical safety, museum workplace compliance, and invasive species identification within the context of ichthyological research and conservation.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Must have a strong knowledge of freshwater fishes, particularly in Illinois. Specialization in natural history curation and museum science, with formal training in fluid-preserved ichthyological collections. Coursework or research in taxonomic databasing, archival data standardization, and best practices for integrating historic and orphaned collections into modern repositories. Background in applying molecular techniques alongside traditional morphological approaches for species identification and classification. Knowledge of international specimen shipping regulations, import/export requirements, and data-sharing protocols. Effective communication, leadership, teamwork, and organizational skills. Ability to manage and oversee fluid-preserved collections, including chemical safety and long-term preservation techniques. Proficiency in software and databases commonly used in natural history collections, such as Specify, Arctos, or Symbiota. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced research and academic environment, balancing multiple priorities and deadlines. Knowledge of and compliance with national and international policies regarding specimen collections.
Environmental Demands
May require working in adverse field conditions (heat, humidity, aquatic environments, biting insects, etc.). The job requires routine overnight travel (including driving) throughout Illinois and occasional travel to national and international conferences. Fieldwork may involve lifting and carrying equipment weighing up to 40 pounds. Work includes extended periods in laboratory settings, handling fluid-preserved specimens. Overnight travel may be necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this position.
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position. The starting salary is $86,000 and is commensurate with education, experience, and skill, while also considering internal equity. The start date is negotiable.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on September 29, 2025. Apply for this position at https://illinois.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/15257?c=illinois by using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of the posting. Applications not submitted through this website will not be considered. Application materials must include a 1) cover letter that clearly outlines your qualifications and experience as it relates to this position, 2) a CV or resume, and 3) names and contact information (including email addresses) for three professional references. Incomplete applications will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Amber Hall at amberh@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.