The Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida (UF) seeks applicants for a full-time Registrar within the Department of Natural History. The Registrar oversees the technical and regulatory aspects of collection accessions, permitting, and exchanges across the Florida Museum. They work with staff to develop and maintain best practices in these as well as with collection policy, care, and databases. They oversee organization and digitization of Anthropology collection records, especially as they apply to NAGPRA compliance, and facilitate the development of databases in Anthropology. The Registrar reports to the Chair of the Department of Natural History.
The Florida Museum of Natural History is the official state museum of Florida and is located on the campus of the University of Florida, the State of Florida’s flagship university, currently ranked No. 7 among the nation’s top public research universities by U.S. News and World Report. The Florida Museum’s mission includes stewardship of ~40 million specimens and artifacts, award-winning exhibitions, diverse public programs, and emerging virtual and digital engagement. The research and collections programs of the Department of Natural History are world class and attract ~$10 million annually in government and philanthropic support. The Florida Museum is a national and international leader in biodiversity informatics, enhanced by its formative role in iDigBio, the national hub for digitization of natural history specimens.
The Florida Museum, a college-level unit within UF, is a vibrant community of ~300 employees, including 29 full-time faculty, UF undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral research associates, and museum collections, education, and administrative support staff. The museum has dedicated labs for digital imaging, molecular genetics and genomics, and preparing skeletal specimens, as well as a new building dedicated to housing fluid-preserved collections. The Florida Museum enjoys cross-campus collaborations with many of the 16 UF colleges, including: Agricultural and Life Sciences (Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences), Education, Engineering, Libraries, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine. Other campus resources likely of interest to the holder of this position include the UF Genetics Institute, UF Biodiversity Institute, and the Ordway-Swisher Biological Station that is part of National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON).
Job Description
- Lead the coordination and tracking of accessions and permits museum-wide, and act as resource person for related processes and policies. Assist Curators, Collection Managers and collection donors on permits and agreements related to collection acquisition, ownership and stewardship, from fieldwork and donations. 25%
- Work with collection staff to track and manage specimen loans, transfers, exchanges, and deaccessions. Oversees compliance with current national and international shipping regulations, policies, and permitting. Collaboration with provenance research and assistance in repatriation of specimens (e.g., NAGPRA). 20%
- Work with staff to oversee and update Collection Policy (CP), oversee large collection acquisitions governed by CP, participate in Collection and Space Committee, and improve collection databases. Resource person on best practices for collection care. 15%
- Organize and digitize all Anthropology Division paper records of accessions, loans, field notebooks, maps, reports, etc. 15%
- Find, assess, and collate any records related to NAGPRA compliance for all archaeological and ethnographic collections and ensure that those are digitized. Lead efforts on the determination of legal ownership of collections, especially as related to NAGPRA compliance and archaeological permitting on state and federal lands. 15%
- Oversees the development, use, and sustainability of an integrated database for all Anthropology collections. 10%
Expected salary: $60,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, the Biological Sciences, Museum Studies or related field. Two years of work experience with museum collections, databasing, permitting, georeferencing, and/or NAGPRA gained through any combination of work history or graduate-level training.
Preferred Qualifications
Strong interpersonal communication skills with excellent verbal and written communication. Sound reasoning, analytical thought, attention to detail, high level of organization, with excellent follow-through. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of museum procedures, protocols, and best-practices, as well as knowledge of systematic collections and databases. They will be able to handle a variety of tasks, shifting priorities, and to work independently as well as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Interested applicants must apply online at https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/537258/flmnh-museum-registrar. To be considered you must upload 1) a professional CV or resumé, 2) a cover letter highlighting relevant experience, and 3) a list of three professional references. Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) on October 31, 2025.
If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida’s Sunshine Law.