The Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida seeks an experienced full-time Collections Manager II or III as Director of Invertebrate Paleontology Collections within the Department of Natural History. The Invertebrate Paleontology (IP) division currently consists of two faculty curators, two full-time staff, one half-time staff, three graduate students, one post-doctoral researcher and numerous interns and volunteers. The extensive collection (~7,000,000 specimens) primarily consists of Cenozoic invertebrate fossils that form the basis for a wide variety of paleontological research. This full-time, TEAMS exempt staff position is expected to begin Summer 2026 and will manage and support all aspects of IP research collections, conduct fieldwork, participate in public outreach, pursue external funding, and contribute to the research goals of the institution.
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
- Oversee and manage the curation of IP collections, accession specimens into the collection, maintain division records, reports, and supplies, process loans to and from the IP collection and assist visiting scientists, students, and other scholars. Ensure adherence to best practices in all areas of collection management. Develop and implement collection policies and workflows in collaboration with the IP Curators.
- Hire, coordinate, train, and supervise staff (TEAMS, OPS), volunteers, and students. Oversee all aspects of training graduate, undergraduate, and postdoctoral researchers in basic curatorial skills, field collection methods, digital imaging, curation, and related procedures.
- Plan and conduct field work aimed at increasing the breadth and quality of IP fossil collections. Support research, including field work and collections-based projects of the IP curators as well as postdoctoral and student researchers, or other collaborators. Maintain and develop relationships with private mining companies and state agencies to facilitate access, collaboration, and compliance.
- Raise funds to support curation activities by soliciting private entities, foundations, or corporations and by writing grant proposals to fund IP collections or IP facility improvements. Prepare, monitor, and administrate grant and state budgets for curation projects.
- Assist with and participate in collection-based scientific research that advances the IP Division’s and FLMNH’s standing in the scientific community. Publish findings in peer-reviewed and popular publications and present research at local, regional, national, and international meetings.
- Lead and participate in public education programs and exhibit planning within and outside the FLMNH. Coordinate tours and press visits within the IP collection and prepare appropriate educational outreach materials. Respond to requests for identification and information from researchers and the public. Maintain and develop relationships with numerous advocational paleontology societies to support IP outreach initiatives.
Expected salary:
- Collections Manager II: $58,656 – $65,000 annually
- Collections Manager III: $66,000 – $75,000 annually
Photo courtesy Roger Portell
Florida Museum photo by Kristen Grace
Florida Museum photo by Sophia Zayas
Minimum Qualifications
- Collections Manager II: Bachelor’s Degree in related field is required, and five years of experience working with a collection of appropriate discipline. Specific knowledge of the discipline for your collection area is required.
- Collections Manager III
Bachelor’s degree in a related field and ten years of experience working with a collection of an appropriate discipline. Specific knowledge of the discipline for the collection area is required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Substantial experience managing invertebrate paleontology collections or in a similar leadership role supervising staff and budgets.
- M.S. or Ph.D. degree in an appropriate area of specialization such as geology or biology and at least five (5) years of experience in identification, care, analysis and cataloging of invertebrate paleontology collections.
- Extensive knowledge and experience with the field of invertebrate paleontology and curatorial procedures in a modern museum, including standards of conservation, computer cataloging, and digital imaging.
- Experience with identification of invertebrate fossils from a broad range of phyla. As most of the collection is from the marine Cenozoic geological record, someone whose expertise and experience includes Cenozoic marine invertebrates, especially mollusks, is preferred.
- Experience using a computer database for curation of museum specimens, especially Specify.
- Experience working with or supervising students and volunteers in museum and field settings.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Interested applicants must apply online at https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/537851/flmnh-collections-manager-ii-flmnh-collections-manager-iii. To be considered you must upload 1) a professional CV or resumé, 2) a cover letter highlighting relevant invertebrate paleontology experience, 3) a statement, no more than two pages, describing your approach to collections management in a university-based museum, and 4) a list of three professional references. Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) on January 5, 2026.
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.