The Florida Museum of Natural History (FLMNH) is accepting inquiries and applications for a 12-month, full-time, benefits-eligible Project Manager staff position. The selected applicant will work within the Kawahara Lab, reporting to Dr. Akito Kawahara and will also have the opportunity to design and lead their own projects broadly related to the evolution of butterflies and moths. Specifically, the applicant will be responsible for conducting research and data analysis, managing/coordinating projects, advising students, and contributing to writing grant proposals. The selected applicant will be expected to devote approximately 75% of their time to lab-related research and management activities as assigned by their supervisor, and 25% of their time to their independent research related to the lab’s research focus. For further inquiries concerning this position, contact Dr. Akito Kawahara at kawahara@flmnh.ufl.edu.

Salary will begin at $53,000 USD plus benefits ($27/hr). This position is time-limited and will be renewed annually.

Qualities and Qualifications

We seek to hire a creative scholar whose research interest is focused on evolution of Lepidoptera and other interests of the Kawahara Lab. An ideal candidate will contribute to the Lab and museum’s goals of understanding, preserving, and interpreting biological diversity, and whose research offers opportunities for integrative collaborations with other faculty and divisions within FLMNH. We especially encourage applications from candidates who contribute to the diversity, inclusivity, and excellence of the academic community and who have experience working with underserved and/or underrepresented students, scientists, and communities.

Successful candidates are required to have a Bachelor’s degree in the field of entomology, molecular evolution, systematics, evolution, bioinformatics, genomics, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. It is preferred that the candidate have a Ph.D., conduct specimen-based research on Lepidoptera, and have familiarity with analyzing next generation sequencing data using computer programming/scripting.

Applicants will be evaluated on scholarly publications, recipient of grants, prior lab management experience, and student mentorship with an emphasis on cultural competency and inclusive/equitable leadership and mentorship.

Application Process

Interested applicants must apply online at https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/519427/project-manager. Applicants must submit (1) cover letter; (2) full curriculum vitae, including lists of peer-reviewed publications and grants received; (3) a < 2 page statement describing the applicant’s current/planned research and how it relates to working in the Kawahara Lab including how the applicant may contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion; and (4) list of the names and email addresses of a minimum of two professional references (do not send letters).

Review of applications will begin on January 1, 2022.

The final candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered official if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible.

Degrees earned from an educational institution outside of the United States must be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At FLMNH, we strive to create a more diverse and inclusive student, faculty, and staff experience.  As a university-based museum, we believe it is essential that we, as educators, develop pathways for learners of all ages and wide-ranging audiences toward increased diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in STEM and Humanities disciplines and workforces. We are committed to the ongoing self-reflection and work needed to serve students from historically underrepresented groups within the greater University of Florida community, especially through student mentorship, teaching, and experiential learning opportunities. Candidates who, through their research, teaching, and/or service, will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the UF community are encouraged to apply.

The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. The University of Florida invites all qualified applicants, including minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirements under the Florida Sunshine and Public Records laws.

The University of Florida is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information and veteran status in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training.

University of Florida and Florida Museum of Natural History

The University of Florida, the State of Florida’s flagship university, ranked No. 5 among the nation’s top public research universities by U.S News and World Report, is home to FLMNH, the official state museum of Florida. The FLMNH, a college-level unit within UF, is a vibrant community of about 300 employees, including 32 full-time faculty, UF undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral research associates, and museum collections, education, and administrative support staff. The FLMNH enjoys cross-campus collaborations with many of the 16 UF colleges, Agricultural and Life Sciences (Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences), Education, Engineering, Journalism and Communications, Libraries, and Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The FLMNH’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 about $10 million annually in government and philanthropic support. FLMNH 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 McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity (MGCL) is a division within the FLMNH, where the Kawahara Lab is located. The focus of the MGCL is research on the diversity, evolution, biology and conservation of butterflies and moths. The MGCL houses the largest university-based Lepidoptera collection in the world and is one of the most active centers for research on the group, with four curators, a collections manager, a collections coordinator, a number of emeritus and affiliated curators, and dozens of students and postdoctoral researchers. Research in the Kawahara Lab is focused on evolution and behavior, using genomic sequencing approaches linked with collection-based museum data to understand patterns of insect evolution and diversity.

The City of Gainesville

Gainesville is home to Florida’s largest and oldest university, and is one of the state’s centers of education, medicine, cultural events, and athletics. The University of Florida is a leading employer in Gainesville and provides jobs for many residents of surrounding counties. Gainesville is also the largest city in Alachua County and is the county seat, with approximately 269,000 residents. It serves as the cultural, educational, and commercial center for the north central Florida region. Known for its preservation of historic buildings and the beauty of its natural surroundings, Gainesville’s numerous parks, museums, and lakes provide entertainment to thousands of visitors. Because of its beautiful landscape and urban “forest,” Gainesville is one of the most attractive cities in Florida. The city is less than a two-hour drive from Orlando, Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Tampa, and in a central location to both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, providing easy access within a day’s drive to beaches, nature preserves, and water-based activities. Explore Gainesville in 60 Seconds.