NEON Assistant Director for Scientific Research Collections
Tuesday, September 25, 2012 12:10 PM
The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON, Inc.) is a nonprofit science corporation dedicated to understanding how changes in climate, land use and invasive species impact continental scale ecology. Currently in construction is the NEON project - an observatory comprising more than 60 environmental and biological monitoring locations distributed throughout twenty domains across the United States, Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico. We anticipate the need to archive and share a sizable collection of samples and specimens acquired through NEON’s extensive field activities.

Location: Boulder, Colorado

Summary:The AD for Scientific Research Collections will be responsible for planning, implementing and overseeing the archiving of biological, physical and chemical samples, tissues, and specimens collected as part of the field-based research of the NEON Observatory. This person will actively collaborate with NEON scientists to determine, document and establish archiving requirements and spearhead outsourcing of archiving to existing facilities. This person will actively network with museums, collection and archive facilities and related science institutions for the purpose of establishing long-term relationships for archiving NEON Observatory collections, and will pursue appropriate contracting arrangements to support collections requirements.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, cultivate and grow a scientific research collections network

• Develop a robust communication plan and effective engagement strategy to maximize synergies between NEON and the collections community.

• Write articles and present information at meetings, workshops and conferences to promote NEON Inc., exchange ideas, and develop and expand NEON’s visibility among the collections community, partners and stakeholders.

• Responsible for establishing policies, procedures and facility requirements for NEON Observatory archives; document the breadth and scope of NEON samples to be archived

• Responsible for researching and overseeing the bid process for external sites to store and manage NEON collections

• Establish agreements with archive institutions to curate, manage, loan and provide access to NEON samples

• Work with the collection community via technical working groups and related means to explore options for managing a shared collection and associated data and information

• With input from a technical working group define, develop, recommend, and implement best practices, policies and procedures related to archiving proposed ecological collections

• Define cataloguing criteria for NEON collections with input from existing institutions and technical working group

• Work with NEON Cyber-Infrastructure and Data Product groups to establish an appropriate tracking system for all samples

• Provide professional expertise to NEON scientists on issues related to archiving and curation

• Work with the NEON Education and Public Engagement Department to help keep the ecological community informed on the process and substance of NEON archived collections

• Explore and develop opportunities for collaborative research with the museum community and others to advance understanding of continental-scale ecology

Required Experience:

• MS/PhD in a biological or related science7-10 or more years managing, developing and/or curating scientific research collections

• Experience developing high level relationships and partnerships with science, education and research communities, and related collection organizations and institutions

• Experience and high comfort level speaking publicly and persuasively about science related knowledge to diverse audiences.

• Knowledge of standard curation criteria and related information (e.g. typical associated collections metadata; loan practices; deaccessioning)

• Experience working with government and nongovernment agencies and universities

• Experience developing and maintaining professional networks to promote and facilitate scientific collaborations

• Ability to work as a member of an interdisciplinary science team and in a business-like manner

• Ability to interact well with and coordinate the work of others

• Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills

• Familiarity with databases, particularly the platforms used by many collections in the US, biodiversity data standards, and geo-referencing


Please see full position description for details and instructions for application.

NEON Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Veterans and Disabled Persons are encouraged to appl