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What is an assistant osteologist?

Assistant osteologists are professionals who support osteologists in the study and analysis of bones, often within the fields of archaeology, anthropology, forensics, or medical research. Their tasks typically include cleaning, cataloging, and analyzing skeletal remains to help identify individuals, determine age, sex, ancestry, and cause of death. They may also assist in preparing reports, conducting research, and maintaining skeletal collections. Assistant osteologists work under the supervision of senior osteologists and contribute crucial information to projects involving human or animal remains.

What does an assistant osteologist do?

As an Assistant Osteology, your daily tasks often include cataloging skeletal remains, assisting with laboratory analyses, maintaining databases, and preparing specimens for study. You'll work closely with senior osteologists and researchers, supporting ongoing projects by ensuring accurate data collection and adherence to lab protocols. Your organizational skills and attention to detail are vital for maintaining the integrity of the research, and you'll play a key role in facilitating collaboration between field archaeologists, lab technicians, and curators.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant osteologist?

To thrive as an Assistant Osteologist, you need a solid background in biological anthropology or archaeology, with a focus on human skeletal analysis and at least a bachelor's degree in a related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, osteometric tools, and digital databases for cataloging remains is important, and additional training or certification in forensic methods can be beneficial. Strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication are valuable soft skills for collaborating with research teams and preparing reports. These competencies ensure accurate identification, preservation, and interpretation of skeletal remains, which are critical for research and forensic investigations.

What is the difference between Assistant Osteology vs Assistant Anatomy?

AspectAssistant OsteologyAssistant Anatomy
Required CredentialsTypically requires a background in osteology, anthropology, or related fields; certifications varyRequires knowledge of human anatomy, often with similar certifications or educational background
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, museums, archaeological sitesMedical facilities, educational institutions, research labs
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, museums, research institutionsHospitals, medical schools, research centers
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in osteology researchUnderstanding roles in anatomy education or medical research

The main difference between Assistant Osteology and Assistant Anatomy lies in their focus areas. Assistant Osteology specializes in the study of bones and skeletal remains, often within archaeological or anthropological contexts. In contrast, Assistant Anatomy typically involves working with human body structures for medical or educational purposes. Both roles require related educational backgrounds and certifications, but their work environments and industry applications differ significantly.

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Infographic showing various Assistant Osteology job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, and 27% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Anthropologist (Osteology), IS-0190-12

Suitland, MD • On-site

Smithsonian Institution
Museums and Historical Sites • 5 - 10K employees

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 29 rated museums

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Learn more about Smithsonian Institutionexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

OPEN DATE: August 5, 2026                    
CLOSING DATE: August 19, 2026 (This job will close when the first 200 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date)         
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: 2-year    
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Suitland, MD 

Position sensitivity and risk:
Non-Sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Open to all qualified applicants

What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care). 
 
Conditions of Employment
  • Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
  • Complete a Probationary Period.
  • Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
  • The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.  Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
  • Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 
  • The work requires prolonged standing while examining and processing skeletal collections; frequent bending, reaching, and lifting of collection materials; and the movement of collection containers, specimen trays, and storage units weighing up to 40 pounds. The incumbent regularly uses carts, ladders, and other equipment to access and transport collections stored in museum facilities. 
  • Normally works in a laboratory or collection area; infrequently performs field work in a variety of settings. May work with chemicals, some potentially hazardous. Proper safety precautions are observed. 
Come join a dedicated and creative team at an exceptional time for the Smithsonian, an institution with a bold vision for the future: to build a better tomorrow for all. The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex. The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is part of the Smithsonian's unique complex and is one of the most visited museums in the United States.  Its mission is to promote understanding of the natural world and our place in it. NMNH has a collection of 148 million specimens and artifacts. Each one reflects a moment in space and time and in these moments, we find Earth's story.
The National Museum of Natural History is seeking an experienced candidate to fill the Anthropologist (Osteology) position within the International Repatriation and Domestic Returns Program, Department of Anthropology.  The primary purpose of the position is to serve as an Anthropologist (Osteology) responsible for advanced skeletal documentation and interpretation, collections data management, and program support for International Repatriation and Domestic Returns (IRDR). The incumbent contributes to the documentation, analysis, and stewardship of human remains collections and supports institutional efforts to identify and return remains to appropriate descendant communities globally.
  • Provides technical guidance and oversees biological profile assessments, including age-at-death, sex, ancestry, pathology, trauma, and postmortem changes.
  • Conducts advanced analyses and research to assist in determining biological ancestry. 
  • Produces technical reports, documentation, and scientific interpretations supporting IRDR activities. Applies osteological findings within historical, archaeological, and cultural contexts relevant to return efforts.
  • Works closely with staff in the Department of Anthropology to maintain data and further develop standards for the capture and dissemination of biological information from collections of human remains being assessed for possible repatriation/return. 
  • Oversees data capture program for IRDR of human remains designated for return, working within established policies governing data collection, maintenance, and future collaborative use. 
  • Engages with international partners, descendant communities, and the scientific community to support transparency and collaboration.
 
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet the following Basic Requirements for Positions in the Smithsonian Institution:

Applicants must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included or was supplemented by 24 semester hours in anthropology, history, biology, physical science, geology, human geography, or other closely related fields that primarily concern human adaptation to the environment or evolutionary development.  Related fields may include archaeology, osteology, biological anthropology, and forensic anthropology.

In addition to the Basic Requirements above:

Applicants must possess a master's degree in anthropology, archaeology, osteology, biological anthropology, forensic anthropology, or a closely related field from an accredited four-year college or university; AND 5-7 years of related experience (described below); OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.  

 Experience required for this position is as follows:
  • Advanced professional knowledge of biological anthropology, especially human skeletal biology and the related subdisciplines of osteometrics, paleopathology, and skeletal demography, collections documentation, and international/domestic returns practices to conduct comprehensive analyses of human skeletal remains. 
  • Comprehensive knowledge of museum collections management principles and practices, including the curation, preservation, documentation, and stewardship of human remains within biological anthropology collections, as well as familiarity with institutional standards governing collections care, sensitivity and access. 
  • Knowledge of repatriation/return policies, legal authorities, and ethical standards, including institutional procedures and international considerations governing the identification, documentation, and return of human remains. 
  •  Extensive knowledge of data management systems and standards is required to oversee data capture programs, ensure quality control, enhance accessibility, and documentation protocols used to capture, maintain, and disseminate biological information. 
  • Knowledge of scientific research methods and technical communication practices to prepare written detailed reports, provide expert technical guidance, and present findings in writing and orally to diverse audiences, including scientists, institutional leadership, and descendant communities. 
  • Demonstrated ability to supervise and guide others through reviewing completed work for soundness of overall approach, effectiveness in achieving program goals, technical adequacy, feasibility of recommendations, and adherence to applicable requirements and policies.
Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter by the closing date. Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week. 

(If applicable include) Unofficial school transcripts (undergraduate and graduate) must be submitted with your application package by the closing date of the announcement.  If selected for the position, you must provide official transcripts before appointment.

Applicants who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States must have their education deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and MUST be included as part of your application package by the closing date.

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses will not be paid.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contactNMNHStaffing@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.  To learn more, please review the Smithsonian's Accommodation Procedures: Individuals with Disabilities | Smithsonian Institution (https://www.si.edu/oeo/individuals-disabilities).

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following:  Office of Equal Opportunity | Smithsonian Institution(https://www.si.edu/oeo). 

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