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Assistant Curator of Vertebrate Biology
Job no: 5108871
Work type: Full-Time (Salaried)
Location: Martinsville, Virginia
Categories: Applied Sciences and Natural Resources
Title: Assistant Curator of Vertebrate Biology
State Role Title: Scientist I
Hiring Range: $55,000.00
Pay Band: 4
Agency: VA Museum of Natural History
Location: HEADQUARTERS
Agency Website: www.vmnh.net
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
An exceptional job opportunity with the Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH) is now available. VMNH is a state agency in Virginia's Education Secretariat located in Martinsville, Virginia, approximately 50 miles east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The mission of the Virginia Museum of Natural History is to interpret Virginia's natural heritage within a global context in ways that are relevant to all the citizens of the Commonwealth.
VMNH seeks an Assistant Curator in the area of Vertebrate Biology, with a specialty in mammalogy or ornithology. The successful candidate will be appointed as an Assistant Curator in the Research and Collections Division and affiliated with a lab within the museum's Vertebrate Zoology Collections. After a five-year period, the Assistant Curator will have the opportunity to be promoted to Associate Curator, and five years after that, Full Curator.
If you meet the qualifications for Assistant Curator - Vertebrate Biology, we invite you to apply to join our staff. The earliest starting date for this position is Monday, March 1, 2027. A Ph.D. in biology, zoology, anatomy, or a related field is required at the time of appointment, and experience beyond the Ph.D. is preferred.
We seek a candidate with demonstrated high-impact research utilizing specimens-based approaches to address questions in biodiversity, systematics, phylogenetics, and/or evolution. Candidates should exhibit scientific productivity and grantsmanship, and clear potential for future success in these areas. The candidate's research program should integrate with the Museum's focus on comparative biology and biodiversity science with relevance to patterns and processes including but not limited to Virginia ecosystems and species. Although area of specialization is open, systematics and taxonomy are viewed as essential to the Museum's scientific mission and should be an important part of the research portfolio. A broad-based approach that includes systematics along with molecular, and/or ecological methods is favored. An active interest in extant museum specimens and in developing interdisciplinary research collaborations is preferred. The Curator's research and activities are expected to complement and utilize or strategically expand the Museum's collections and increase their visibility and use in novel ways.
This position requires expertise in the global higher-level systematics of an extant mammalian or bird group, but overall familiarity with mammals and birds is expected. General competence in field collection, preparation, care, and management of scientific specimens is required, along with the ability to interface with outside scientists requesting access to the collections. Other requirements include publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, curation of existing collections, evaluation/acquisition of additional specimens, providing technical expertise for museum programming and exhibits, and serving as liaison between the museum and the broader scientific community via collaborations, reviews, and presentations. The successful candidate is expected to obtain external funding to support their research efforts.
Necessary skills and abilities include good communication (both oral and written), organization, teaching, creativity, and fiscal responsibility. Duties for this position also include interaction with other VMNH departments such as Education, Exhibits, and Advancement. The ability to regularly and effectively communicate scientific knowledge to a wide spectrum of audiences, including the general public, is essential.
VMNH has an active scientific community and multiple opportunities for public-facing engagement with a large and diverse audience. We are committed to advancing and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and visitor experience and expect the opportunity to join with this mission to be apparent in the applicants' statements.
Minimum Qualifications
• A doctoral degree in natural sciences at the time of hiring
• Experience with specimen-based research that is relevant to the use or understanding of biodiversity and natural history
• Publications demonstrating expertise in working with mammals and/or birds and utilizing biodiversity-oriented data
• Experience or interest using science communication to engage with community members
Preferred qualifications:
• Postdoctoral experiences in the natural sciences at the time of application submission
• The ability to support an externally funded research program that, at least in part, includes the southeastern United States
• Demonstrated ability to build a regional network with local partners and institutions
• Experience with one or more of the following: eDNA, metabarcoding, genomics, remote sensing, GIS, CT scanning
Pay will be determined by past experience and qualifications. The Virginia Museum of Natural History is a State Agency that offers competitive benefits and retirement packages to all employees.
Additional Considerations
For more information about VMNH, visit www.vmnh.net.
The Commonwealth of Virginia online employment application is available at https://www.jobs.virginia.gov/home
Only online applications are accepted. In addition to the online application, applicants must also submit the following:
• Cover letter (max. 1 page)
• Curriculum vitae
• Research statement, including past achievements, future plans and opportunities to generate relevance to biodiversity of the Commonwealth of Virginia. (max. 3 pages)
• Curatorial service statement, describing your vision for museum service to collections, exhibitions, and public programs, including commitments and contributions to increasing diversity, equity, & inclusion in education, research, and/or museum settings (max. 3 pages)
• Names and contact information for three letters of reference which will be requested for short-listed candidates
The Virginia Museum of Natural History is located in the biologically diverse region of southwest Virginia near a variety of natural areas spanning multiple physiographic provinces (Valley and Ridge, Blue Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont). The City of Martinsville is a small community with regional access to many larger cities (Danville, Roanoke, and Blacksburg VA, and Greensboro and Winston Salem NC), and universities and colleges (e.g., Virginia Tech, UNC Greensboro).
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Application materials should be submitted as a single PDF to the portal.
Publications may be submitted as a file share link/folder if the size exceeds 10MB.
Inquiries about the position should be directed to Ben Williams, Administrator of Science (ben.williams@vmnh.virginia.gov). Consideration of applications will begin Monday, October 5, 2026.
The Virginia Museum of Natural History complies with E-Verify which is an internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are afforded equal opportunities without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability. The successful applicant must furnish proof of identity and employment eligibility and is subject to a background check
Contact Information
Name: Lynette Perkins
Phone: 276-403-8522
Email: lynette.perkins@vmnh.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
Advertised: 17 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 05 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
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