Job Abstract

Reporting to the Curator-in-Charge, supports research in Vertebrate Paleontology (VP) at the Yale Peabody Museum (YPM). Executes work on fossil preparation, conservation, and collecting fossils in the field and advises on specimen storage and use. Supervises and trains students, preparation staff, and volunteers. Liaises with YPM Public Programs to support exhibition, education, and outreach. Proficient use of materials, tools, and techniques to collect, prepare, and conserve vertebrate fossils (e.g., pneumatic tools, air-abrasive units, fume hoods, dust extractors, microscopy, rock saws, organic solvents, adhesives, plaster, silicone rubber, resins, and paints, etc.). 1. Performs all aspects of manual, mechanical, chemical, and digital fossil preparation, including molding and casting, painting, conserving, labeling, housing, mounting, imaging/scanning, digital segmentation, and 3-D printing of fossils. Documents preparation, conservation treatments, and condition assessments using YPM digital infrastructure. 2. Supervises, uses, and maintains micro- and macro-preparation labs and associated facilities, including tools, supplies, and instruments, as well as executing and/or advising on labeling, housing, and mounting fossils. Assists with budget development and ensures compliance with established laboratory health and safety standards. Trains and supervises facility and equipment users. 3. Operates cameras, microscopes, and other instruments and software to image fossils, including surface- and CT-scanners and photogrammetry. Uses micro-CT scanning and digital-segmentation software for fossil preparation planning. Trains users on equipment and software. 4. Performs condition assessments on fossils, conducts materials research, and develops treatment plans in consultation with curators, staff, and others for preserving fossils and their associated data. 5. Assists with collection growth by planning, supporting, and supervising fossil-collecting expeditions, including prospecting localities, exploring novel collecting approaches, and safely packing, transporting, and shipping fossils from the field. 6. Trains students, postdocs, volunteers, and curatorial affiliates in field techniques while ensuring compliance with fieldwork health and safety standards. 7. Collaborates on the safe handling, display, mounting, storage, transport, and loan of fossils. Reviews destructive sampling requests and provides feedback on the use of proposed materials, tools, and methods. 8. Consults with collection users to achieve research goals using preparation techniques that maximize access to anatomical information without compromising the integrity of the fossil and its enclosing sediments. 9. Leads tours, contributes to special events, participates in YPM committee service, and engages in public outreach. 10. Collaborates in writing collection and fieldwork grants, including proposal drafting and submission, to support the long-term care and use of collections. Assumes Principal Investigator status as appropriate. 11. Advises on specimen preservation and storage protocols and procedures to maximize information derivable from the fossils and their associated sediments. 12. Supervises and trains staff, students, postdocs, visitors, interns, volunteers, and curatorial affiliates in the lab and field ensuring health and safety compliance. 13. Pursues professional development by staying current with fossil preparation, conservation, and field work through the literature, as well as societies, conferences, workshops, and publication. 14. Provides specimen-based support for teaching and public lectures. 15. Keeps abreast of research activities and course needs of curators and others. 16. Performs additional duties as assigned. Master’s Degree in a related field and three years of preparation experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.