Research Zoologist (Curator of Crustacea), IS-0410-12

Research Zoologist (Curator of Crustacea), IS-0410-12 Application Deadline: 19 June 2026 Department: National Museum of Natural History Employment Type: Full Time Location: Washington, DC Compensation: $102,415 - $133,142 / year

OVERVIEW

The National Museum of Natural History is seeking an experienced candidate to fill a position of Research Zoologist and Curator of Crustacea in the Department of Invertebrate Zoology. The IZ Crustacea collection houses roughly 688,000 lots with 15.6 million specimens that include over 50% of the known species of the world. The incumbent will conduct scholarly scientific research and professional curation, develop and expand an internationally recognized research program, and collaborate with institutions and scholars worldwide. Benefits include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accident Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403(b) Retirement Plan, Smithsonian Membership discounts, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, and Flexible Spending Accounts.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation. 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. Fieldwork and aspects of curation may require moderate to strenuous physical activities. Fieldwork frequently requires longer than eight‑hour workdays and forty‑hour workweeks. Work is generally inside a typical research laboratory/office environment and requires standard health and safety procedures. Fieldwork imposes various degrees of risk depending on terrain, transportation, research activity, and living conditions. Occasional Travel – 50% or Less. Relocation expenses will not be paid.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Independently initiate, develop, and participate in an integrative, specimen- or collections-based scientific research program in crustacean evolution and biodiversity (exclusive of hexapods), focusing on fields such as phylogenetics, genetics, anatomy, development, genomics, biogeography, conservation, informatics, or related areas. Enhance and expand the IZ crustacean collections through fieldwork, specimen acquisition, maintenance, and improvement projects, working with the IZ collection management team and directing specimen/data exchange programs. Publish peer‑reviewed work including technical papers, synthetic works, descriptive, analytical, theoretical, and applied studies with significant scope and impact. Serve as a consultant and expert advisor on professional matters to colleagues, governmental agencies, institutions, foundations, organizations, and the general public, providing expertise on exhibitions, taxonomic identifications, reports, data management, strategic planning, research proposals, manuscripts, and public inquiries. Secure external funding to support the research program. Supervise or advise interns, students, fellows, short‑term scholars, scientific institutions, and museums; develop performance plans, evaluate performance, and provide guidance on work and administrative matters.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience: This position has a positive education requirement. A. Degree: zoology; or a related discipline or field of science that included at least 20 semester hours in zoology and related animal sciences. OR B. Combination of education and experience – courses equivalent to a major in zoology, or in a related discipline that included course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to the Basic Requirements above, applicants MUST possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a relevant field of study from an accredited college or university; and/or related experience that demonstrates possession of the competencies described below; or an equivalent combination of experience and education. Knowledge required for this position is as follows: Knowledge of and ability to conduct original, specimen‑ or collections-based scientific research on Crustacea (exclusive of hexapods), as evidenced by peer‑reviewed publications. Highest ranked candidates will have a record of innovative, original, and independent research. Knowledge of and experience with curation practices and procedures for museum collections in a specialty area. Thorough knowledge of collections management practices, gained through work experience in curation and research on crustacean/IZ collections, to develop and curate the IZ crustacean collection, through fieldwork and acquisition, maintenance, and management of collections. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to articulate the research program to administrators, the scientific community, funding agencies, and the general public. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery." The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact View email address on click.appcast.io. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr Smithsonian Institution