Review of applications will begin on March 1, 2021.
The UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden and Herbarium and the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) invite applications for a plant systematics position with title of Herbarium Curator and Adjunct Assistant Professor. The UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden (http://www.botgard.ucla.edu/ is a seven-acre garden on the UCLA campus and the Herbarium is located in the adjacent La Kretz Botany Building. The UCLA Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (https://www.eeb.ucla.edu) is a top-20 program with ~25 ladder faculty members conducting research that spans ecology and evolution, including specializations such as plant ecology, plant evolution, conservation genomics, marine biology, mathematical ecology, and population genetics (http://www.eeb.ucla.edu). Related campus resources include: the Donald Dickey Bird and Mammal Collection, La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science, and ready access to the reserves of the UC Natural Reserve System including the nearby Stunt Ranch Santa Monica Mountains Reserve.
We are seeking an individual who will enhance the size and use of plant collections (currently ~150,000 collections) and library (~3000 books) in the beautifully renovated herbarium, which will be opening in Fall 2021. The focus of the plant collections is southern California, Baja California, and Mediterranean ecosystems for research and diverse specimens across taxa and geographic regions for teaching. Key responsibilities will include curation and administration of plant collections and herbarium library (50%), participation in undergraduate teaching and mentoring in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (40%) and opportunity for research (10%). Specific responsibilities as a Curator will include management of both physical and digital collections, collection, preparation, and maintenance of specimens and curation of reference library. The candidate will oversee the placement of the plant and book collections into the newly renovated space. The Curator will be part of the team that supports the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden and Herbarium and have opportunity for research and collaboration with other plant biologists on campus.
We seek candidates, ideally recent PhD recipients, with a background in plant systematics and expertise in herbarium curation. Research experience utilizing herbaria collections, and/or plant conservation, and/or knowledge of California flora are desirable. The successful candidate must hold a PhD with a plant systematics emphasis by the date of appointment, be qualified to teach a course in plant systematics, field botany, or another collection-based topic, and be willing to mentor students in undergraduate research. Individuals with a history and commitment to mentoring undergraduates from underrepresented groups in the sciences are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates must be eligible for appointment as Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. This two-year position will start July 2021 with possibility of continuation.
Applications must include (in pdf format): Curriculum Vitae; a personal statement that includes research interests, teaching experience, and efforts to promote diversity and inclusion; and pdfs of 2 relevant publications. Cover letter should describe curation experience, interests in managing a small herbarium, and names of three references. For questions, please contact Dr. Victoria Sork, Director, Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden and Herbarium, at gardendirector@ucla.edu. Please submit materials online to https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF06115. Review of applications will begin on March 1, 2021.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see:
UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy (http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct).
RECRUITMENT PERIOD
Open date: January 22nd, 2021
Next review date: Monday, Mar 1, 2021 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Monday, Mar 1, 2021 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.