The UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden and Herbarium seek applications for a curator of living plant collections to work on a two-year project to review and analyze the composition of existing plants in the Garden and help develop a strategic plan to enhance the Garden as a Living Museum. This position, funded by an award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, will be a two-year appointment to work exclusively on a grant-funded project to create a road for the future of the UCLA Botanical Garden that will meet its educational, research, and outreach goals. The post-doctoral curator will be supervised by the Garden Director and will work closely with the herbarium curator, the Garden’s science advisor, the Assistant Director, and other Garden staff. This position presents an exciting opportunity to be a key participant in a strategic planning process to enhance the extensive and historically significant collections of the UCLA Mathias Garden and is ideal for someone seeking a career in management of botanical garden collections or herbarium curation. The position is available in January 2025.
Responsibilities for the position will change over the course of the project. Initially, the curator will update and check the inventory of the current IrisBG database and supervise students to archive vouchers that are not currently in the herbarium. Second, the person will analyze the databases for taxonomic and biogeographical representation in the Collections. Third the person will analyze the collections based on additional criteria generated through a consultation process and help draft a report of recommendations for future collections.

The successful candidate must hold a PhD in plant systematics, botany, horticulture, biology, or a related field by the date of appointment. The ideal candidate will have expertise in digital databases, plant identification, and/or botanical garden curation. Good writing skills are also desirable. The curator must be comfortable taking responsibility for the curatorial aspects of the project while also working as part of a team to draft the final report. The candidate must also be willing to supervise and mentor undergraduate assistants. Individuals with a history and commitment to mentoring undergraduates from underrepresented groups in the sciences are encouraged to apply.

Department: https://www.botgard.ucla.edu/