Biorepository Collection Manager

Full job description and ad: https://careers.umich.edu/job_detail/224759/res-museum-collection-manager-biorepository

The University of Michigan Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) is seeking a Collection Manager for the EEB-Museums Biorepository, with emphasis on growth and management of the Michigan Pathogen Biorepository (M-PABI). The EEB-Museums Biorepository and M-PABI include frozen tissues and other sample types from multiple divisions of the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology (UMMZ) and Herbarium (MICH). M-PABI, housed within the EEB-Museums Biorepository, is a new collection that aims to support pandemic prevention by documenting and preserving the biodiversity of parasitic, pathogenic, and microbial taxa using both live and traditional museum preparations. As M-PABI is a developing collection, we are especially interested in candidates who will collaboratively contribute to M-PABI’s growth and evolution.

The Collection Manager will oversee the day-to-day operations of the M-PABI and will collaborate with other divisions to oversee the EEB-Museums Biorepository, including processing incoming and outgoing loans; collection, preparation, and integration of new specimens; developing protocols for M-PABI specimen collection, maintenance, and use; maintaining and improving specimen records; conserving and organizing specimens; managing physical improvements and digitization projects; maintaining necessary biosafety standards; facilitating the use of the collection by researchers; assisting in the acquisition of necessary permits; engaging broad audiences through outreach; and supporting the needs of other UMMZ and MICH collections. The Collection Manager will train and supervise volunteers, students, and other personnel, and collaborate with other museum collections to manage shared space and facilities. Additionally, the Collection Manager is encouraged to maintain a limited research program within the context of the M-PABI’s curatorial priorities (20% of total time). We are especially interested in candidates whose research will further develop techniques for collecting, archiving, and using M-PABI specimens.

The EEB values and endeavors to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and access within our organization and communities. Candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous, a Person of Color, neurodiverse, a woman, a person with a disability, a veteran, and/or part of the LGBTQAI+ community are welcome and encouraged to apply.

The EEB is especially interested in candidates whose background and experience have prepared them to engage and include culturally diverse audiences in museums and in science.

This position will be available starting December 1, 2022. We are looking for a candidate who can start between December 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. This is a limited-term full-time position that is funded through June 30, 2026, with the opportunity to convert this position to a regular full-time position based on need and funding. Annual salary for this position is $61,800 and includes excellent benefits (https://hr.umich.edu/benefits-wellness).

The application deadline is November 16, 2022. Please submit a cover letter; a current CV; a 1-page Collection Vision Statement describing your collections experience and knowledge, research interest, and vision for the role and priorities of the M-PABI; and contact information of three professional references.

Please contact Dr. Kelly Speer (kspeer@umich.edu) for any application inquiries.