How to Apply
A cover letter is required and should be attached as the first page of your CV. A 1-page Collection Management Vision Statement should describe the candidate's motivation to be a collection manager, their skills and experience, and their vision on the roles and priorities of a world-class collection in the context of the Responsibilities and Qualifications listed below.
Job Summary
The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) at the University of Michigan seeks a Collections Manager for the Division of Reptiles and Amphibians in the Museum of Zoology (UMMZ). The position is based at the University's state-of-the-art Research Museums Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
With more than 500,000 vouchered specimens overall (including > 70,000 individual snakes), the UMMZ reptile and amphibian collection is the second-largest herpetology research collection globally. The collections are worldwide in scope and include an unparalleled range of type specimens, thematic subcollections, and accessory datasets (ecological, anatomical, genetic, and digital). Hundreds of researchers and students visit annually, and the collection plays a central role in advancing global biodiversity science.
The UMMZ houses one of the world's most extensive and scientifically significant zoological collections and encompasses more than 15 million specimens. UMMZ curatorial teams, staff, and students form a dynamic research community that promote the collections as a living engine for discovery, education, and service to society, driving everything from taxonomy to conservation. Embedded within one of the world's premier public institutions, the UMMZ stands as a hub for collections-based research and education. This position offers the opportunity to play a critical role in promoting the visibility, accessibility, and long-term stewardship of this collection, while training and inspiring the next generation of biodiversity scientists.
Mission Statement
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
Responsibilities*
- Maintain and digitize the herpetology collections, including fluid-preserved, cleared-and-stained, skeletal, and tissue specimens, as well as accessory archives (field notes, photographs, radiographs, CT scans, ecological and behavioral data). Activities may include organizing and participating in field expeditions (domestic and international), coordinating digitization projects, and writing collections-based grants.
- Accession and catalog new specimens, tissues, and ancillary materials in coordination with curatorial faculty.
- Develop and implement policies, standards, and procedures for acquisition, accessioning, databasing, georeferencing, and related activities.
- Integrate and manage accessory data (ecological, behavioral, anatomical, genomic, microbiome, etc.) to maximize global visibility and accessibility.
- Provide administrative support for the collection, including documentation and summary reports, and coordinate data sharing with external repositories.
- Potential for engagement with research, especially that which involves techniques for collecting / archiving of specimens and accessory data and/or that promotes the scientific or educational value of UMMZ specimens and natural history collections more generally.
- Coordinate and process specimen and tissue loans and exchanges; ensure compliance with institutional, state, federal, and international regulations and permitting requirements.
- Supervise staff, student employees, and volunteers engaged in collection activities within the division.
- Maintenance of the collection areas and equipment to make them suitable for collection preservation, research, outreach, and use by visitors.
- Support and coordinate with curators, students, and visiting researchers in developing research and collection-based projects aligned with the priorities of the division.
- Contribute to educational and public-facing activities of the UMMZ and the university, including collection tours, exhibitions, events, and inquiries from researchers and the public.
Required Qualifications*
An advanced degree (master's or doctoral) in biology, zoology, or related fields with 3 or more years of experience with routine management and growth of biodiversity collections is required. Familiarity with international, federal, and state regulations governing the collection and use of specimens is required, as is expertise with herpetological diversity; candidates with expertise in amphibians are especially encouraged to apply.
Desired Qualifications*
Experience with database use and management or other forms of biodiversity informatics is preferred. Experience with field collection of voucher specimens and accessory data and knowledge of external data repositories and aggregators (e.g., GBIF, iDigBio, GenBank, MorphoSource) is also preferred. Experience supervising a diverse team of staff, volunteers, and students is valued, along with strong communication skills in presentations, reports, grant proposals, and professional correspondence.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
Review of applications will begin November 05, 2025.
The projected start date in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is no later than February 1, 2026.
Informal inquiries about the position can be directed to Dan Rabosky, Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians, at [email protected].
This is a regular full-time position with an anticipated salary range of $55,800 - $69,700, including excellent benefits. A higher salary is possible for exceptionally qualified candidates.
The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitments to serve the diverse people of Michigan, fulfill the College's Guiding Principles, and sustain the excellence of LSA.
To learn more about LSA's Vision and Values, visit https://lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.