Paid Internship at Denver Museum of Nature & Science

From a DMNS Handbill:

Robert L. Akerley Anthropological Collections and Archaeological Research Intern

Short Job Description:

The Robert L. Akerley Anthropology Collections and Archaeological Research Intern will participate in all aspects of anthropological collections management activities related to managing a world-class and extensive material culture collection. The intern may also participate in archaeological fieldwork and laboratory work. Daily duties will vary by project, but the candidate can expect to assist collections management teams in artifact inventory, processing, movement, cataloguing and data entry. Fieldwork would consist of site survey and test excavations; laboratory work will consist of cleaning, sorting, cataloguing artifacts and producing data bases. The intern will answer directly to either one of the Curators of Archaeology, the Curator of Anthropology, or the Anthropology Collections Manager. The possibility remains for small-scale research projects tailored to the intern's personal interests. Anthropology and/or Archaeology experience preferred.

Intern will receive stipend for a 10 week internship; scheduling is flexible, although a summer schedule is preferred. Intern will submit a written report of activities conducted at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science at the end of the term.

More information on the Department of Anthropology Staff and Collections can be seen at http://www.dmns.org/main/en/General/Science/Researchers/Anthropology/

Close Date: March 1, 2009

Ex: Send resumes and cover letter to: Department of Anthropology (Box #33), Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80205. No phone calls please.

Eighteen Museum Anthropologists to Loose Their Jobs at Penn

As reported today in Inside Higher Education, eighteen research specialists are being laid off at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. The scale and scope of this restructuring move by the museum leadership appears unprecedented in the field of museum anthropology. Advocates for the targeted staff have established a website with information and a petition in opposition to this move. Those interested can find it here.

Position Open: Curator of Musical Instruments--Africa

The following is copied over from an announcement forwarded to me from a member of the MIM staff:

Position Available: Curator of Musical Instruments – Africa

Background
The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) will celebrate the similarities and differences of the world’s cultures as expressed through music – a language common to us all. With musical instruments from every country in the world, MIM will pay homage to the history and diversity of instruments and introduce museum guests to their varied and unique sounds. MIM will be an engaging, entertaining, and informative experience, in which the uninitiated and the knowledgeable, the young and the old will feel welcome. MIM is an approximately $125 million project, with a 190,000 square foot building that is currently under construction in Phoenix, Arizona and is scheduled to open in 2010. Further information on MIM may be found at www.themim.org

Duties
In partnership with the President and Director, the Board, the Curatorial Department, and other MIM departments, the Curator will help build, interpret, and care for the MIM collection of African musical instruments. Specific duties will include:

• Building the collection by working independently and with the MIM team to identify, evaluate, document, and acquire appropriate instruments for exhibit, educational, or reference purposes.
• Developing content for exhibits including instruments, video, audio, and contextual elements.
• Preparing and presenting acquisition recommendations to the Acquisitions Committee.
• Identifying potential sources for long-term loans and donations of musical instruments and working with MIM staff and Board to secure these loans and gifts.
• Building relationships with scholars, collectors, other museum curators and professional societies.
• Contributing information for label copy and writing articles and catalogs relating to the collection and ongoing research.

Qualifications
The ideal candidate must bring high energy, vision, enthusiasm, and resourcefulness to this important position. MIM has an aggressive timeline for opening, so an ability to act quickly and with good judgment is paramount. Exceptional organizational, negotiation, problem-solving, and communication skills are required. Essential qualifications include:

• Advanced degree in Ethnomusicology with a focus on Africa, or advanced degree in Anthropology with a focus on African music or musical instruments. Broad trans-regional knowledge of African musical cultures is highly desirable.
• Extensive knowledge of and interest in musical instruments. Organology coursework is a plus.
• Some museum and collection management experience is desirable.
• Demonstrated success in building relationships with diverse people, such as research consultants, collectors, other museum curators, and musicians.
• Ability to problem-solve, work both independently and collaboratively, and excel in a high-performance team culture.

Other
• This is a full-time position that is located in Phoenix, AZ; relocation assistance available.
• Salary is commensurate with education and experience.
• The ideal candidate will be available to start work within 1-2 months from date of hire.
• As the museum evolves, some of the duties of this position may change.
• Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and will be accepted until the position is filled.

Qualified candidates should submit a letter of interest directly addressing the qualifications detailed above, resume or CV, and three professional references to:

Curator of Musical Instruments – Africa
Musical Instrument Museum (MIM)
8550 S. Priest Drive
Tempe, AZ 85284
hr@themim.org

Position Open: Curator for Native North America (NMNH, Smithsonian Institution)

The following is copied over from the AAA job page for the benefit of the Museum Anthropology weblog's readers:

The Department of Anthropology at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History seeks a research anthropologist/curator in ethnology, with regional specialization in Native North America.

The Department of Anthropology is one of the largest and most diverse in the nation, with more than 70 full-time staff, including 19 research curators in divisions of archaeology, ethnology, and physical anthropology. Anthropological research has flourished at the Smithsonian for over 150 years, resulting in a wealth of publications, exhibitions, and collaborations, as well as world-renowned collections of artifacts, manuscripts, photographs, and film (http://anthropology.si.edu).

We seek an individual who will bring solid scholarship to the study of Native American peoples and their cultures; maintain strong relationships with indigenous communities; and develop new and innovative approaches to museum research. The regional specialization within North America is open and we welcome applicants with a wide range of theoretical and topical interests. The ideal candidate will complement and enhance existing departmental strengths in material, visual, and expressive culture; human-environmental interactions; endangered languages; ethnohistory and heritage studies; or museum representation. Doctoral degree in anthropology or related disciplines with strong anthropological training, robust record of publication, and evidence of successful grantsmanship appropriate to career level strongly preferred.

This curatorial/research position involves engagement with the collections (artifact or archival) and Native communities from which they derive. The successful candidate will be expected to take a leadership role in enhancing the research and educational value of the museum’s North American ethnology collections. He/she will work with the support of the Anthropology Collections and Archives Program, and the Office of Repatriation. While not required, teaching as an adjunct in local universities or in the department’s new NSF-sponsored research training program is encouraged/possible.

This position will be initially offered as a four-year term appointment, comparable to a tenure-track university position. It is a Federal position and U.S. citizenship is required. For complete requirements and application instructions go to www.si.edu/ohr and scroll to announcement # 09A-RB-294782-DEU-NMNH. The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer

NOTES:

Additional Salary Information: GS 12

The following information is provided by the employer in accordance with AAA policy. AAA is not responsible for verifying the accuracy of these statements. They are not part of the actual position description submitted for publication by the employer.

This employer does prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation/preference.

This employer does prohibit discrimination based on gender identity/expression.

This employer does not offer health insurance benefits to eligible partners.

This employer does not appear on the AAUP list of censured institutions.