Herbarium Research Associate

About the Role

Reporting to the Associate Director of Botanical Collections, Conservation and Research, the Herbarium Research Associate will focus on activating an ethnobotanical collection focused on Chinese Medicinal Plants, through making vouchers, compiling information, digitizing specimens and label data, and assisting with making the entire herbarium collection more accessible to wider audiences. This position collaborates with other staff and volunteers within the Botanical Division.

Essential Duties

• Prepare specimen vouchers from living plant material
• Curate existing specimens and improve the quality of data captured in database for select taxonomic and geographic plant groups
• Create synoptic collection of Chinese Medicinal Plants within larger herbarium with traditional plant uses documented in database
• Work with botanical staff to develop a database that houses the ethnobotanical information associated with each plant specimen
• Work with botanical staff and volunteers to develop digital resources that document the Chinese Medicinal Plant collection
• Support and initiate further research that maximizes the potential of the herbarium
• Participate in long term planning of the herbarium, positioning its usefulness within the institution

Other Related Work

• Assists with interpretation labelling in Chinese Medicinal Plant display
• Assists with data entry or adding metadata to the images of herbarium specimens
• Support the gathering and archiving of useful information on natural history, cultivated history, conservation status, and economic value of specimens in the herbarium

Candidate Requirements And Experience

• Knowledge, skills, and abilities: Minimum of a Master’s degree in Horticulture, Botany, Plant Science, or related field
• Demonstrated research experience in botany
• Demonstrated knowledge of curatorial best practices in herbaria
• Ability to work in a greenhouse, field, and office settings
• Ability to communicate with different audiences, including writing and technical skills, to develop interpretive material, manuals, and working documents
• Demonstrated willingness to collaborate and work as part of a team
• Ability to analyze problems and make recommendations
• Experience: Minimum of ten years of botanical research experience
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and cooperatively in a team environment
• Excellent organizational and communication skills

Working Conditions

• Will primarily work indoors
• Must be able to stand for long periods, stoop, bend, lift up to 30 lbs

Compensation & Benefits

• Pay Range: $36.00- $38.00/hr. Commensurate with experience.
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• 403(b) retirement plan and matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
• Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and holidays
• Discounts for staff in The Huntington Store and restaurants
• Free admission to various museums and cultural institutions
• Free passes each month to welcome family and friends to visit the grounds

The Application Process

Please submit a cover letter and CV/resume as a single PDF attachment. You will have the opportunity to submit additional documents on the “My Experience” section of the application.