The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (SNM) and the School of Biological Sciences (SBS) at the University of Oklahoma (OU) invite applications for a full-time 12-month tenure-track split position as Assistant Curator (0.59 FTE)/Assistant Professor (0.41 FTE) with a start date Fall 2025. 

We seek an innovative, creative and collaborative colleague with a record of collection-based research in Ornithology who will establish a discipline-leading, student-involved, cross-disciplinary and externally funded research program; build collaborations within and outside the University; and work with colleagues and students toward OU’s Lead On Strategic Plan.

 The ideal candidate will perform collection-based research in any subfield of Ornithology, including but not limited to the following: Systematics, Phylogeny Reconstruction, Comparative Genomics, Landscape/Population Genetics, Biodiversity, Geographical Ecology, Global Change Biology, and/or Evolutionary or Conservation Biology, and have experience working with museum collections. We are especially interested in candidates who use genetic or genomic tools and datasets in combination with innovative computational, ecological, behavioral and/or comparative approaches to address questions within the context of one or more of the four SBS research initiatives.

 The successful candidate will be expected to: (1) develop and maintain an extramurally-funded research program; (2) grow and curate the collection of birds; (3) contribute to museum public exhibit development and support; (4) develop and contribute to museum education and community outreach activities; and (5) contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching, including instruction of one course per year in Ornithology, Animal Behavior, Biogeography, Genetics, Evolution, Ecological Modeling, or Bioinformatics.

 The Sam Noble Museum of Natural History is a Provost-direct unit and the designated museum of natural history for the State of Oklahoma. The museum has an outstanding curatorial, collections, education, exhibits and support staff that serve the museum’s mission from research to preservation to education. The School of Biological Sciences was recently established through the integration of the departments of Biology and Microbiology & Plant Biology to align programs and research with faculty strengths and the OU Norman Research Strategic Verticals.

The University of Oklahoma invests in its faculty by providing support and resources through the Center for Faculty Excellence and Vice President for Research and Partnerships Office. The Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences supports faculty development through mentoring, new faculty orientation series, and access to research and educational support. We encourage candidates to apply who are seeking to work in a university-based museum and a rapidly growing college with collegial interdisciplinary groups and strong academic units.

 Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Biology, Ornithology or other related field at the time of application.
• Established record of high-quality research and publications.
• Demonstrated record of, or clear potential for, strong extramural funding.
• Familiarity with effective teaching practices and mentoring approaches that support students from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Record of specimen-based collection experience and potential for specimen-based curation and obtaining collection grants.
• Record of or potential for collection interpretation, exhibition development, and science communication.
• Demonstrated or explicit commitment to outreach, community engagement, and service to the museum, school, university, and discipline.
• Commitment to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses that engage students as they explore Museology and Biological sciences, provide the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the museum and bioscience workforce, and encourage students to become active members of the museum and scientific community.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading collaborative projects and working with interdisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated teaching record, evidenced by list of courses taught, description of innovative pedagogy, effective student engagement, and/or a history of positive student and peer evaluations.
• Demonstrated potential for Sam Noble Museum collection growth and record of integrating museum collections into research and teaching.
• Potential for collaborations with others within the Sam Noble Museum and School.

Applicants are required to submit: 1) a cover letter describing your interests in and qualifications for the position and fit with the Sam Noble Museum and one or more of the School of Biological Sciences research themes; 2) a full curriculum vitae; 3) a research plan describing your research focus, methods, future trajectory, and its potential contributions to one or more of the four School of Biological Sciences research initiatives “Ecology of Changing Planet”, “Biological Foundations of One Health”, “Mechanisms of Biodiversity”, or “Behaviors: From Molecules to Ecosystems”; 4) a curatorial statement including your museum experience with collections, collection interpretation, exhibition, and outreach and community engagement; and 5) a teaching plan briefly describing your approach to teaching and student mentorship and your plans/goals for teaching at the University of Oklahoma (including existing and proposed courses) and advising a varied cohort of undergraduate and graduate students. Applications must be submitted online via Interfolio at http://apply.interfolio.com/154668. Additionally, applicants must submit contact information within Interfolio to initiate requests for three (3) confidential letters of recommendation; all letters must be on file for an application to be reviewed for the position. Please keep cover letter, research plan, curatorial statement, and teaching plan to 1–3 pages each. Additional materials may be requested.

 Screening of candidates will begin October 16, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled.

 Inquiries should be directed to the search committee chair or co-chair:

Chair: Dr. Cameron Siler, Associate Curator/Associate Professor

University of Oklahoma

[email protected]

 Co-Chair: Dr. Richard Lupia, Associate Curator/Associate Professor

University of Oklahoma

[email protected]