Vacancy in Invertebrate Zoology

The National Museum of Natural History, Leiden, The Netherlands has as a task to gather and disseminate knowledge about our planet as a natural system and the position of Man in that system. The Museum moved to completely new premises in 1997. The total number of employees at the moment is 127 FTE with another 100 project workers, students, volunteers, and guest researchers. The exhibitions are visited by 250 000 persons per year.
The Department of Invertebrates is part of the Section Collections and Research. The department has sub-departments on coelenterates, crustaceans, echinoderms, molluscs, and worms. In the department there is a vacancy for a

Curator of Invertebrates (f/m)
(32 hours per week)

The position will be available from April 1, 2004. In accordance with the policy of appointment at Naturalis, during the first three years the position will be renewed on a yearly basis with the prospect of a fixed tenure afterwards.

The curator will co-operate with colleagues in the department with regard to research and collections of invertebrates (in particular collections of Echinodermata, Tunicata, Porifera, Bryozoa and Brachiopoda).
 
Her/his tasks will involve:
-       management of historic and valuable scientific collections (information services, international correspondence with colleagues, scientific support of visitors, scientific aspects of loans)
-       independent research, both on behalf of collection management and problem-oriented research, resulting in research reports and publications
-       editing scientific publications for museum journals
-       participation in the marine research programme "Fauna Malesiana Marina", including at least four weeks of fieldwork abroad
-       dissemination of knowledge to the general public
-       supervision of a collection technician

We expect the successful applicant:
-       to have an academic degree (PhD or MSc) in animal taxonomy and/or marine biology
-       in case of a MSc only, the applicant should be willing to follow a PhD-programme
-       to have diving and field research experience
-       to have a background, general interest, and publication experience in marine invertebrates (preferably Indo-Pacific ascidians, echinoderms, bryozoans, and/or sponges)
-       to be experienced in managing scientific invertebrate collections
-       to be experienced in molecular techniques with regard to phylogeny reconstruction and biogeographical analyses, or to be willing to learn these techniques
-       to show an interest in the societal application of animal taxonomy for nature conservancy, agriculture and fisheries, pharmacology, etc.
-       to raise funds for research and collection management
-       to coach students in animal taxonomy
-       to work in close co-operation with colleagues, especially during field work
-       to be willing to assist the head of the department in the logistic organization of field work
-       to be experienced in handling computerised data bases
-       to have well-developed organizational skills, particularly in the field of project management
-       to have oral and written fluency in English
-       if Dutch is not the mother tongue, to show willingness to learn Dutch and become fluent within six months time
-       to have good social skills
-       to work independently

We offer:
a salary up to EUR 47.036,- per year, including vacation allowance, depending on acquired skills and publication record. Incorporation into a pension fund.

Further information about this position can be obtained from the Head of the Department of Invertebrates, Dr. B.W. Hoeksema, tel. +31 71 5687631; e-mail [log in to unmask] Applications (accompanied by curriculum vitae, list of publications, and names with addresses of at least two academic referees) should be sent before March 15, 2004 to: Department of Personnel & Organization, National Museum of Natural History, Postbus 9517, 2300  RA, Leiden, The Netherlands. 


Leiden, February 3, 2004