Posted: 16 August 2022

Research Technician

(Role Title: Laboratory & Research Specialist I)

Position #:00085 Salary Range: Pay Band 3
Location: Martinsville VA Minimum Starting Pay: $25,000-$30,000

An exceptional job opportunity in the Research and Collections Division of the Virginia Museum of Natural
History (VMNH) is now available. This is a full-time position with an excellent state benefits package.
VMNH is the official state repository of natural history collections; current holdings include a large variety of dry
and fluid-preserved invertebrates and vertebrates (amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals); frozen tissues;
invertebrate and vertebrate fossils; rocks and minerals; and archeological artifacts.
If you meet the qualifications for Research Technician, we invite you to apply to join our staff. This position is
available beginning January 2023
We seek a dynamic individual to assist the Assistant Curator of Herpetology and the Curator of Mammalogy in
conducting research, preparing and cataloguing specimens, and performing field and laboratory work, as well
as performing other day-to-day tasks related to preserving, documenting, and studying natural history
specimens with a focus on the Commonwealth of Virginia. The candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree, or
higher, in biology, or a related field. The successful candidate will have knowledge of, or willingness and ability
to learn, skills required to collect and prepare dry and fluid-preserved vertebrate specimens as well as skills
required to prepare tissue samples for molecular analyses. In addition, the individual will preferably have
supervisory experience, including experience mentoring students, interns, and/or working with volunteers. The
position requires excellent handwriting; meticulous attention to detail and accuracy; excellent written and verbal
communication skills; excellent organizational and problem-solving skills; ability to prioritize and to work
independently; and demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office and relational database software.
This position reports to the Curator of Mammalogy.
DUTIES:
 Assist with fieldwork to collect specimens of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals and other research-
related data.
 Assist with labwork to prepare tissue samples for molecular analyses.
 Prepare biological specimens including frozen tissue samples, fluid specimens (amphibians and
reptiles), study skins of mammals and birds, and skeletons. Many mammals and birds will be prepared
from salvaged (e.g., road-killed) individuals.
 Create and attach handwritten specimen labels and tags as well as other labels as needed.
 Assist with maintaining colony of dermestid beetles.
 Maintain inventories and logs of specimens and samples as they are being prepared and analyzed.
 Enter specimen data and other information into electronic databases.
 Perform activities related to storage, organization, and maintenance of collections.
 Assist with supervision of students, volunteers, and interns who are performing research-related tasks.

 Assist with science outreach activities including specimen-based presentations and programs for K-12
school groups and the general public.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
 Bachelor’s degree in vertebrate zoology, evolutionary biology, or related field, is required, and
experience beyond the Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
 Knowledge of vertebrate anatomy and vertebrate classification.
 Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.
 Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Excellent handwriting.
 Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
 Strong ability to prioritize and to work independently.
 Experience with MS Office suite programs.
 Ability to work outdoors in hot or cold conditions, lift heavy objects, and walk on uneven ground.
PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS:
 Master’s degree in biology, or equivalent experience.
 Knowledge of taxonomy and identification of birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles of eastern North
America.
 Knowledge of techniques for preparing fluid and dry vertebrate specimens.
 Knowledge of techniques for preparing tissue samples for molecular analyses.
 Knowledge of laboratory methods and techniques including routine molecular tasks (e.g., DNA
extraction, PCR, DNA visualization, Sanger/Next-Generation sequencing).
 Knowledge of techniques for storing, organizing, and maintaining natural history collections.
 Familiarity and experience with vertebrate collecting techniques.
 Experience with large electronic databases and with collections management software (e.g., Specify,
Arctos).
 Experience supervising students, interns, and/or volunteers.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PACKAGE:
The position is Pay Band 3 (minimum starting salary: $25,000.00-$30,000.00
An excellent state benefits package (including health insurance and retirement) is offered and detailed at
http://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/genlbenefits/benefitsdescription.html.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Only online applications are accepted. In addition to the online application, applicants must submit a cover
letter, curriculum vitae, and names and contact information of at least three references. These documents
may be attached to the online application.
Review of applications will begin 3 October 2022.
The Commonwealth of Virginia online employment is available at:
https://virginiajobs.peopleadmin.com/postings/

If you have questions about the position or the application process, please contact Lynette Perkins, Human
Resources Manager at 276-634-4158.

The Virginia Museum of Natural History complies with E-Verify which is an internet based system operated by
the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration that allows
participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are afforded equal opportunities without regard
to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age or disability. The successful applicant must furnish proof of
identity and employment eligibility and is subject to a background check.
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