Collection Manager, Ornithology - Details
        The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia  seeks a
Collections Manager for the Department of Ornithology.  Under Drs Robert S.
Ridgely and Leo Joseph, the Department is an active focus of study of
Neotropical birds, particularly their systematics, distribution,
biogeography and historical ecology.  The Collection Manager will  oversee
the care, conservation and day-to-day use of the Department's collection of
some 165,000 study skins and occasionally assist in similar duties
pertaining to the Department's tissue collection of 8,700 samples.  The
skin collection has extensive geographical and taxonomic coverage with a
particular strength in Neotropical material.  The collection is also rich
in extinct and endangered species, type specimens of Neotropical and
Australian taxa, and historically important specimens such as birds
collected by John James Audubon and John Kirk Townsend.  Two current
Academy-wide programs to which the Collection Manager will contribute are
reviews of collections databases and digital imaging of the collections.

Duties and requirements are to:
- maintain and enhance the condition of the collection both through
        -routine activities (monitoring and treatment of insect outbreaks,
maintaining cleanliness within and around the collection), and
        -occasional other activities such as participation in writing grant
proposals to secure funding for collection improvements;

-maintain and enhance access to the collection for its sound and efficient
use by ensuring that
        -databases of the collection and its use are up to date,
        -computerized labelling of the collection is at all times as
accurate as possible,
        -specimens are well organized within the collection, and
        -loans of specimens (and their return) are attended to promptly;

-actively incorporate new material into the collection by
        -participating in field work as directed,
        -preparing specimens, and
        -ensuring that newly acquired material is accessioned as soon as
practicable;

-participate from time to time in departmental fund raising activities, in
design of field work and, as appropriate, research;

 -attend to queries of a general nature from the public; and

-maintain the department's field collecting equipment.

        Applicants should have a sound general knowledge of avian
systematics; particular knowledge of Neotropical birds is desirable.
Previous collections' care and experience in maintaining databases are
essential.  Minimum level of formal qualifications necessary is an M.Sc. or
a B.Sc with some later research experience preferably involving field and
museum study in ornithology.  Knowledge of a range of database software and
proficiency in working with both PC and Mac platforms would be an
advantage; Filemaker, FoxPro, QuattroPro and Excel are currently in use.

        Salary:  starting rate 23,000 p.a..  Higher rates negotiable
according to experience and qualifications.  Resumes and the names of up to
three references should be sent by 31 August 1998 to Mr Charles Smith,
Director, Human Resources, Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia,
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia PA 19103-1195.  For further
information, contact Dr Leo Joseph at (215) 299 3797 or by email at
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