Assistant Curator

Texas A&M Agrilife Research; College Station (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

12–15 paid holidays

Sick leave and vacation

Job summary

Texas A&M Agrilife Research is seeking an Assistant Curator to manage the Texas A&M University Insect Collection. You will recruit and train part-time staff, supervise operations, and maintain taxonomic information services for instructional and outreach programs.

The role emphasizes collection development, field work to enhance taxonomic diversity, and collaboration with arthropod scientists and educators within the department.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in related field.
• Experience in managing insect collections preferred.
• Strong communication and multi-tasking abilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the Insect Collection, including loans, curation, and records.
• Recruit, train, and supervise part-time staff and students.
• Maintain arthropod identification services and support instructional programs.
• Expand collection holdings through field work in Texas and nearby regions.
• Assist in securing support for collection development and policy setting.
• Engage with professional networks to advance collection development practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Collection management

Verbal/written communication

Team leadership

Taxonomic knowledge

Public outreach

Education

Master's degree or higher

Tools

Database software

Job description

Job TitleAssistant Curator Agency Texas A&M Agrilife Research Department Entomology

Proposed Minimum SalaryCommensurate

Job LocationCollege Station, Texas

Job TypeStaff

Job Description

About Texas A&M AgriLife Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Texas A&M AgriLife Research College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University Texas A&M Forest Service Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory As the nation’s largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service. Click here to learn more about joining AgriLife!

Position Information

Job Summary: Manages day-to-day operations of the Texas A&M University Insect Collection. Recruits, trains and supervise part-time personnel to assist in carrying out collection operations and programs. Maintains departmental arthropod identification and information service. Promotes collection development through relevant field work in arthropod faunistics. Builds and maintains professional knowledge and expertise in research collection development and management.

Responsibilities

• Initiate, coordinate, prioritize, supervise, and participate in the daily operations of the Texas A&M University Insect Collection, including specimen and loan processing, collection curation, orphaned collection acquisition, public outreach, digital data acquisition and management, maintenance of voucher specimens, correspondence and collection records, assisting visitors, ordering supplies, and other related activities.
• Recruit, train, and supervise part-time technicians and student workers to assist in implementing collection operations and initiatives; coordinate research collection activities with the departmental teaching collection manager.
• Maintain the departmental arthropod identification and information service and assist in providing taxonomic support for instructional and outreach/Extension programs within the department.
• Promote collection development through field work designed to enhance the taxonomic diversity of collection holdings from Texas and adjacent regions.
• Assist the Curator in identifying and securing support for collection development activities, and in establishing policies affecting collection operations and development.
• Enhance collection development, usage, and visibility through the development and maintenance of relationships with arthropod systematists and biologists, both professional and avocational, and continue professional development and maintain knowledge of contemporary best-practices for insect/arthropod research collections through active participation in appropriate professional organizations, meetings, and related activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Master’s degree or higher in related field.
• One year of related experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of modern collection management procedures. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and presentation skills. Good computer skills.
• Ability to multi task and work cooperatively with others.

Other Requirements

• Incumbent must possess (or obtain within six months of position start date) and maintain a valid license for driving in Texas.

Important Notice Regarding H1-B Sponsorship

Your employment at Texas A&M AgriLife may require nonimmigrant sponsorship. A Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025. Texas A&M AgriLife will NOT pay this fee. If the fee is imposed on your petition, this offer of employment will be revoked. If actions taken during your employment result in the imposition of this fee, your employment will be terminated. To the extent that this statement conflicts with any applicable System or member Policy, Regulation, or Rule, this statement will control. We recommend that you consult with your private immigration counsel at your own expense regarding potential implications. In addition, on January 27, 2026, Texas Governor Abbott issued a moratorium on the filing of any new H-1B unless approved by the Texas Workforce Commission. Accordingly, if you will now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status this moratorium may affect our ability to employ you should you be selected as the final candidate.

Benefits and Leave

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance (AgriLife contributes to premiums)
• 12–15 annual paid holidays
• Up to 8 hours/month sick leave and at least 8 hours/month vacation
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Employee Wellness Initiative
• Access to ongoing professional development and training through Aspire, LinkedIn Learning, and internally developed programs

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.

The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a statewide network of twelve universities, eight state agencies, a comprehensive health science center, Texas A&M-Fort Worth and Texas A&M-RELLIS. The A&M System is committed to providing an educational and work environment that is conducive to the personal and professional development of each employee. Each member institution provides equal opportunity and access to all students, employees and prospective employees.

External Applicants - Applicants not currently employed by a Texas A&M System member may Search Postings and apply for positions within one or more A&M System members by selecting the job posting.

Internal Applicants - This site lists job postings throughout The Texas A&M University System. It is intended for applicants not currently employed by a member of the system. Current employees should apply for jobs on the Internal Career site.

The Texas A&M System is an Equal Opportunity/ Veterans/ Disability Employer.