Curator of Collections

Pick Museum of Anthropology, Northern Illinois University; DeKalb (IL); On-site; USD 46,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pick Museum of Anthropology at Northern Illinois University seeks a Curator of Collections to oversee care and protection of museum holdings, develop policies, and manage provenance research with outreach activities. This role serves as the NAGPRA contact and coordinates with Native American Nations.

The position includes supervising student workers, interns, and volunteers, while advancing digitization and access to collections, exhibitions, and class visits.

Qualifications

• Experience with museum collections management and care.
• Knowledge of NAGPRA processes and tribal consultation.
• Ability to supervise and mentor students, interns, and volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Care and protection of museum collections and galleries.
• Develop and implement collections policies; accessioning and acquisitions review.
• Conduct provenance research and NAGPRA-related work with Native American Nations.
• Lead digitization and online access projects; provide outreach through tours and classes.

Skills

Provenance research

NAGPRA coordination

Collections care

Digitizing records

Supervising student workers

Job description

The Department of Anthropology at Northern Illinois University is a community of scholars devoted to research, teaching, learning and service. We are a relatively small and student-oriented department. Our goal is to provide students with a broad education across all aspects of anthropology, while also making the student an engaged learner through hands-on research and learning experiences. We prepare students for entry level jobs in fields as diverse as NGOs, government, museums and archaeology, or for advance study through master’s or doctoral programs.

The Pick Museum of Anthropology serves as a teaching museum for the university, providing opportunities for students and faculty to conduct collections research, co-curate exhibitions and enrich curriculum with object-based learning. The Museum cares for a collection of around 30,000 cultural heritage items from around the world, with strengths in Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Indigenous Americas as well as smaller collections representing communities in Africa and Europe. Rooted in a mission to promote deeper appreciation for human diversity, the museum collection’s greatest strength is in its ability to tell stories about everyday life.

Reporting to the director of the Pick Museum of Anthropology, the Curator of Collections is responsible for the care and protection of museum collections, including assisting with the development and implementation of collections policies, maintaining safe storage and gallery facilities, and providing appropriate care of collections. This position is also responsible for collections development including provenance research, review and recommendation of potential acquisitions, and accessioning of accepted materials in consultation with the museum director. The Curator of Collections serves as the NAGPRA contact for the Museum and is responsible for conducting review of Native American collections in the care of Pick Museum and the Department of Anthropology. This involves consulting with Native American Nations and preparing documents relating to the Native American Grave and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The Curator of Collections helps promote and facilitate access and use of museum collections, including leading projects to make collections information available online, digitizing records, leading class visits and tours, and producing content to support the museum’s communication efforts. This position supervises and mentors student workers, interns, and volunteers and serves as a representative of the museum at conferences and professional gatherings.

This is a regular, full-time staff position with a salary range of $46,236-$48,388.80 annually. NIU offers a robust benefits package: https://www.niu.edu/hrs/current-employees/benefits/index.shtml

Applications will be accepted through October 8, 2026.

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability (physical and mental), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (identity and expression), political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person’s disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form: https://www.niu.edu/accessibility/ For further assistance, please contact the office of affirmative action and equal opportunity (AAEO) at [e-mail].