Curatorial Assistant: Herbarium & Living Collections

Artinfoland; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is seeking a Curatorial Assistant II focused on herbarium and living plant collections. The role combines scientific documentation, fieldwork, and curatorial maintenance in a research-driven setting.

Responsibilities include managing herbarium specimens (120,000+), data entry in BG-BASE, barcode systems, and assisting visiting researchers. This on-site, full-time position requires attention to detail and the ability to work in outdoor and laboratory

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of relevant experience in botanical, museum, or collection-based work.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred in botany, horticulture, or a related scientific field.
• U.S. work eligibility required (no visa sponsorship available).
• Ability to conduct outdoor fieldwork in all weather conditions.
• Valid driver’s license required for institutional vehicle use.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and expand herbarium collections (over 120,000 specimens).
• Prepare, mount, and label plant vouchers.
• Data entry, databasing, and digitization of specimens.
• Barcode integration and archival documentation.
• Pest monitoring and specimen preservation protocols.
• Repairing and restoring damaged botanical materials.
• Managing specimen loans and assisting visiting researchers.
• Conduct systematic inventories of living plant collections.
• Update records in BG-BASE plant database systems.
• Support accessioning and plant documentation workflows.
• Produce and maintain plant display labels and records.
• Assist greenhouse and nursery inventory operations.
• Assist staff, scholars, and students with collection access.
• Field-based plant documentation and environmental surveying.

Skills

Attention to detail

Scientific rigor

Strong organizational abilities

Multitasking

Physical stamina

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred in botany, horticulture, or related scientific field

Tools

BG-BASE database

Job description

The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is seeking a Curatorial Assistant II focused on herbarium and living plant collections. The role combines scientific documentation, fieldwork, and curatorial maintenance in a research-driven setting.

Responsibilities include managing herbarium specimens (120,000+), data entry in BG-BASE, barcode systems, and assisting visiting researchers. This on-site, full-time position requires attention to detail and the ability to work in outdoor and laboratory