Curatorial Associate

Cornell University; Town of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 84,386,000 - 90,719,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care options

Generous retirement contributions

Paid time off & holidays

Job summary

Cornell University’s L. H. Bailey Hortorium Herbarium seeks a Curatorial Associate to oversee all aspects of herbarium collection curation, processing, cataloging, data management, and conservation.

You will manage loans, update nomenclature, assist with digital collection initiatives, and train students and volunteers in a demanding, on-site environment. You will engage with researchers, provide lectures, and help drive research outputs, while maintaining safety protocols and high standards of

Qualifications

• Graduate degree (M.Sc. or Ph.D.) in Botany, Biology, Information Science, Museum Studies, or a related field.
• At least three years with preserved plant specimens, digital imaging, herbarium DB management, and barcode systems.
• Knowledge of botanical classification, nomenclature, and world geography.
• Expertise in identifying North American flora, especially New York flora, and cultivated U.S. flora.
• Experience with plant identification, descriptions, and related botanical content.
• Experience with independent research on New York and cultivated floras and publishable outputs.
• Proficiency with digital imaging, specimen data, image databasing, and barcode records.
• Experience with general herbarium curation and specimen annotation/maintenance.
• Ability to work with students, faculty, staff, community members.

Responsibilities

• Manage and curate the Herbarium’s botanical collections and extensive materials.
• Oversee processing, accessioning, documentation, imaging, data entry, and database management.
• Handle incoming/outgoing loans and assist with loan requests fulfillment.
• Update taxonomic nomenclature and annotate specimen names.
• Perform routine insect control and ensure safety protocols.
• Develop strategies to improve preservation, organization, and efficiency.
• Coordinate with the Digital Curator on digital collection management.
• Recruit, train, and supervise undergraduates, interns, volunteers.
• Engage with institutions and NY projects for diagnostics and outreach.
• Deliver guest lectures and presentations; participate in conferences.

Skills

Botany knowledge

Nomenclature knowledge

Geography knowledge

Plant identification

Research experience

Digital imaging

Herbarium curation

Interpersonal skills

Education

Master's or PhD in Botany / Biology / Information Science / Museum Studies

Tools

Symbiota

iDigBio

Arctos

Job description

The Opportunity

The Curatorial Associate oversees all aspects of herbarium collection curation in accordance with established museum standards. Responsibilities include processing and cataloging incoming specimens and archives, managing collection data, maintaining systematic organization, and performing routine care and conservation. The position also evaluates collection standards and develops strategies to improve the physical condition of the collection, streamline processes, and enhance overall efficiency.

About The L. H. Bailey Hortorium Herbarium

The L. H. Bailey Hortorium Herbarium at Cornell University houses more than 950,000 preserved plant specimens collected from around the world, making it one of the largest university-affiliated herbaria in North America. The Herbarium supports botanical and horticultural research, education, and discovery through the preservation and advancement of its extensive collections. It provides unique field- and museum-based learning opportunities for Cornell students and the broader community. Looking ahead, the Herbarium is exploring innovative approaches to extended specimens, research, and experiential learning.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and curate the Herbarium’s botanical collections, including more than 950,000 dried vascular and nonvascular plant specimens, native and cultivated material, and other special collections.
• Oversee the preparation, processing, accessioning, documentation, imaging, data entry, database management, specimen mapping, systematic organization, and routine conservation of herbarium materials in accordance with accepted museum standards.
• Manage incoming and outgoing loans, including filing incoming loans, accessioning new material, and assisting with the fulfillment of loan requests.
• Update taxonomic nomenclature and annotate specimen names on existing herbarium materials.
• Perform routine insect control, including the freezing of specimens, and ensure collection management practices comply with applicable safety protocols and procedures.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve the physical condition, preservation, organization, and efficiency of the collection.
• Provide day-to-day direction to the Digital Curator in coordinating digital collection management and development.
• Establish work priorities and direct staffing to accomplish the herbarium goals and objectives; recruit, train, and manage undergraduates, interns, and volunteers.
• Interface with other institutions and major New York State projects such as the New York Flora Association; is the primary resource for plant identification service (diagnostics) and handles requests from NY county extension agents, agriculturists, horticulturists departments and the general public.
• Deliver guest lectures and seminars for Cornell courses and presentations to plant-focused organizations.
• Present research and professional work at conferences and professional meetings.
• Conduct tours, demonstrations, workshops, and educational programs for Cornell classes, outside organizations, and other visitors.
• Lead field trips to local natural areas and provide botanical and herbarium-related instruction.
• Engage in herbarium research-related activities, including and authoring scholarly publications and reports.
• Manage herbarium budgets, purchase materials and supplies, maintain records on collection use and growth, and prepare annual reports.

What We Need

• Graduate degree (M.Sc. or Ph.D.) in Botany, Biology, Information Science, Museum Studies, or a related field..
• At least three years of experience working with preserved plant specimens or managing a plant collection, including digital imaging of specimens, herbarium database management, and management of a barcode system as it pertains to standard modern herbarium practice.
• Knowledge of botanical classification, nomenclature, and world geography.
• Knowledge and demonstrated expertise in identifying North American flora, particularly the flora of New York State, as well as cultivated flora of the United States.
• General knowledge and skills in plant identification, plant descriptions, and developing related botanical content.
• Experience conducting independent, directed research related to New York and cultivated floras and the ability to develop research findings into publishable content.
• Knowledge of and proficiency with digital imaging of specimens, specimen data and image databasing, and barcode record-keeping.
• Experience with general herbarium curation, including established methods for specimen annotation, organization, and maintenance.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Required Training For People Leaders

• Must complete Cornell University Supervisory Development Training within one year of hire into the position. Recommendations: Turning Point and Harold Craft.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it’s ok if you don’t.

• Field experience with specimen collection, preparation, and archiving, both nationally and internationally.
• Experience with specimen imaging (e.g., high-resolution 3-D digital images, CT scans, etc.) storage and archiving digital image files, and image analysis.
• Experience with analysis and management of spatial data (georeferencing, GIS, etc.).
• Experience with collection management databases and online aggregators (Symbiota, iDigBio, Arctos, etc.).
• Experience with curation of extended (holistic) specimens.
• Ability to maintain a website.
• Experience with grant preparation and administration, including budget management.
• Experience supervising undergraduate students.

This is a full-time (39 hours/week) position that is based in Ithaca, NY and fully on-site. Core hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm. The final schedule will be established in collaboration with the supervisor. This is a one-year term appointment that is contingent upon available work, funding, and performance.

Rewards And Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition‑free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

University Job Title

Collections Asst V

Job Family

Library/Museum

Level

E

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Range

$29.45 - $31.66

Remote Option Availability

Onsite

Company

Contract College

Contact Name

Keionda Lewis

Contact Email

[e-mail]

Job Titles And Pay Ranges

Non-Union Positions

Noted Pay Ranges Reflect The Potential Pay Opportunity For Each Job Profile. The Hiring Rate Of Pay For The Successful Candidate Will Be Determined Considering The Following Criteria

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

Current Employees

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

Employment Assistance

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [e-mail].

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing [e-mail].

EEO Statement

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-08-20