Herbarium Collections Lead - Research & Outreach

SPNHC; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Job summary

The TENN herbarium at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville seeks a detail-oriented Herbarium Collections Manager to oversee plant and fungal biodiversity curation, records, and accessibility.

This full-time role leads undergraduate students and volunteers, coordinates outreach and public tours, and collaborates with the TENN Director to advance collections goals. Initial appointment is six months from Oct 1, 2026, with extension based on performance.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited university in Plant Sciences, Botany, Ecology, Biology, Horticulture, or related field
• 1-3 years of herbarium/botanical experience
• Knowledge of botanical museum principles, practices, and procedures
• Strong interpersonal communication skills with the ability to lead a team of volunteer and student assistants to complete collection management projects
• Sound reasoning, analytical thought, attention to detail, creativity, high levels of organization, and innovation in solving minor problems
• Proficiency with computer software (e.g., Word, Excel, Photoshop, Dreamweaver)

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day management, preservation, and accessibility of this biodiversity collection, which includes specimen curation, record keeping, and monitoring specimen inflow/outflow
• Hire, train, schedule, and supervise members of the public as herbarium volunteers and undergraduate student curation technicians
• Supervise and teach undergraduate student interns enrolled in the Herbarium Internship course
• Respond to inquiries from university community, visiting researchers, agencies, and the public
• Perform outreach and science communication through herbarium social media pages/feeds
• Conduct tours for visiting scholars, students, and the public
• Manage the TENN website to share plant information with internet users worldwide
• Upload data to and manage online databases containing information on specimens in the TENN collection
• Manage and track applications and final reports for research funds overseen by the EEB Collections Committee

Skills

Botanical museum principles

Team leadership

Attention to detail

Microsoft Word

Excel

Photoshop

Dreamweaver

Education

Master’s degree in Plant Sciences/Botany/Ecology/Biology/Horticulture or related field

1-3 years herbarium/botanical experience

PhD (preferred) in Plant Sciences, Botany, Ecology, Biology, Horticulture or related field

Tools

Word

Excel

Photoshop

Dreamweaver

Job description

The TENN herbarium at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville seeks a detail-oriented Herbarium Collections Manager to oversee plant and fungal biodiversity curation, records, and accessibility.

This full-time role leads undergraduate students and volunteers, coordinates outreach and public tours, and collaborates with the TENN Director to advance collections goals. Initial appointment is six months from Oct 1, 2026, with extension based on performance.