Paleontology Digitization Technician

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 18,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Utah seeks a Paleontology Digitization Technician to image and databank paleontology specimens and photographs for a major digitization project. You will work with the team to upload media into EMu and DAMS, maintain meticulous records, and transcribe data from field notes and specimens.

The role involves careful handling of fragile documents, collaborating with a project manager and staff, and contributing to making collections accessible to researchers and the public.

Qualifications

• Equivalency statement: 1 year of higher education can substitute for 1 year of directly related work experience.
• Research Technician I: low or no related experience required.

Responsibilities

• Imaging specimens and recording data.
• Scanning records, photos, and maps.
• Uploading media and data into EMu Collections Management System.
• Keep clear records of all imaging work.
• Transcribing data from specimens, documents, and photos.
• Ensure work is accurate and error-free.

Skills

Camera operation

Excel

Attention to detail

Independent work

Microsoft Suite

Adobe Suite

Education

Equivalency: 1 year higher education substituted for 1 year related work

Tools

Nikon

Canon

EMu

Job description

Paleontology Digitization Technician

Job Summary

The Natural History Museum of Utah has an ongoing initiative todigitize 350,000 natural history specimens, artifacts, and records.Aligning with this initiative is a recent IMLS (the Institute ofMuseum and Library Services) grant to fund the digitization offossil specimens and associated records from the Cleveland-LloydDinosaur Quarry. The goal of this project is to photograph over12,000 fossils and to digitize catalogs, photographs, field notes,and other archival from this collection. The data will be storedand managed in the Collections Management Database System, Emu, aswell as in the Digital Asset Management System, DAMS. As part ofour initiative, we are seeking a University of Utah undergraduatestudent as our Paleontology Digitization Technician. As adigitization technician, you will be an important member of theteam working towards preserving records in perpetuity and makingcollections globally available to researchers and the public. Thisposition is responsible for imaging, databasing, and filingpaleontology specimens, documents, and photographs. The technicianwill collaborate with the Collections Digitization Coordinator, thePaleontology Collections Manager, and the IMLS ProjectManager.

Responsibilities

• Taking images of specimens
• Scanning records, photographs, and maps
• Uploading media and data into our Collections Management SystemEMu
• Keep clear records of all work done regarding the imagingproject
• Transcribing data found on specimens, documents, andphotographs
• Ensuring that work is error free and completed accurately
• Handling fragile and scientifically valuable records with extremecare

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience(Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related workexperience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following joblevels:

Research Technician, I: Requires little to norelated experience.

Preferences

• Background in Paleontology, Geology, or related field
• Has knowledge of anatomy
• Has experience using a camera and associated equipment (i.e.Nikon, Canon, etc.)
• Knowledge of Excel
• Has an interest in a museum or collections career
• Able to commit to a full academic year (fall and springsemesters)
• Self-motivated and able to work independently as well as part ofa team
• Have incredible attention to detail and is highly organized
• Ability to problem-solve (troubleshoot) independently. However,you have a professional ability to communicate, and ask directedquestions to ensure that the job is being completed efficiently andappropriately
• Willing and able to complete repetitive, yet detail-orientedtasks
• Have the ability to work in various computer programs (especiallyMicrosoft and Adobe Suite) and easily learn new programs

Special Instructions

This position is open ONLY to students who are currently enrolledat the University of Utah.

Requisition Number: PRN17515N

Full Time or Part Time? Part Time

Work Schedule Summary: This person will be expected to workduring the work week days Monday – Friday between9:00am-5:00pm.

Department: 00018 - Utah Museum of Natl Hist Oper

Location: Campus

Pay Rate Range: 15.60

Close Date: 10/19/2026

Open Until Filled: