Paleontology Digitization Technician

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 19,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Utah seeks an undergraduate Paleontology Digitization Technician to image, databasing, and file paleontology specimens, documents, and photos. You will collaborate with the Collections Digitization Coordinator, Paleontology Collections Manager, and the IMLS Project Manager.

Responsibilities include imaging, transcribing, and uploading data into EMu, maintaining careful records, and handling delicate artifacts with precision during the digitization initiative.

Qualifications

• Equivalency statement: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience.

Responsibilities

• Taking images of specimens
• Scanning records, photographs, and maps
• Uploading media and data into EMu
• Keep clear records of all work done regarding the imaging project
• Transcribing data found on specimens, documents, and photographs
• Ensuring that work is error free and completed accurately
• Handling fragile and scientifically valuable records with extreme care

Skills

Camera operation

Excel

Attention to detail

Education

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

Tools

Adobe Suite

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

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

Announcement

Details

Open Date

Open Date 10/06/2026

Requisition Number

Requisition Number PRN17515N

Job Title

Job Title Research Technicians

Working Title

Career Progression Track S00

Track Level S1 - Entry Level Support

FLSA Code

FLSA Code Nonexempt

Patient Sensitive Job Code?

Patient Sensitive Job Code? No

Type

Temporary?

Temporary? Yes

Standard Hours per Week 10

Full Time or Part Time?

Full Time or Part Time? Part Time

Shift

Shift Day

Work Schedule Summary

This person will be expected to work during the work week days Monday – Friday between 9:00am-5:00pm.

Is this a work study job?

Is this a work study job? No

VP Area

VP Area Academic Affairs

Department

Department 00018 - Utah Museum of Natl Hist Oper

Location

Location Campus

City

City Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment

Type of Recruitment External Posting

Pay Rate Range

Pay Rate Range 15.60

Close Date

Close Date 10/19/2026

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)

Job Summary

The Natural History Museum of Utah has an ongoing initiative to digitize 350,000 natural history specimens, artifacts, and records. Aligning with this initiative is a recent IMLS (the Institute of Museum and Library Services) grant to fund the digitization of fossil specimens and associated records from the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry. The goal of this project is to photograph over 12,000 fossils and to digitize catalogs, photographs, field notes, and other archival from this collection. The data will be stored and managed in the Collections Management Database System, Emu, as well as in the Digital Asset Management System, DAMS . As part of our initiative, we are seeking a University of Utah undergraduate student as our Paleontology Digitization Technician. As a digitization technician, you will be an important member of the team working towards preserving records in perpetuity and making collections globally available to researchers and the public. This position is responsible for imaging, databasing, and filing paleontology specimens, documents, and photographs. The technician will collaborate with the Collections Digitization Coordinator, the Paleontology Collections Manager, and the IMLS Project Manager.

Responsibilities

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

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 work experience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:

Research Technician, I: Requires little to no related 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 spring semesters)
• Self-motivated and able to work independently as well as part of a 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 directed questions to ensure that the job is being completed efficiently and appropriately
• Willing and able to complete repetitive, yet detail-oriented tasks
• Have the ability to work in various computer programs (especially Microsoft and Adobe Suite) and easily learn new programs

Special Instructions Summary

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

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at [phone] for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at [phone] or [phone] or University Human Resource Management at [phone] if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX ( OEO ). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page .
Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu
https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * What is your highest level of completed education?
  • None
  • High School Diploma or Equivalent
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree
  • Doctorate Degree
• * How many years of related work experience do you have?
  • Less than 2 years
  • 2 years or more, but less than 4 years
  • 4 years or more, but less than 6 years
  • 6 years or more, but less than 8 years
  • 8 years or more, but less than 10 years
  • 10 years or more, but less than 12 years
  • 12 years or more, but less than 14 years
  • 14 years or more
• Are you currenly enrolled at the University of Utah?
  • Yes
  • No
  • Will be attending the U of U Fall semester 2013

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

University Human Resource Management
250 East 200 South, Suite 125 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Contact us: [phone] By Email: [e-mail]