Vertebrate Paleontology Curator & Assistant Professor

Idaho State University; Pocatello (ID); Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability plan

Employee assistance program (EAP)

Retirement options

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Idaho State University in Pocatello invites applications for a joint-appointed Museum Curator/tenure-track Assistant Professor in Vertebrate Paleontology to begin August 2027. The appointment spans the Idaho Museum of Natural History and the Department of Biological Sciences, with a 2/3 IMNH and 1/3 Biology split.

Candidates must hold a PhD in biology or geology by Aug 2027, have museum collections management experience, teaching record, and a strong paleontological research program.

Qualifications

• PhD in Biology, Geology or related discipline by August 2027.
• Experience in Museum Collections Management.
• Evidence of teaching experience.
• Demonstrated scholarship in paleontological research.

Responsibilities

• Provide curatorial oversight of Earth Sciences and vertebrate collections.
• Develop a vision for growth and engage students and the public.
• Teach vertebrate paleontology, comparative vertebrate anatomy, and seminars.
• Build a collaborative, extramurally funded research program.

Skills

Vertebrate paleontology

Teaching experience

Public engagement

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

PhD in Biology or Geology

Tools

Museum Collections Management

Job description

Thank you for your interest in positions at Idaho State University. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by logging into your profile and reviewing your status. For answers to additional questions, please review our frequently asked questions.

Curator/Assistant Professor, Idaho Museum of Natural History & Biological Sciences (3756)
Pocatello - Main
NOT eligible for remote work, on-campus position
Priority Date: October 30, 2026

Institution Information

Idaho State University, established in 1901, is aCarnegie-classified doctoral research and teaching institution, with a culturebuilt on trust, compassion, stability, and hope. ISU serves over 12,000students in Pocatello, Meridian, Twin Falls, and Idaho Falls. Students andfaculty at ISU are leading the way in cutting-edge research and innovativesolutions. We are proud to offer exceptional academics nestled in the grand,natural beauty of the West. We invite you to apply to be a part of ourUniversity community!

Job Description

The Idaho Museum of Natural History and the Department of Biological Sciences at Idaho State University invite applications for a joint-appointed Museum Curator/tenure-track Assistant Professor in Vertebrate Paleontology to begin August 2027. IMNH and ISU share a common mission to provide and nurture opportunities for understanding living systems through high-quality public education, scientific discovery, and service. The successful candidate will have a doctorate in the biological or earth sciences with substantial, documented experience and training in vertebrate paleontology and collections management. Postdoctoral experience is preferred. Startup funds are available.

IMNH is the official natural history museum for Idaho and has 10 staff members, employs dozens of student internships, and cares for over 1.5M specimens in life, earth, and anthropological sciences. The Earth Science collection includes a Federal repository with existing strengths in Miocene to Pleistocene mammals.

The Department of Biological Sciences has over 25 faculty members specializing in sub-disciplines of the biological sciences and serves over 500 undergraduate majors and over 40 graduate students.

This position is not eligible for new visa sponsorship at this time. Candidates who already hold valid U.S. work authorization may be considered.

Key Responsibilities

The joint appointment workload is structured 2/3 time for the IMNH and 1/3 time for the Department of Biological Sciences. Duties comprise research, curation, teaching, and service. The successful candidate will be expected to provide curatorial oversight of the Earth Sciences Division and vertebrate collections of the Life Sciences Division. This role includes developing a vision and direction for growth, increasing student and public engagement, and creative integration of these collections with other branches of the Museum and associated functions (e.g., Idaho Virtualization Lab). Research specialty is open, with preference for candidates whose research addresses large-scale questions, is rooted in field- and specimen-based evidence, and holds potential to build collections at the Museum. They will provide content expertise for Museum programming, public lectures, and exhibits.

In the Biological Sciences Department, the successful candidate will be expected to build a collaborative, interdisciplinary, and extramurally funded research program in vertebrate paleontology that involves mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. Teaching responsibilities for this position will include vertebrate paleontology, comparative vertebrate anatomy, seminars and other courses in the candidate’s area of expertise or in core curriculum.

The Museum and the Department of Biological Sciences have a high expectation for collegiality and shared responsibility to meet institutional vision and goals.

Minimum Qualifications

1. PhD in Biology, Geology or related discipline by August 2027.
2. Experience in Museum Collections Management.
3. Evidence of teaching experience.
4. Demonstrated scholarship in paleontological research.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Postdoctoral experience.
2. More than 2 years of Collections Management or Curator experience.
3. Demonstrated success in attracting extramural research funding.
4. Evidence of public engagement.
5. Experience working within a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.
6. Demonstrated success in recruiting and working with students.
7. Experience in Intermountain West paleontology.

Additional Information

You must submit your CV/resume, cover letter, and list ofthree (3) professional references, including current contact information. Thisposition will remain open until it is filled; however, priority considerationwill be given to applications received on or beforeOctober 30, 2026. Salary will be $68,000 per year,commensurate with education and experience. Benefits include comprehensivehealth, dental, and vision; life insurance; disability plan; employee assistanceprogram (EAP); excellent retirement options and company contribution; andgenerous paid time off/sick leave accrual. All offers of employment areconditional pending the successful completion of a background investigation,provided by HireRight.

Note:Thank you for your interest in positions at Idaho State University. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by logging into your profile and reviewing your status. For answers to additional questions, please review our frequently asked questions.

Posting Number: req2792
Type: Working 9 months per year
Position: Faculty Tenure Track
Division: Idaho Museum Natural History

Idaho State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Idaho State University is committed to access and reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact [e-mail].

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.

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