Te Papa is looking for a driven Curator Vertebrates to join the Museum’s Natural History team.
The Te Papa Natural History team develop, care for, and research collections of plants and animals, documenting the biodiversity of Aotearoa New Zealand, understanding its evolutionary history, and providing the foundations for its protection. Through exhibitions, publications, public programmes and learning programmes, we strengthen public understanding of te taiao, the natural environment.
The Te Papa fish collection comprises more than 260,000 registered and databased specimens. It is the National Fish Collection, being the largest and most comprehensive collection of preserved fishes in Aotearoa New Zealand and the largest collection of New Zealand fish specimens in the world. The collection also includes comprehensive coverage of Southern Ocean species as well the tropical south-west Pacific.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the team as Te Papa further strengthens its commitment to biodiversity research including the development of a new collection and research facility to house and research its fishes and other wet collections. The new facility is expected to open in 2027.
We are looking for a curator that will:
- bring vision and the capability to build a scientific research program to further the identification and understanding of New Zealand’s fish biodiversity
- shape the collections and conduct research in ways that amplify the national and international scientific value of the collection, it’s relevance to iwi, and benefits to commercial and conservation management
- connect audiences with Aotearoa’s natural environment through exhibitions, public programmes and digital channels.
The successful candidate will have a a strong research record, excellent communication skills, a demonstrated ability to engage the public and a commitment to working with iwi and other communities in support of the Te Papa Mana Taonga principle. A PhD, and a track record of peer-reviewed publications that focus on the diversity, relationships, origins and evolution of fishes are required.
Knowledge, experience and qualifications:
Essential:
- Post graduate qualification (PhD)
- Experience in systematics research in relation to Aotearoa New Zealand fishes, or closely related taxa
- Ability to undertake research projects that contribute to the key research themes within Te Papa research and collections strategies
- Fieldwork experience
- Ability and willingness to learn and apply Te Reo Māori and Tikanga Māori in curatorial practice
- An ability to develop relationships with a range of communities, including fostering collaboration and research activities with tangata whenua, and increasing ease of access to Te Papa collections for iwi, hapū and whanau
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of museum curatorial practices
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write succinctly and coherently and give oral presentations in a style appropriate to the target audience
- Experience and comfort in communicating in a range of forms and media to diverse audiences
- ability to work co-operatively and collaboratively as a team member
- Technical knowledge and experience of health and safety procedures for working with collections stored in hazardous substances
Desirable:
- Previous experience leading a long-term research programme
- Previous experience leading a team
- Previous success in securing research funding
- Experienced working in the field, from coastal shore-based to offshore, using small boats and large research vessels
- Experience as a SCUBA diver, and ability to be certified as a NZ Scientific Diver
Applicants must have the ability to obtain and maintain the legal right to work in New Zealand.
From 1 July 2022 appointment to a position at Te Papa will require a declaration of Vaccination Status (confirmation that you are currently ‘up to date’ with vaccination against COVID 19 or, you are not currently vaccinated or ‘up to date’ with vaccination against COVID-19). Future appointees will also need to agree to comply with any future Government or Te Papa mandates or requirements relating to vaccination against COVID-19.
Prior to Te Papa confirming any offer of employment, pre-employment checks will be undertaken including criminal conviction history and reference checking as a minimum.
