Position Overview
Consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top public universities offering a paleontology program, the University of Kansas Division of Vertebrate Paleontology (DVP) at the BI/NHM maintains a research collection of roughly 160,000 fossil vertebrate specimens and their associated data. Members of the DVP research staff conduct field and laboratory research aimed at enhancing our knowledge of the world's prehistoric vertebrates (including their global diversity, phylogeny, macroevolutionary patterns, historical biogeography, morphology, paleoecology and behavior). Historical collection strengths include Paleozoic fishes and early tetrapods, Western Interior Seaway vertebrates, and Cenozoic mammals of the West and Great Plains. Current research in the DVP focuses on international and domestic early Cenozoic mammals.

The Preparator for the DVP at the Biodiversity Institute supports the research and educational goals of the Division by preparing fossil material collected from the field and creating high quality replicas of vertebrate fossils to be used in research, teaching, and exhibits. Senior staff in this position provide additional duties by coordinating administrative, financial, personnel, and planning activities related to these efforts.

Job Description
50% - Preparation of vertebrate fossils using microscopic and macroscopic techniques to professional standards. Pack, unpack, transport, clean, mend, and consolidate vertebrate fossils using best practices in the field of paleontology. Model, fabricate, and restore damaged or missing parts of fossil specimens with anatomical accuracy suitable for teaching, research, and exhibit uses. Use various casting and molding, CT/surface scanning media techniques to reproduce exact replicas of rare or uncommon specimens of vertebrate fossils for research, teaching, exhibits, and exchanges with other research institutions both domestic and international.

20% - Research: General research into techniques for the preparation, study, and conservation of vertebrate fossils. In coordination with DVP faculty-curators and other members, contribute to DVP field and laboratory research projects , including collaboration with collections staff after fieldwork to database material collected by providing field notes, GPS coordinates, and field collection IDs. Research productivity will be evaluated using standard metrics including peer-reviewed publications, professional presentations, and submission of external grant proposals.

15% - Supervise students: Supervise and teach graduate and undergraduate students in the skills and techniques of locating, identifying, excavating, preparing, molding and casting vertebrate fossils while modeling best practices related to the collection and preservation of associated contextual data.

10% - Public Outreach: Supervise volunteer program in the lab; participate in behind-the-scenes tours and other outreach activities related to paleontology in coordination with public education and exhibits staff at the KU Natural History Museum; communicate effectively with the public to stimulate interest in vertebrate paleontology; identify vertebrate fossils for interested persons.

5% - Administrative duties: Participate in miscellaneous administrative duties, support visiting scientists, and assist curators and collection manager in unspecified business for the DVP.
Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in geology or biology.
2. Three (3) years of experience in paleontological field investigations, fossil preparation, and/or working within a vertebrate paleontological collection.
3. Knowledge of the principles, methods, techniques, and materials used in collection, preparation, molding, casting, and cataloging of vertebrate fossils as evidenced by application materials.
4. Knowledge of vertebrate anatomy and the fossil record as evidenced by application materials.
5. Work experience using specialized tools and equipment used in the collection, study, preparation of vertebrate fossils as evidenced by application materials.
6. Excellent communication skills as demonstrated in application materials.
7. Experience communicating effectively with students and the public as shown in application materials.
8. Work experience that required organizational skills, attention to detail, initiative, managing responsibilities, working effectively and efficiently as a team member, and working independently as shown in application materials.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.
Preferred Qualifications

1. Graduate degree in geology or biology.
2. Experience participating as a team member in field and laboratory research on fossil specimens as evidenced by application materials.
3. Basic understanding of legal issues related to the collection and management of fossil vertebrates, including federal collecting permits and other issues related to working on public lands in the USA as indicated by application materials.

Contact Information to Applicants
Chris Beard
chris.beard@ku.edu
785-864-4185
Additional Candidate Instruction
In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
• Resume
• List of three (3) professional references

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review begins Monday July 21, 2025
Advertised Salary Range
$52,000-60,000 commensurate with experience
Application Review Begins
21-Jul-2025
Anticipated Start Date
15-Sep-2025
Primary Campus
University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
FTE
1.0
Reg/Temp
Regular
FLSA Status
Nonexempt
Employee Class
U-Unclassified Professional Staff
Work Location Assignment
On-Site
Disclaimer
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.