Collection Assistant in Ichthyology
Ichthyology is the branch of zoology concerned with fishes. The collection houses 60,000 cataloged jars containing nearly 2 million specimens of freshwater fish dating back to 1920. Possible future projects may include specimen preparation, a reorganization of our library and database-based projects.
Volunteers will assist in a collection-wide inventory project that involves the reorganization and re-curation of specimens.
Requirements: Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Must be comfortable handling glass jars with alcohol and specimens. Someone that is comfortable using a ladder is preferred, but is not required. Volunteer a minimum of three hours per week.
Available shift hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday-Friday
Collection Assistant in Paleobotany
Paleobotany is the study of fossil plants.
Volunteers assist as part of the Paleobotany Collection team in documenting specimens including helping keep track of both paper and digital files, helping keep track of specimens as they move about the collection, data entry, helping clean/standardize data, assist in comparing data from multiple sources, and print labels/documents. May also be asked to assist collection manager with various hands-on computer-related tasks not specified here.
Requirements: Must commit to volunteer a minimum of 2 hours per week with preference to those able to volunteer in shifts of 2 hours or more.
Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be comfortable handling fossil specimens and using a computer (will train) will become very familiar with Excel and/or Photoshop. Therefore, someone tech-savvy is preferred, but is not required if willing to learn/be trained. Must be self-motivated and a team player with excellent organizational skills and high attention to detail but who can also, when-needed, work independently on projects as trained. Must be able to work while other people/teams are in collection working on other projects and be adaptable/flexible as projects may vary from shift to shift.
Volunteer a minimum of 2 hours per week.
Available shift hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday-Friday.
Collection Assistant in Vertebrate Paleontology
Vertebrate paleontology is the study of prehistoric animals with a backbone. The collection constitutes one of the most important existing records of vertebrate history and evolution in the southern plains.
Volunteers learn general fossil preparation techniques, including micropicking (sorting small fossils from rock under a microscope), airscribing (removing debris using a compressed air pen), correct bonding practices and much more.
Requirements: Training to volunteer in this collection takes place in the spring and fall. The training is $25.
Available shift hours after training: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday-Friday.
