Samlingsmedarbejder i marin invertebratzoologi til Statens Naturhistoriske Museum / Collection Manager in marine invertebrate zoology at the Natural History Museum of Denmark

The Natural History Museum of Denmark (NHMD), Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, is seeking a permanent full-time position for a Collection Manager, starting August 01, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter. The candidate will be part of a diverse Collection Management Team across the museum and will report to the Head of the Zoology Collections Unit.

The collections at NHMD are of high scientific relevance; we have both curators who focus on collections-based research and collection managers whose duties are the physical care and maintenance of the collections. Both roles collaborate closely to ensure the continued excellence of the NHMD’s collections. The successful candidate will care for relevant parts of the marine invertebrate collections at NHMD, which are of worldwide importance.

We encourage applicants with various educational and practical backgrounds, be it technical or scientific. Please note, however, that the position does not include opportunities for research.

We are looking for a candidate who shares a passion for nature and recognizes the importance of natural history collections and their long-term preservation.

We offer a professionally challenging and stimulating work environment with committed colleagues in a constantly evolving workplace. Our team prioritizes quality, professionalism, and collaboration.

Due to the current high-profile museum project (see below and https://snm.dk/en/article/new-museum-building), the successful candidate will also participate in the development of major public exhibitions and play a key role in the planning and implementation of an upcoming major move of all collections to new state-of-the-art collections facilities.

Tasks

The successful candidate will care for relevant parts of the marine invertebrate collections at NHMD.

Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:

• Physical care, maintenance, preservation, and security of the collections.
• Improve and update the physical organization of specimen collections.
• Process incoming and outgoing specimens and/or materials, in connection with donations, exchanges, and loans, with appropriate permits and documentation.
• Document the collection through digitization (registrations and imaging), including database management in the Specify system.
• Allocate 20% of working hours to assist in the digitization of collections within the DaSSCo project.
• Stay current in modern techniques in collections management and preservation.
• Coordinate and help with collection visits and tours.
• Work cooperatively with other collection managers, scientific curators, and other museum staff to achieve the highest level of collection care and productivity across organizational units.
• Implement and perform tasks in a prompt, timely, and effective manner. Be attentive to deadlines.
• Train and supervise volunteers and provide service to scientific visitors.
• Select archival materials to improve specimen storage conditions.

Desirable qualifications and skills:

• Education equivalent to a Master’s degree in biology, natural history conservation (conservator), or a comparable field. Other relevant expertise and knowledge about nature and natural history collections will also be considered.
• Documented experience involving day-to-day management and preservation of biological or other natural history collections.
• Working knowledge of marine invertebrate taxonomy, systematics, and natural history.
• Ability to work effectively independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment.
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills related to specimen and data management.
• Good communication skills in both written and spoken forms.
• Standard computer skills, experience with database systems, and willingness to learn new tools and programs.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
• An understanding of relevant international compliance procedures for the import, export, and shipping of scientific specimens.
• Fluency in English (spoken and written).
• Fluency in Danish (spoken and written) or a commitment to learning Danish to reach a working language level.
• Driver’s license.

About us

Natural history museums have never been more important. The impact of climate change and anthropogenic forces on biodiversity has reached a critical point. We need action to build a more sustainable relationship with nature. The Natural History Museum of Denmark is the national museum for nature. We work to empower citizens to connect with nature with the aim of creating positive change for life on Earth. We want to inspire, engage, and enable people to enjoy, understand, and care for the diversity of the natural world.

We are currently building a new Danish national museum for nature. One big museum site, in the Botanical Garden in the centre of Copenhagen, will host state-of-the-art laboratories, outstanding research collections, new public galleries, and combined facilities for programming, education, and citizen science. Over the next few years, the museum aims to change the way people think about and use natural history museums.

The zoological collections contain approximately 10 million specimens from all over the world, collected over a time span of 400 years. The zoological collections are divided into vertebrates, invertebrates, and entomology. The marine invertebrate collections comprise over 630,000 specimens.

Terms of salary and employment

If you hold an academic degree the employment terms and salary are set in accordance with the Circular on the Collective Agreement concerning academics in the state sector concluded between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).

Employment will be as an academic employee. The salary is based on seniority. Negotiation for a salary supplement is possible. The working time is 37 hours per week on average. The specific working hours have some flexibility.

If you are not holding an academic degree the employment will be made in accordance with the Collective Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Organisations of Public Employees – governmental institutions (the OAO-S collective agreement) and the Professional Agreement for clerical employees, laboratory technicians and IT-officers in the state.

Your application

If you find the job interesting, please send an electronic application in English with attachments of CV, a letter of motivation describing how your experience, knowledge, and interest qualify you for this position, and documentation of education via Jobportalen (click on the link "Apply Now" at the bottom of the post) no later than 8 April 2025. Interviews are expected to take place in late April/early May.

The University of Copenhagen seeks to reflect society and encourages applications irrespective of personal background.

Additional information

More information about the position can be obtained from Head of Collections, Laura Pavesi ([email protected]), phone +45 35321179 or Collections Manager Tom Schiøtte ([email protected]), phone +45 35321048.

More general information about the Natural History Museum of Denmark is available from our website (Statens Naturhistoriske Museum)

The Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen – or SCIENCE – is Denmark's largest science research and education institution with 4,000 employees and 9,700 Bachelor and Master's students in 12 departments. The Faculty has an annual budget of DKK 3 billion.

Learn more about The Faculty of Science at https://science.ku.dk/english/.