Job description

Summary: The Curator will build on and strengthen the Missouri Botanical Garden’s programs in plant systematics, taxonomy and conservation, with a focus on Latin American plants. The individual holding this position will take a leadership role in identifying significant research questions and performing independent research and analysis to answer these questions. In particular, the Curator will guide the development of projects aimed at solving practical problems in plant systematics with special emphasis in taxonomy, evolution, ecology, biogeography and conservation. The successful candidate will have floristic knowledge and basic identification skills for Latin American plants, and have experience in the study of at least one plant family.

The successful candidate may provide leadership to staff in the herbarium support team and provide guidance for their professional development. The individual will develop collaborations with other scientists and other professionals, will take an active role in advising graduate and undergraduate students. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: • Takes leadership role in designing and implementing research on practical and basic questions in plant systematics with special emphasis in taxonomy, and evolution. • Initiates, conducts and leads independent research and publishes results via electronic resources, books, peer reviewed journals and other media.

• Conducts curatorial duties, including collecting, identifying and filing specimens, data management, and initiating and conducting taxonomic revisions and monographs. • Identifies potential funding sources and writes grant proposals to secure external funding for MBG programs and projects. • Provides leadership and direction as the subject matter expert to at least one staff in the herbarium support team, including training, development and supervision of staff and volunteers. • Attracts new collaborators and develops partnerships with organizations, establishing cooperative agreements for strengthening science and conservation programs, as appropriate.
• Develops and maintains an active field research program. • Participates in scientific meetings and delivers lectures to professional organizations and to the general public, as requested. • Reviews grant proposals, journal articles, institutional reports, and publicity materials. • Writes and/or edits scientific books, papers and grant/contract proposals.
• Leads and serves on scientific panels/committees, as requested. • Prepares reports and summaries evaluating effectiveness of programs and projects. • Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed; informs employees/students/volunteers of safety guidelines, methods to reduce hazards. Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within our division and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and employees. • Performs other duties as assigned. Supervisory Responsibilities: This position may have supervisory responsibilities. Competencies: • Communication: Combines listening skills, verbal and written communication skills and visitor relation skills.
• Collaboration: Incorporates teamwork, mutual respect, active engagement, cooperation and visitor focus. • Accountability: Initiative to take ownership of responsibilities, the ability to prioritize and the working knowledge and skills to take action. • Problem Solving: Blends problem solving skills, judgement and decision making skills along with creativity and resourcefulness. Qualifications/Experience: • Minimum three (3) years’ experience in one or more of the following fields: plant systematics, taxonomy, evolution.
• Proven publication record. • Floristic knowledge and plant identification skills, and have experience in the study of at least one plant family. • Experience and expertise working with Latin American plants is highly desired. • Minimum management experience.
• Some understanding of financial budget development/management and forecasting process. • Demonstrated experience in seeking external funding, including negotiation. • Experience writing scientific papers, grant proposals and reports. • Familiarity with the publishing process, botanical literature and library facilities.
• Willingness and flexibility to conduct field work. • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; professionalism; ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, to listen and get clarification and to respond well to questions; is tactful and treats others with respect. • Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels; ability to work with diverse teams, including international colleagues. • Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 25% of time.
• Scheduling flexibility is required to work evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed. • The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers, and guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive COVID-19 vaccinations by hire date, and the Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on community health department guidelines. When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain visas, vaccinations, and immunizations as required for all countries where travel is necessary.
• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required. Education: • Ph.D. in plant systematics, taxonomy, evolution, biogeography or related fields required. • An equivalent combination of education, skills and experience may be considered.

Other Skills and Abilities: Exceptional public speaking skills required. Language Skills: Ability to communicate effectively in English (oral/written); skills with other languages, especially Spanish, highly desirable. Mathematical Skills: • Advanced college math aptitude - requires the ability to perform algebra/calculus equations, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages and decimals, etc. • Ability to work with statistics.

• Ability to analyze budgets. Reasoning Ability: • Requires ability to conduct independent research and to actively participate in team work; apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution; represent the interests and projects a positive image of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Computer Skills: • Computer simulation skills are particularly desirable. • Proficiency using Microsoft Office Word and Excel programs required; strong working knowledge of Outlook features required and PowerPoint preferred.
• Solid Internet research skills. • Ability to use e-mail to communicate with Garden staff in order to answer questions and service their needs. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: • Must possess valid driver’s license prior to employment. • Must be able to obtain and maintain a passport for international travel.
• Must be able to obtain visas, vaccinations and immunizations for all countries where travel is required. Physical Demands: • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. • Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing) and sit for extended periods of the work day. • Operates copier, printer, fax, and computer.
• Ability to walk about facility frequently throughout work day, and sit for extended periods of the work day (may sit up to 50% of work day). • Ability to travel independently for long periods on airplanes, trains and other conveyances both domestic and international. • Ability to walk, stand, kneel, or climb as required and move about for extended periods of time. • Physical fitness necessary for field studies involving multi-week hikes/rides/camping in difficult terrain.
• May be required to perform tasks at varying heights and at high altitudes. • Ability to understand field safety requirements and wear personal protective equipment, as needed. • Ability to work in extreme weather conditions. • May require working long hours to meet deadlines.

Work Environment: • Office and laboratory environment in St. Louis and overseas; overseas assignments, including in developing countries and/or in remote and rugged regions. • Outdoor setting; ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions (i.e., in temperatures over 100°F as well as temperatures below 0°F, in rain, snow and other inclement weather conditions as needed). • Comfortable working in immediate proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions.

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden: • Garden employees and volunteers • Collaborators, Guests and International Scientists • Professional Organizations • Governmental Officials • Colleges/Universities Required Documents: Applicants should submit a current CV and cover letter. Letters of recommendation may be requested but are not required for the initial application. Application Deadline: All application materials must be received by December 31st, 2022, to guarantee consideration. However, the position will remain open until filled.

Please email Dr. Jordan Teisher, Curator and Director of the Herbarium, at jteisher@mobot.org with any questions about this position

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