Research Technician Senior - Rabosky Lab

Research Technician Senior - Rabosky Lab

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

This position supports a funded research project within the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology (UMMZ), Division of Reptiles & Amphibians, focused on accessioning, digitizing, and integrating a large, recently acquired collection of preserved snake specimens (the Arnold-Houck acquisition; >50,000 specimens).

The primary function of the role is to ensure that specimens and associated data are accurately accessioned into the museum's central collections database and are available for downstream research applications, including evolutionary and genomic analyses. The position combines some elements of collections management, data curation, and technical imaging support.

The technician will work under the general supervision of the Principal Investigator and collections staff but is expected to operate with precision in executing established workflows, managing day-to-day priorities, and maintaining data quality standards.

• Accession ~25,000 reptile and amphibian specimens into the UMMZ collections, including sorting, labeling, and physical integration into existing holdings
• Digitize specimen-associated data from field notes and archival materials (including high-volume transcription and data entry)
• Perform georeferencing of specimen localities using established standard biodiversity informatics protocols
• Conduct data validation and quality control to ensure accuracy, consistency, and reproducibility of records
• Manage and curate associated ecological and biological metadata (e.g., prey records, habitat, behavior)
• Maintain and update records within museum database systems (e.g., Specify or similar platforms)
• Coordinate undergraduate student assistants contributing to digitization and accessioning workflows
• Assist with selection, preparation, and tracking of specimens for micro
  
  CT imaging workflows, including coordination with imaging facilities as needed
• Document and refine workflows to ensure consistency and long-term usability of digitized data

• Works independently within a narrow scope on assigned workflows following established museum standards and project protocols
• Exercises some judgment in resolving routine data inconsistencies, prioritizing tasks, and maintaining throughput, consulting with the PI on more complex data issues, workflow changes, or exceptions to standard protocols
• Provides day-to-day supervision and task direction for undergraduate assistants

• Bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, museum studies, natural resources, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience with biodiversity specimen digitization, accessioning, or collections data management