Paleontology Digital Collections and Field Specialist

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27133

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

John Scannella

406-994-3982

[email protected] (%[email protected])

Classification Title Program/Project Lead

Working Title Paleontology Digital Collections and Field Specialist

Brief Position Overview

Museum of the Rockies at Montana State University is seeking a skilled digital collections and field technician who has experience in surface scanning fossils, processing digital scan data, and excavating large vertebrate fossils to join its renowned team of paleontology professionals.

Position Number 4C0695

Department Museum of the Rockies

Division Museum of the Rockies

Appointment Type Professional

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA Exempt

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible Eligible

Salary $56,000 - $59,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications

Contract Type LOA

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

Museum of the Rockies has earned an international reputation for its paleontology research and is renowned for its field research program. MOR holds one of the largest collections of dinosaur fossils collected in the United States and is designated as a repository for specimens collected on federal and state lands. As part of MOR’s experienced paleontology staff, the Paleontology Digital Collections and Field Specialist will contribute to the program through collecting digital specimen data, field excavations, and informal education.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Paleontology Digital Collections and Field Specialist reports to the Paleontology Collections Manager-Registrar and the Paleontology Field Manager.

• Duties consist of collecting digital specimen data, entering data into the MOR collections database, developing digital resource protocols, producing archival 3-dimensional models for research and education, and training and overseeing students and volunteers in digital paleontological techniques.

• Work will include assisting the Cultural/Historical Collections Department in 3D scanning important cultural artifacts.

• Leading and coordinating field excavations, including technical and logistical aspects such as:

• Camp setup and takedown

• Organizing equipment

• Surveying fossiliferous formations

• Surface and excavation collecting of fossils

• Mapping fossil localities

• Monitoring progress of field work

• Keeping accurate field notes

• Safely transporting fossils from the field to the museum

• Coordinating and/or supporting informal science education and public outreach activities

• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• B.S. Degree in paleontology, geology, or equivalent experience in similar fields of study.

• Minimum of 3 years of 3D scanning, hardware/software & post-processing experience

• Understanding of 3D modeling and reconstruction techniques.

• Proficiency in computer-aided design software.

• Minimum of 3 years of paleontological fieldwork experience including supervising students, planning logistics, and data recording.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• M.S. Degree in paleontology, geology or equivalent experience in similar fields of study.

• Minimum of 5 years of 3D scanning, hardware/software & post-processing experience.

• Experience w/Creaform, Artec, Leica Cyclone, or Creality Scanners.

• Experience w/I-Phone LIDAR scanning techniques.

• 10 years of paleontological field experience.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Demonstrated attention to detail and accuracy.

• Organize and manage multiple projects and priorities.

• Work independently and as part of a team.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties? No

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on October 26, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.