Curator for the Department of Botany

The Swedish Museum of Natural History is Sweden's largest museum and a leading research institution where curiosity meets science. We are a government agency that increases knowledge and interest in nature and the world we live in through research, unique collections, and experiences such as Cosmonova, exhibitions, museum activities, and digital content. Together, we create insight, engagement, and action for a thriving planet.

The Department of Botany (BOT) is one of the museum's five research departments with just over 20 employees. Here, an international team of researchers drives externally and internally funded projects in national and international research collaborations, as well as supervising doctoral students and postdocs. The department's staff continuously manages and expands the large botanical and mycological collections (over 4.5 million objects), which are used by both the museum's own researchers and external guests (Swedish and international). Research at the Department of Botany focuses on biodiversity, evolution, morphology, taxonomy, phylogeny, and biogeography within a wide range of plant and fungal groups.

Responsibilities

We are looking for a Curator who will have overall and independent responsibility for caring for and managing the Nordic vascular plant collections. The role includes administering incoming and outgoing cases, including accessions and loan management, as well as registering, imaging, and database managing relevant material. You will be responsible for proposing updates to the species catalog and the structure of the collections. You will also host visitors and guest researchers, and serve as the natural point of contact for the public, botanical societies, and amateur botanists.

Independent collection-based research is desirable as part of the position and is seen as a valuable part of the museum's work. Work to enrich the collections, work in public contexts, university-level teaching, as well as general work and various projects within the museum's operations may also occur. Work in the collections requires physical presence; therefore, opportunities for remote work are limited.

As an employee, you are expected to be a role model, with the ability to inspire and motivate colleagues and to promote a positive work environment.

Requirements

• PhD in systematic biology (or equivalent) with a focus on vascular plants
• Knowledge and interest in botanical collection work
• Scientific production in collection-based systematics, including taxonomy and nomenclature
• Good knowledge of Swedish and English, both spoken and written
• Experience in fieldwork
• A strong and active interest in and knowledge of botanical biodiversity (species knowledge), particularly regarding Nordic flora

Merits

• Experience from botanical collection management
• Experience in project management and staff supervision
• Ability to apply for and obtain external research grants
• Good national and international network
• Knowledge of other languages, especially German, French, and Latin
• Knowledge of interpreting handwritten labels
• Knowledge of database management and other digital tools
• Experience in teaching and supervision at the university level
• Experience in outreach activities

You need to be structured with a good ability to plan work tasks and structure them effectively. You prioritize efficiently, keep timeframes, and maintain order in the workplace and work materials. You are self-reliant, take responsibility for your task, structure your own approach, and drive your processes forward. You have good communication skills and good teamwork abilities.

Employment Type

Permanent position. We apply a 6-month probationary period.

At the Swedish Museum of Natural History, we work for a sustainable and thriving planet, where all employees are an important part of a larger whole. Our mission is broad and our goals are high. To achieve them, we need everyone's experience and competence.

We strive to be a workplace with a strong sense of community, where we share our knowledge and celebrate our successes. Together, we want to create a safe, creative, and responsible work environment. We offer flexible working hours, wellness benefits, and competence development.

At our workplace, individual, differentiated, and objective salary setting is applied according to the collective agreements RALS/RALST-T.

At the Swedish Museum of Natural History, we work to ensure that our operations reflect society and welcome all applicants regardless of gender, background, origin, or disability.

In connection with the recruitment process, we have taken a stance on recruitment channels and marketing. Therefore, we decline contact with media sellers, recruitment sites, and similar.