Archaeological Collections (Scientific Specialist, Senior Scientific Specialist, or Assistant Research Scientist) at Illinois State University

Job Title: Scientific Specialist, Senior Scientific Specialist, or Assistant Research Scientist

Location: Champaign, IL

Description:

The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO

The Illinois State Archaeological Survey (ISAS) is part of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. For 80 years, the University of Illinois has studied the state’s archaeological heritage. ISAS incorporates that knowledge in its programs to protect, preserve, and interpret these irreplaceable and non-renewable resources within the context of Illinois’ need to encourage and promote sustainable development. Learn more at https://prairie.illinois.edu/about/jobs/

ISAS investigates, preserves, and interprets the cultural-historical heritage of the state and beyond, and curates approximately 30,000 square feet of archaeological materials that include lithic, ceramic, metal, zooarchaeological, and paleoethnobotanical artifacts, environmental specimens, and over
7,000 linear feet of associated documentation in compliance with state and federal curation regulations.

As part of its long-term mission and responsibility for management of University of Illinois collections, ISAS is seeking to hire up to two individuals at either the Scientific Specialist, Archaeological Collections level, the Senior Scientific Specialist, Archaeological Collections level, or the Assistant Research Scientist, Archaeological Collections level depending on qualifications, who will conduct laboratory documentation of archaeological materials held in University of Illinois
collections. Collections specialists will be expected to ensure all activities are completed in compliance with applicable institutional policies as well as state and federal laws as directed by the ISAS Curator and in collaboration with the University of Illinois’ Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) office. Responsibilities also include compilation of existing records and publications related to the collection inventory process, assisting with tribal and other stakeholder consultations, and working with local, state, and federal agencies as needed. This
position is based in Champaign, Illinois.

Duties & Responsibilities, which will vary depending on the position level:

  • -Assist in completing or complete the physical and digital inventory, rehabilitation, and reorganization of managed collections.
    -Coordinate with the section head/curator, senior curation staff, and Native American Graves
    -Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) office staff to identify and document funerary contexts, deposits, and associated items held within the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign collections pertinent to compliance with NAGPRA and consultation with tribes and other stakeholders.
    -Assist in planning and implementing major collections projects and facilitate access to collections and data.
    -Assist in managing or manage collections data in a relational database format to improve the accessibility and care of collections.
    -Contribute to the development of proposals or develop proposals for externally funded research projects utilizing existing and new collections.
    -Collaborate with section head/curator and senior curation staff in planning and implementing major collections research projects and facilitate access to collections and data.
    -Assist in conducting collections research and aid in developing polies and procedures.
  • -Assist in producing or produce regular progress reports on active projects in tabular and written format to the section head/curator.
    -Investigate, track, and authorize reports on collections histories.
    -Supervise and mentor hourly and student assistants.
  • -Supervise and lead staff to achieve success and foster a culture of innovation and high-level performance at both individual and organizational levels. This includes task assignment, training, ongoing performance management with coaching and feedback, career development planning, leave/travel approval, and conducting annual performance reviews.
  • -Represent the Survey and PRI at meetings and other venues in areas of expertise.
    -Keep abreast of developments in this discipline.
    -Perform other duties as needed in order to further the mission and goals of the Survey, PRI, and University.

Required Qualifications for Scientific Specialist Level:

  • -Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology, museum studies, or closely related discipline. Alternate degree fields will be considered/accepted depending on the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position.
  • -Laboratory and/or field experience in the archaeology or precontact history of the American Midwest.
  • -Experience working with scientific collections, including archaeological collections.   -Valid driver’s license.
  • -Familiarity with federal historic preservation, burial laws, and regulations. Familiarity
    with appropriate storage, conservation, and handling of museum and/or archaeological collections.
  • -Basic understanding of archival systems and conservation concerns with archaeological materials.
  • -Effective communication, personal relations, collaboration, organizational, teamwork, and leadership skills. Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and changing priorities with stringent deadlines, under minimal supervision.
  • -Attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong conflict resolution skills. Affinity for cooperative or interdisciplinary research with scientists at the Survey, professionals at other Surveys or other academic units, as well as governmental and other academic institutions.
  • -Proficiency in commonly employed software and databases.

 

Preferred Qualifications for Scientific Specialist Level:

  • Master’s degree in anthropology, archaeology, museum studies, or closely related discipline.
  • Alternate degree fields will be considered/accepted depending on the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position.
  • Experience with tribal consultations and/or NAGPRA in the American Midwest.
  • Experience working with relational database systems. Registered Professional Archaeologist.
  • Familiarity with state of Illinois historic preservation, burial laws, and regulations.
  • Registered Professional Archaeologist.
  •  

Required Qualifications for Senior Scientific Specialist Level:

Master’s degree in anthropology, archaeology, museum studies, or closely related discipline. Alternate degree fields will be considered/accepted depending on the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position.

Laboratory and/or field experience in the archaeology or precontact history of the American Midwest.

Experience working with scientific collections, including archaeological collections.

Valid driver’s license.

Familiarity with federal historic preservation, burial laws, and regulations. Familiarity
with appropriate storage, conservation, and handling of museum and/or archaeological collections.

Advanced understanding of archival systems and conservation concerns with archaeological materials.

Effective communication, personal relations, collaboration, organizational, teamwork, and leadership skills.

Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and changing priorities with stringent deadlines, under minimal supervision.

Attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong conflict resolution skills.

Affinity for cooperative or interdisciplinary research with scientists at the Survey, professionals at other Surveys or other academic units, as well as governmental and other academic institutions.

Proficiency in commonly employed software and databases.

Preferred Qualifications for Senior Scientific Specialist Level:

  • Ph.D. in anthropology, archaeology, museum studies, or closely related
    discipline. Alternate degree fields will be considered/accepted depending on the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position.
  • Experience with tribal consultations and/or NAGPRA in the American Midwest. Experience working with relational database systems.
  • Registered Professional Archaeologist.
  • Familiarity with state of Illinois historic preservation, burial laws, and
    regulations. Registered Professional Archaeologist.

Required Qualifications for Assistant Research Scientist Level:

  • Ph.D. in anthropology, archaeology, museum studies, or closely related discipline. Alternate degree fields will be considered/accepted depending on the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position.
  • Laboratory and/or field experience in the archaeology or precontact history of the American Midwest.
  • Experience working with scientific collections, including archaeological collections.
  • Valid driver’s license.
  • Familiarity with federal historic preservation, burial laws, and regulations.
  • Familiarity with appropriate storage, conservation, and handling of museum and/or archaeological collections.
  • Advanced understanding of archival systems and conservation concerns with archaeological materials.
  • Ability to effectively acquire and manage project funds and resources.
  • Effective communication, personal relations, collaboration, organizational, teamwork, and leadership skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and changing priorities with stringent deadlines, under minimal supervision.
  • Attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong conflict resolution skills. Affinity for cooperative or interdisciplinary research with scientists at the Survey, professionals at other Surveys or other academic units, as well as governmental and other academic institutions.
  • Proficiency in commonly employed software and databases.

Preferred Qualifications for Assistant Research Scientist Level:

  • Experience with tribal consultations and/or NAGPRA in the American Midwest. Experience working with relational database systems. Registered Professional Archaeologist.
  • Familiarity with state of Illinois historic preservation, burial laws, and regulations.
  • Registered Professional Archaeologist

Work Environment:

Work is conducted in office and warehouse settings. Some work may involve
heat, humidity, and lifting items weighing up to 30 pounds.

Appointment Information: This is a full-time academic professional appointment renewable annually based on satisfactory progress in the position and continued funding.

The starting date is negotiable and the annual salary range of $40,000 to $85,000 is commensurate with position level and experience.

Application Procedure and Deadline Information:

Applications must be received by 6:00 p.m.
CST on April 18, 2023. Interviews and hiring may be conducted before the closing date due to this being a multi-hire search.

To apply, please use the Apply Now button.

Applications not submitted through this website will not be considered.

Application materials must include a:

1) a cover letter that clearly articulates how your qualifications and experience make you a viable candidate for this position and should address the qualifications listed above,

2) a CV or resume,

and 3) the names and contact information including e-mail addresses of three professional (not personal) references.

All requested information and documentation must be submitted for applications to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

For further information please contact Lori Walston-Vonderharr, Human Resources, Prairie Research Institute, at lwalston@illinois.edu or 217-244-2401.

For questions regarding the application process, including technical issues, please contact 217-333-2137. The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination
statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-
333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1015596
Job Category: Research
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu