Start date: The ideal start date is July 2024
Duration: 240 – 400 total hours, approximately 6 to 10 weeks
Schedule: 35 hours per week, Monday – Friday
Stipend: $4,389 per to $7,316 total stipend, depending on the agreed-upon total internship hours
Number of positions: 1 position
Application Deadline: Friday, May 17, 2024 at 5 p.m.
Housing: Interns are responsible for finding and securing their own housing
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science maintains a research collection of approximately 1.3 million animal specimens and specimen lots in the Zoology Collections. The Zoology collections are comprised of both vertebrate and invertebrate species, providing a taxonomically diverse and scientifically valuable resource for research and education. Major taxonomic groups represented include arachnids, insects, mollusks, mammals and birds. The Integrative Collection Branch (ICB) oversees the preservation, maintenance and access to these collections, ensuring their long-term viability and usefulness. The Entomology Collections Interns will work in the ICB to improve the preservation and storage conditions of Zoology’s Entomology specimens.
This position will assist in the initial stages of a major reorganization project for the entomology collection. The main objectives of this project are to re-distribute available growth space into taxonomic areas with expected/predicted growth, and to adjust current organizational schemas to correspond to current understandings of phylogenetic relationships. This internship will conduct some of the preliminary movements to redistribute growth space allowing for subsequent reorganization. They will participate in assessing potential taxonomic organizational schema for various insect groups and will be trained most of the general entomology collections activities (pinning, cataloging, identifying, incorporating).
Applicants from groups traditionally underrepresented in the Life Sciences are encouraged to apply.
The Entomology Collections Interns will participate in and learn the following activities:
- Entomology specimen preparation and preservation techniques
- Taxonomic schema and organization strategies
- Best practices for specimen handling storage
- Planning and preparing for future growth of collections
- Work collaboratively with Museum personnel
- Assist with the management of supplies and equipment for the Zoology Department
- Provide direct assistance to Zoology collections staff, curators, and preparators when necessary.
- Participate in public engagement events, e.g., Science on the Spot, Member Nights, Educator Open House, etc.
- Conduct work within the safety guidelines of the Museum, ensuring personal safety and the safety and security of the collections.
Qualifications
- Must have a passion for the natural sciences and an interest in pursuing a career in Zoology and/or museums
- Completed or enrolled at a 2 or 4-year institution in the Life Sciences preferred but not required
- Strong attention to detail, patience, and fine motor skills; excellent hand-eye coordination
- Positive attitude and flexibility
- Ability to work collaboratively with Museum staff and volunteers
- Organized: ability to self-start and maintain a balance between a number of projects
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to lift and move up to 30 lbs
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite products
Mentors
Andrew Doll
Zoology Collections Manager
Genna Anderegg
Zoology Assistant Collections Manager
Minimum Age Requirement
18 or older
Schedule
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., 35 hours per week
Start Date
The ideal start date is July 2024. The end date corresponds to approximately 12 weeks after the official start date.
Housing
Interns are responsible for finding and securing their housing.
Application Deadline
Friday, May 17, 2024, 5 p.m.
Application Instructions
If you have not previously applied, interned, or volunteered at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, click on the blue box below titled Internship Application to create an account and complete the steps below.
- Create an account
- Update Your Profile
- Select the Zoology Entomology Collections Internship
- Review the position description
- Navigate to the Prerequisites section at the bottom of the form
- Within the Prerequisites section, click on Zoology Entomology Collections Internship
- Upload your cover letter and resume/CV specifically for this internship
- Last Step! Apply for the internship by selecting the position once more using the bottom Apply Now blue button located on the bottom of the form
If you have previously applied, interned, or volunteered at DMNS, please contact [email protected] to reset your account.
If you are a current volunteer and want to apply, complete the steps below.
- Log into your account on the Volunteer Portal
- At the top menu, click on Resources
- Select Current Internships
- Follow steps 3 to 8 above
Questions?
For questions about the application, contact [email protected]
For questions about the internship, contact [email protected]
