Start date: The ideal start date is October 1, 2024
Duration: Approximately 200 hours
Schedule: Negotiable within Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Stipend: Approximately $3,658 total stipend, depending on the agreed-upon total internship hours
Number of positions: 1 position
Application Deadline: Friday, August 30, 2024, at 5 p.m.
Housing: Interns are responsible for finding and securing their 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 accessibility of Zoology’s Entomology specimen data.
This position will participate in the data preparation activities (standardization and general cleanup) for migrating entomology specimen data into the Arctos database. Areas of data needing cleanup include agent names (people), geographies and localities (places), attributes (measurements and qualitative information) and taxonomies (species and higher-level identifications). Much of this work will be conducted in MS Excel and with existing tools in Arctos. It will also require data research activities such as verifying data from specimen labels, additional databases (EMu) or consulting original data source materials (e.g., field notes).
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 data cleanup and standardization
- Taxonomic schema and organization strategies
- Best practices for specimen handling and storage
- Work collaboratively with Museum personnel
- Assist Zoology collections staff and curators when necessary.
- Option to participate in public engagement events, e.g., Science on the Spot, Member Nights, Educator Open House, etc.
- Conduct work within the Museum's safety guidelines, 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
- Experience with data entry and/or data management preferred
- Positive attitude and flexibility
- Ability to work collaboratively with Museum staff and volunteers
Mentors
Andrew Doll
Zoology Collections Manager
Genna Anderegg
Zoology Assistant Collections Manager
Minimum Age Requirement
18 or older and enrolled in a 2 or 4-year institution
Schedule
Negotiable within Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Start Date
The ideal start date is October 1, 2024. The end date corresponds to the completion of 200 hours after the official start date.
Housing
Interns are responsible for finding and securing their housing.
Application Deadline
Friday, August 30, 2024, 5 p.m.
Application Instructions
If you have not previously applied to, interned at, 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 Entomology Collections Internship
- Review the position description
- Navigate to the Prerequisites section at the bottom of the form
- Within the Prerequisites section, click on 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 have your account reset.
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 position, contact [email protected]