Department: Museum of Natural and Cultural History
Rank: Research Assistant (Type C)
Annual Basis: 12 Month
Review of Applications Begins
October 28, 2025; position open until filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
To be considered for this position, a complete application must include:
• A current CV or resume
• A cover letter addressing how you meet the minimum qualifications, professional competencies, and any preferred qualifications.
• Three (3) professional references with contact information. References will not be contacted until you are notified.
We are interested in finding the best candidate for the position. We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t think you meet every one of our preferred qualifications--use your application to let us know what is meaningful to you about the role and what transferable skills or other qualities you would bring.
Department Summary
As an essential partner in the University’s educational, research, and public service mission, the University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History (MNCH) enhances knowledge of Earth’s environments and cultures, inspiring stewardship of our collective past, present, and future.
The museum is a center of interdisciplinary research and education, serving the State of Oregon, the University of Oregon, Native American Tribes, the research community, K-12 students and teachers, and the wider public in Oregon and beyond.
An established major engine of archaeological research in the American West, the museum’s Archaeological Research Division works across the state on dozens of archaeological projects each year. The MNCH is also the State of Oregon’s official repository for publicly owned collections and is home to hundreds of thousands of ethnographic and archaeological objects, fossils, and biological specimens from Oregon and around the world.
The museum annually welcomes more than 30,000 visitors and serves another 20,000 Oregonians through its statewide educational programs. A winner of the 2018 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the museum is fully accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, distinguishing it as one of the very best museums in the nation.
The Museum employs a staff of approximately 40 faculty, researchers, classified, administrative, and student employees across several facilities on the University of Oregon, Eugene campus. Annual expenditures are about $3 million, from dozens of funding sources and allocated among a variety of projects across four museum divisions.
Position Summary
The Collections Manager is responsible for day-to-day object and archives preservation and management. This position oversees environmental controls; facilitates access; oversees management of digital assets; coordinates and corresponds with donors; and supervises staff, students, and volunteers who work in the division. The Collections Manager position is at 1.0 FTE, with .75 FTE dedicated to Anthropological Collections and .25 dedicated to Paleontological Collections. This position works with the Director of Anthropological Collections, the Director of the Condon Collections, and the Executive Director to develop and implement policies and procedures that align with professional standards in the field and comply with all UO, state, and federal guidelines. This position reports to the Director of Anthropological Collections.
Minimum Requirements
• Master’s degree and current research portfolio in anthropology/archaeology, earth sciences, or museum-related field
• Two (2) years of experience working with ethnographic and/or archaeological or paleontological collections
• Experience supervising employees, students, and/or volunteers
• Experience working with Native American Tribes
Professional Competencies
• Excellent research and writing skills
• Ability to collaborate with individuals and organizations from diverse cultural backgrounds
• Clear understanding of museum ethics and best practices
• Knowledge of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and museums’ responsibility toward Native American Tribes
• Advanced knowledge of legal and ethical standards for stewarding anthropological, archaeological, and paleontological collections
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience in higher education or similarly complex organization
• Five (5) years of experience working in a collections center with varied environmental and access protocols
• Experience successfully working with Tribes in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest
• Five (5) years of experience supervising employees and/or volunteers
• Experience with budgeting and financial management
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit our website.
The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please email us or call 541-346-5112.
UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here.
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