David P Wheatland Curator of the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments

03-Sep-2024

David P Wheatland Curator of the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

66774BR

Job Summary

The Collection of Historic Scientific Instruments at Harvard University seeks a Curator with expertise in scientific collections. Applicants may have a range of specific mastery, but their scholarship and professional experience must include deep engagement with material culture in a cultural heritage or educational setting. We are seeking an individual with strong communication and didactic skills who has ties to the community of scientists, science educators, and historians of science and the capacity to build and steward public research and educational collections. This individual will help further develop the current institutional goals of advancing use of CHSI as a field-leading teaching collection, including building relationships with and supporting the didactic and research goals of the community of Havard affiliates they will join. The DWP Curator will join the Faculty and Executive Directors in advancing CHSI’s mission and increasing our impact with our stakeholder communities. The DWP Curator performs curatorial functions and regular assignments approved by the Executive Director in order to shape the intellectual justification for the growth, refinement, access to and use of the Collection. With a team of colleagues, the Curator contributes to the preservation and stewardship of diverse materials including scientific instruments, works on paper, photographs, archives, library, and their catalogue.

Position Description

Cataloguing and Documentation 

• Identify, document, and catalogue the collection within its systems of record, via paper files and the Collections Management System, currently TMS. Advance accessibility through the complete description of materials and advancing the interpretation of holdings. 

• Advance documentation of collections by assembling instruments for photography, teaching, and programs; taking appropriate images of objects and their parts for the object records and public database. 

Acquisitions and Accessions 

• Promote sustainable collections stewardship practices by balancing new collecting with the comprehensive review and rationalization of collections, their impact on mission, likelihood of use, and utility to stakeholders.  

• Promote the growth of the Collection by proposing new acquisitions transferred from Harvard labs, scientific units, and researchers; donated by related institutions and organizations; and given by collectors. 

Research and Scholarship 

• Conduct research advancing the interests of the Collection and the University on objects and share findings in talks, papers, publications, and on the web. 

Teaching 

• Promote and facilitate radical access and use of the Collection for teaching by working with faculty and students in departments all over the university and occasionally classes, visiting from other universities. 

• Collaborate with the HMSC and other museum colleagues across the University and locally to create topical programs based on our holdings.  

• Develop curricula and lesson plans for use of our collections by qualified affiliates and the public.  

Exhibitions 

• Curate exhibitions in CHSI galleries and elsewhere on campus.  Facilitate the work of guest curators, including faculty and students by providing mentorship on museum processes and advancing radical access to the Collection of Historic Scientific Instruments.

Basic Qualifications

PhD and at least five years of curatorial experience in an academic research or cultural heritage setting.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Experience in scientific collections is preferred with expertise on material culture in a museum setting along with strong communication and didactic skills with ties to the community of scientists, science educators, and historians of science who build and steward public research and educational collections. Excellent interpersonal skills and a positive, enthusiastic attitude toward working collaboratively in a team environment.

Additional Information

We regret that we will not be able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

All formal written offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.
 

Work Format Details

This position is based primarily on-campus, in Massachusetts. This may include in-person during emergency situations (if applicable). Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

About Us

Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments 

Harvard University has been acquiring scientific instruments since 1672. CHSI was established in 1948 by David P. Wheatland to preserve these objects as resources for teaching and research in the history of science and technology.    

CHSI is one of the three largest university collections of its kind in the world. Stewarded by Harvard’s Department of the History of Science since 1987, the collection is an integral resource for student and faculty engagement in the Greater Boston Area. As a founding member institution of the Harvard Museums of Science and Culture, CHSI is an essential partner in achieving HMSC’s mission to foster curiosity and a spirit of discovery and enhance understanding of and appreciation for science.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

Museum

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

388058 Museum Professional

Work Format

On-Site

Sub-Unit

Social Sciences

Salary Grade

058

Department

Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Time Status

Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening

Criminal, Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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