We are striving to preserve this amazing place we call home through the work taking place in our building and out in the field. Whether you're brushing the dirt off your hands, sorting through collections, cracking your knuckles as you copy-edit, or making sure visitors are having a safe and wonderful experience, being a part of The Nat means being a voice for nature in our region.
That requires building an empowered team. We offer a variety of benefits and are actively working towards greater inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility, which you can read about in our current statement and action plan. The San Diego Natural History Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Interested in joining? Scroll on to see our current openings.
Are you looking for volunteer opportunities instead? View our current needs.
Need more information? Find out more about our benefits and the culture we foster.
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Fellowship position in the Department of Paleontology at the San Diego Natural History Museum (SDNHM). The James R. Colclough Paleontology Postdoctoral Fellowship supports research in Cenozoic mammalian paleontology and taphonomy. The Fellowship was created to honor the memory of James R. Colclough, longtime volunteer in the Department of Paleontology, and is funded by the James R. Colclough Paleontology Endowment.
Objective:
The Fellowship is designed to advance the academic and professional training of the next generation of vertebrate paleontologists and taphonomists by providing them with the funding and facilities to pursue specific, time-limited research projects in association with Museum scientists and utilizing vertebrate fossil specimens and data housed in the SDNHM Department of Paleontology.
Responsibilities:
Duties will include conducting original research in Cenozoic mammalian paleontology and taphonomy, providing research assistance to the Curator of Paleontology, and introducing new technologies and analytical methods into the Museum setting. Postdoctoral Fellows are expected to be in residence at SDNHM full time and actively engaged in the SDNHM community. The position will include opportunities for interactions with colleagues at nearby San Diego State University, University of California San Diego, and University of San Diego.
Qualifications:
To be considered for this position, applicants must have received a PhD degree within the past six (6) years. Soon-to-graduate PhDs may apply, but all formal requirements for a PhD must be completed before the start of the appointment.
This is a full-time, position with benefits such as health insurance, vacation, 15 paid holidays, reciprocal free admission to all of Balboa Park’s museums, as well as to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.
Compensation:
Annual compensation is $64,480, plus fringe benefits. Supplemental research funds also may be available. Appointments will typically be made for two years contingent on satisfactory progress in year one.
Starting Date:
May 1, 2024 (an earlier start date is possible)
To APPLY:
Applicants should submit a cover letter (1-2 pages), a succinct statement (~700 words) detailing current work and research interests, an up to date curriculum vitae, a list of any publications, and the names and contact information for two professional references.
Please submit materials to tdemere@sdnhm.org by December 22, 2023.
Love nature? Then you’re going to love The Nat.
The San Diego Natural History Museum is seeking a Science Communications Manager who will bolster our mission to preserve nature and biodiversity in this amazing place we call home.
This position is part of our strategic plan to serve as a leader in regional conservation. The role will help raise awareness of the museum’s research, programs, and mission to connect people with nature in our region. This person will work across many communication channels, with a primary focus on PR, social media, and blog/website.
Part publicist, part marketing strategist, part science writer, the Science Communications Manager will manage media announcements around scientific discoveries, educational programs, and exhibit openings; develop social media campaigns centered around research, collections, community science, and nature phenomena; and develop and implement marketing plans for science-centric programs and events.
This is a mid-level role that is a key part of the museum’s content/PR team.
Your Day-to-Day Work
What You Bring
You’ll need to be adept at taking complex scientific concepts and making them accessible to diverse audiences with varying levels of knowledge about natural history. You’ll love to dig deep, ask questions, look past the obvious, and find new ways to engage and connect with people and stimulate their curiosity, because that’s at the core of what we do. You’ll be a science pro with great communications chops, or a fabulous communicator/marketer with a robust understanding of science.
The Science Communications Manager will report to the Senior Director of Communications & Exhibits, collaborate closely with the Digital Communications Manager, and liaise with many internal departments, including Research, Education and Engagement, and Philanthropy.
This is a full-time, non-exempt position with benefits such as health insurance, vacation, 14 paid holidays, free admission into all of Balboa Park’s museums, and more. Salary starts at $27/hour ($56,160 annually), commensurate with experience.
Applicants should send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample that highlights relevant skills to rhandelsman@sdnhm.org.
A little more about us.
The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) was founded by amateur naturalists in 1874 and has played a major role in the conversation of our region. Having recently completed a strategic plan, The Nat is looking forward to an exciting new era as it approaches its 150th anniversary. We are evermore focused on innovative audience engagement and a strengthened role in conservation.
Founded as—and still officially named—the San Diego Society of Natural History, our organization traces its roots to an enthusiastic group of amateur naturalists who came together in 1874 to study the unique flora and fauna of our region. Now known as the San Diego Natural History Museum (and affectionately referred to as The Nat), the organization focuses on the natural history and unique biodiversity of our binational region of southern California and the Baja Peninsula. The Nat has more than eight million specimens, a $12M annual budget, 170 employees, and welcomes nearly 300,000 people to the Museum each year. In addition to our location in Balboa Park, The Nat hosts environmental education programs in the community, and we are engaged in scientific research throughout Southern California and the Baja California Peninsula.
While many people know The Nat as a flagship institution in Balboa Park, we are much bigger than our building. The world we live in is an amazing place. We want everyone to understand it better, enjoy it more, and love it as much as we do, so we’ll all protect it for the future. Because we believe that nature is the biggest exhibition of all. For more information, please visit: sdnat.org.
As a member of the executive team, the VP of Conservation and Science will report to CEO, Judy Gradwohl, who joined the Museum in July 2016 as the organization’s first woman president and CEO, following more than 30 years at the Smithsonian Institution. Judy’s passion for and wide range of experience in natural history research, science communication, and museum management has taken the organization to new heights. Under her leadership, the Museum developed a new strategic plan focused on regional science, collections, education, and conservation. Culture is everything at The Nat, where we work hard to create an environment that gives team members a voice in the strategic direction of the institution. We celebrate innovation, entrepreneurial thinking and collaboration, without ever losing our sense of humor and camaraderie. The VP will join a convivial and dedicated Science department of 55 exceptionally talented staff, working collaboratively to help shape The Nat’s future as we head into our 150th anniversary next year.
This role will need to work primarily on-site in Balboa Park, there is some flexibility for remote work. Because the mission region includes Mexico travel to the Baja Peninsula or mainland Mexico will be required.
Our leadership team took the opportunity to reimagine the VP of Conservation & Science position, significantly expanding the scope to focus on broader organizational development and scientific advancement. The new VP will focus in 5 critical areas:
As a member of the executive team, the VP of Conservation & Science will report to the CEO and serve as head of our Conservation and Science Division They will have wide latitude to shape their role, including strategy and tactics in the areas listed above, as well as integrating science and conservation across Museum activities, and developing the overall culture across the organization. The VP will also oversee The Nat’s business services division, which includes our well-established Paleo Services and Bio Services, with a combined budget of nearly $3M annually.
What does success look like for the new VP of Conservation & Science? Looking out over a 3–5-year time horizon, we would envisage the following achievements:
In compliance with the San Diego Natural History Museum’s mandatory vaccination policy, the Museum requires proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Accommodations based on medical and religious exemptions will be considered.
Sarah Thompson, Director, Blair Search Partners
1855 1st Avenue, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101
sarah@blairsearchpartners.com
Position Summary:
The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Department of Conservation Biology.
The Postdoctoral Researcher will contribute to two related initiatives: (1) Urban Nature Alliance, and (2) Healthy Canyons.
Urban Nature Alliance– Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and San Diego are California’s major urban areas. These areas also have significant amounts of urban green space which creates a major opportunity to engage communities in scientific monitoring and conservation. The Urban Nature Alliance is a network of institutions in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego that will come together to share and unite ideas and best practices for research and community engagement focused on urban biodiversity.
Healthy Canyons– San Diego canyons are a primary type of greenspace throughout the county and provide important benefits for people and nature. This project aims to conduct multidisciplinary biological surveys to determine the current state of biodiversity in canyons, engage local communities to build conservation capacity and connect people with nature, increase the accessibility of data on canyons to researchers, decision makers, and local communities, and contribute to urban greenspace conservation policy and action.
The Postdoctoral Researcher will lead the Urban Nature Alliance and work closely with the Research Project Manager to coordinate the Healthy Canyons Initiative. They will collaborate closely with external partners and The Nat’s science and education staff.
Location:
The Postdoctoral Researcher will be based at The Nat in San Diego and work under the supervision of the Director of Conservation Biology. There is some flexibility for remote work. The position will involve some travel within California.
Responsibilities:
• Organize and lead quarterly Urban Nature Alliance meetings.
• Make significant contributions to Urban Nature Alliance goal development and tracking.
• Lead communications with Urban Nature Alliance partners.
• Develop and conduct research compatible with the goals of the Urban Nature Alliance and/or Healthy Canyons Initiative.
• In collaboration with the Research Project Manager, lead biological and/or socio-ecological surveys in San Diego urban greenspaces.
• Develop and conduct outreach efforts.
• Spearhead the dissemination of results to a diverse range of audiences.
• Lead data management, assuring reproducibility and open data practices.
• Lead manuscript and technical document writing, data analysis, and visualization.
• Mentor student interns.
Qualifications:
• A PhD degree obtained within the past six years focused on Ecology, Evolution (especially in Urban systems), Conservation, Environmental Studies, Environmental GIS , Environmental Justice, Human Dimensions of Conservation or a related biology or social science field. Soon-to-graduate PhDs may apply, but all formal requirements for a PhD must be completed before the start of the appointment.
• Demonstration of excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstration of excellent organizational and project management skills
• Experience working with local communities and other stakeholders (e.g., land managers, policy makers), especially in relation to research and conservation projects.
• Ability to lead collaborative efforts.
• Bilingual (Spanish) is not a requirement but is preferred.
• In compliance with the San Diego Natural History Museum’s mandatory vaccination policy, the Museum requires proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Accommodations based on medical and religious exemptions will be considered.
Compensation and Benefits:
Annual compensation is $66,560.
The appointment will be made for three years contingent on satisfactory progress in year one.
This is a full-time, exempt position with benefits such as health insurance, vacation, 15 paid holidays, reciprocal free admission to all of Balboa Park’s museums, as well as to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.
To apply:
Applicants should submit a cover letter (1-2 pages), research statement (1-2 pages) detailing current work and research interests, curriculum vitae, a writing sample, and the names and contact information for three professional references.
Please submit materials to hr@sdnhm.org. Review of applications will begin on January 5, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. Preferred start date is summer 2024 or earlier.
Position summary:
The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) is seeking a Research Project Manager to join the Department of Conservation Biology.
The Research Project Manager will primarily work on the Nat’s Healthy Canyons initiative. However, there may also be opportunities to contribute to another related initiative, the Urban Nature Alliance.
Healthy Canyons– San Diego canyons are a primary type of greenspace throughout the county and provide important benefits for people and nature. This project aims to conduct multidisciplinary biological surveys to determine the current state of biodiversity in canyons, engage local communities to build conservation capacity and connect people with nature, increase the accessibility of data on canyons to researchers, decision makers, and local communities, and contribute to urban greenspace conservation policy and action.
Urban Nature Alliance– Los Angeles, the Bay Area , and San Diego are California’s major urban areas. These areas also have significant amounts of urban green space which creates a major opportunity to engage communities in scientific monitoring and conservation of local green spaces. The Urban Nature Alliance is a network of institutions in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego that come together to share and unite ideas and best practices for research and community engagement focused on urban biodiversity.
The Research Project Manager will be based at The Nat in San Diego and report to the Director of Conservation Biology. They will collaborate closely with external partners and The Nat’s science and education staff. The position will involve some travel within California.
Responsibilities:
• Manage relationships with partners and community groups and help establish new partnerships that advance project goals.
• In collaboration with the Postdoctoral Researcher and museum scientists, co-lead surveys of flora and fauna in urban greenspaces.
• In collaboration with the Community Engagement Manager, develop and conduct community outreach efforts.
• Coordinate and facilitate meetings.
• Provide project-related logistics and administrative support.
• Coordinate volunteers and student interns.
• Support dissemination of results to a diverse range of audiences.
• Track and report on progress of project goals.
• Track project budget.
• Responsible for data management and data quality reviews.
• Contribute to data analysis and visualization.
• Contribute to writing and preparation of manuscripts and technical documents.
Qualifications :
• A Bachelor’s degree plus two years of experience or a Master’s degree focused on Ecology, Evolution, Conservation, Environmental Justice, Environmental Studies, Environmental Social Science, Environmental GIS or a related field.
• Experience working with stakeholders and local communities.
• Demonstration of excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstration of excellent organizational skills.
• Knowledge of California or Southwestern flora and/or fauna preferred.
• Bilingual (Spanish) is not a requirement but is preferred.
• In compliance with the San Diego Natural History Museum’s mandatory vaccination policy, the Museum requires proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Accommodations based on medical and religious exemptions will be considered.
Compensation and Benefits:
Compensation is $25/hour.
This is a three-year term position.
This is a full-time, non-exempt, hourly position with benefits such as health insurance, vacation, 15 paid holidays, reciprocal free admission to all of Balboa Park’s museums, as well as to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.
To APPLY:
Applicants should submit a cover letter (1-2 pages), curriculum vitae/resume, a writing sample, and the names and contact information for three professional references.
Please submit materials to hr@sdnhm.org. Please submit application materials by January 5, 2024.
The San Diego Natural History Museum is seeking a skilled and passionate Horticulturist to oversee the development, maintenance, and care of our upcoming Native Plant Garden. Under the direction of the Senior Director of Education & Officer of Campaign Projects, the Horticulturist will be responsible for overseeing the garden's health and developing ongoing maintenance & care plans. The Horticulturist will be responsible for ongoing development, training and oversight of activities for all Nat Garden Corps volunteers.
Major Responsibilities:
Garden Design, Maintenance and Care:
General Responsibilities:
Qualifications:
Additional Information:
This is a temporary, part-time, non-exempt position with 20 hours of work per week. Availability on Tuesdays and Saturdays is required. The position is classified as temporary and will be re-evaluated after twelve months of completed service.
In compliance with the San Diego Natural History Museum's mandatory vaccination policy, the Museum requires proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Accommodation based on medical and religious exemptions will be considered.
Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter that highlights relevant experience to hr@sdnhm.org.
Review of resumes will begin on October 23, 2023. No phone calls or drop–ins, please.
Pay rate: $25.00 per hour.
Applications are invited for four (4) paid undergraduate student positions in the Department of Paleontology at the San Diego Natural History Museum (SDNHM). This is the third year of this immersive apprenticeship program to provide students with Museum-based experience in fossil preparation, identification, and curation.
Objectives & Duties:
Specific fossil preparation tasks to be taught will include mechanical preparation of invertebrate and vertebrate fossils using static hand tools and pneumatic tools; wet screening of sediment samples to concentrate micro-invertebrate and micro-vertebrate fossils; consolidation of fossils using various chemical consolidants; and construction of fiberglass-reinforced plaster support cradles for vertebrate fossils.
Specific curation tasks to be taught will include: microscopic “picking” of wet-screened sediment concentrate for micro-invertebrate and micro-vertebrate fossils; general sorting and taxonomic identification of invertebrate and vertebrate fossils; organizing sorted fossils into individual species lots and placing in archival specimen trays, plastic vials, glass vials, and/or gel capsules; entering collection locality and specimen identification information into the SDNHM Paleontology Collection Database; writing locality and specimen tracking numbers on catalogued fossils; placing organized, trayed, catalogued, and numbered fossils into steel drawers and storage cabinets in the SDNHM Paleontology Collection.
Examples of fossil specimen projects to be worked on as part of the internship include: late Pleistocene terrestrial and marine microvertebrate fossils from coastal southern California; early and middle Pleistocene terrestrial macrovertebrate fossils from inland southern California; late Pliocene and late Miocene marine invertebrate and vertebrate fossils from coastal and inland southern California; middle Miocene terrestrial vertebrates from coastal southern California; middle Eocene terrestrial vertebrate fossils from coastal southern California; and late Cretaceous marine invertebrate fossils from coastal southern California.
Schedule:
The apprenticeship program will involve up to 14 hours of work per week over a total period of 32 weeks. Compensation will be $16.85 per hour.
Qualifications:
To be considered for this position, applicants must be full-time students in the final two years of an earth science undergraduate degree program (or equivalent).
Applicants should submit a cover letter/email, a succinct statement (250-500 words) detailing course work completed and scientific interests, and the names and contact information for two faculty references. Please submit materials to Thomas A. Deméré (tdemere@sdnhm.org) by December 12, 2023.
Starting Date: As soon as December 13, 2023.