Question Coleopterist Research Curator - Florida

=10ptThe Research Curator position for Coleoptera/Odonata at the Florida State Collection of Arthropods (FSCA) will soon be vacant, and we are actively working to begin the hiring process. =10pt =10ptThe FSCA ( =10pthttps://thefsca.org/ =10pt) is one of the largest entomological museums in the US, with over 2.5 million Coleoptera and 1.3 million Odonata specimens. The FSCA is managed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Division of Plant Industry ( =10pthttps://www.fdacs.gov/Divisions-Offices/Plant-Industry =10pt). The Entomology section currently includes eight Research Curators, six Biological Scientists and over a dozen support staff that collaborate with multiple institutions and an active community of Research Associates and students.=10pt =10ptDuties: =10ptThese are split into three interconnected areas: diagnostics, museum curation, and research.=10ptDiagnostics=10pt. Our primary function is to protect Florida’s native and commercial plants through our diagnostic services. They also include reviewing documents and making recommendations to regulatory officers and administration on various potential pests. In addition, we are expected to build resources to improve our diagnostic abilities, which include research, revisions, keys, morphological and molecular resources, publications or pamphlets on taxa, administrative reports, etc. =10ptMuseum Curation=10pt. The FSCA is the official state collection with the same duties and responsibilities as any other entomology museum. Collection care, management, conservation, improvement, and growth are of paramount importance. There are opportunities for outreach, training staff and students, cooperative projects with multiple agencies (academic and regulatory), working with researchers, and the public. Our staff’s research activities along with our regulatory/diagnostic duties ensures that we are one of the most active collections in one of the most diverse parts of the country. =10ptResearch=10pt. Research Curators have the freedom to pursue their areas of interest. Our current staff research a wide variety of topics from vector biology, biological control, taxonomy, systematics, phylogenetics, pest management, biodiversity surveys, invasive species monitoring, and more in collaboration with the Plant Pathology, Nematology, Honeybee Diagnostics lab, Botany, and Molecular Diagnostic sections. Our facilities are next to the Florida Museum of Natural History – McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, and across a pond from UF-Entomology and Nematology Department. With these institutions so close, there are opportunities to work on and collaborate across any form of entomological research.=10pt =10ptQuestions: =10ptDon’t let the emphasis on diagnostic responsibilities discourage you from applying when the time comes. If you are a Ph.D. Coleopterist, broadly trained or willing to learn, feel free to contact Gareth Powell (current Coleoptera/Odonata curator; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.=10pt), Paul Skelley (Head of Entomology; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.=10pt), or both of us. We will be attending both ECN and ESA in National Harbor, MD. Look for us.=10pt =10ptApplying: =10ptThe state will officially post the position through =10pthttps://jobs.myflorida.com/ =10pt (Research Scientist, position number: 42004031). If you are interested, please go to this website and create an account to start entering your information. You can set up alerts to notify you when the position is announced. Once announced, you will only have a couple weeks to complete and submit your application.=10ptSee you soon in Maryland,=10ptPaul Skelley