Student Fossil Collection Assistant

Work-Study Opportunity:

Fossil Collection Assistant

Department:

Earth Sciences

Supervisor:

Dr. Caitlin Colleary

Number of hours per week/month, days needed

4-8 hours per week on-site, M-F 10-4 pm; possibility of some remote work

Prepared by:

Caitlin Colleary

Hourly pay rate:

$15.50/hour

Prepared date:

09/04/26

Budget/ job code:

6605

Summary:

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History houses a large collection of Late Pleistocene fossils from Sheriden Cave (Wyandot County, Ohio), including thousands of microfossils. The animals that are found in Sheriden Cave lived in Ohio ~13,000 years ago and are a valuable resource for studying how Ohio's biodiversity has changed over time.

Working with the Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology, the work study student will prepare this collection for transferring data into the collection management system. This includes organizing data, digitizing documents, organizing specimens, verifying information in the database, and taking specimen photos. This work will contribute to organizing the collection to make it more accessible for scientific research. There will also be opportunities to develop educational outreach materials for students interested in science communication.

Responsibilities:

• Organize and digitize documents
• Work with supervisor to create database with applicable fields to enable data transfer
• Cross-reference specimen data
• Photograph specimens for collection management system

Requirements:

• Experience making spreadsheets and organizing digital data
• Experience using a DSLR camera
• Strong competence with computers, including Microsoft Office Suite
• Good organizational skills
• Good oral/written communication skills
• Ability to work independently

Work-Study Opportunity Behavior Factors:

• Communication:

Able to engage in clear, concise, and effective communication with research team members; able to empathize with others' needs and respond sensitively; able to use good judgment when responding to objections successfully.

• Initiative:

Able to adapt old methods for new uses, or seek continuous improvement in procedures; able to develop and refine a workflow associated with the project; able to work independently and troubleshoot problems

• Professionalism:

Able to remain calm and professional through stressful or ambiguous circumstances; able to effectively interpret information and solve problems; able to conduct oneself appropriately in a research lab setting.

• Teamwork:

Able to show team spirit and treat team members with cooperation and respect; able to share useful information and effectively communicate with team members; able to support and comply with decisions.

Physical Work-Study Opportunity Conditions:

• Will require sitting and working on a computer
• May require moving fossils and light equipment as needed (<10 lbs)