Curator of Midwest Archaeology (Museum Curator), IUMAA

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Job description

Department

IU MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY & ANT (BL-MAA-IUBLA)

Department Information

IUMAA takes aspects of the former museum and the Laboratory of Archaeology and combines them into 1 cohesive experience. With an impactful long-term vision focusing on purposeful storytelling, stewarding collections, and bringing these items to communities, the IUMAA thoughtfully houses and displays over 5 million artifacts that span across a broad range of the human experience. The IUMAA is accessible for research as well as teaching and is culturally connected to our broader community through partnerships with Indigenous communities, advisory boards, and other IUMAA community members.

Job Summary

This position will work closely with faculty and students and must be skilled at establishing sustainable relationships with diverse communities impacted by the complex colonial legacies of academia and museums, and the IU Bloomington community and beyond. The Curator will also support diverse researchers and process requests focused on archaeological findings in the American Midwest, including the Angel Mounds State Historic Site in southwestern Indiana.

The position is responsible for the intellectual content of the archaeological collections in partnership with collections staff; cultivating opportunities for collections research, engagement, and exhibitions; fostering community partnerships; and working in collaboration with the IU NAGPRA team.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Works to ensure collections are interpreted inclusively with multiple voices, focused on community authorship and perspectives, and prioritizing descendant communities/Indigenous knowledge and protocols.
• Researches, curates, develops, and implements exhibition experiences and research that innovatively engage communities in a thoughtful, creative, and culturally conscious way.
• Works with curatorial and exhibition staff, descendent communities, and other collaborators on the planning and curation of exhibits.
• Leads archaeological collections cataloging initiatives including the development of artifact description protocols and vocabulary standards in line with contemporary archaeological thought.
• Directs the building and reorganization of reference collections to improve access and use.
• Writes collection summaries and identify collections for priority research and conservation efforts.
• Initiates, develops, and directs original research projects in conjunction with Director of Curatorial Affairs and in partnership with the Associate Director of Research, focused primarily on IUMAA's archaeological collections, to advance understanding of Indiana history and the history of Indigenous cultures, past and present.
• Supervises graduate fellows and student support staff with research and curation projects, presentations, honors theses, and exhibits.
• Partners with Collection Manager in stewardship of Federal, State, and other reposited collections.
• Evaluates gift considerations and steward ethical acquisitions following IUMAA's Collection Policy.
• Actively participates in grant-writing and other fund-raising to support archaeological research and curation.
• Reviews research requests in collaboration with Associate Director of Research.
• Works in coordination with collections staff and IU NAGPRA team on compliance efforts.
• Acts as ambassador to academic departments and to the broader IU and Bloomington communities.
• Cultivates support for exhibitions, galleries, programs, symposia, acquisitions, research grants, and fellowships through association with professional organizations, foundations, collectors, and donors.

General Responsibilities

• Preserves and manages museum artifacts, documents, and/or collections, ensuring adherence to relevant federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Coordinates the moving of works to and from buildings. Plans what artifacts will be displayed and works with departments to make selections based on the environment in the area.
• Uses conservation and maintenance techniques to preserve artifacts, documents, and collections.
• Researches and writes labels for all displayed works. Prints and installs labels.
• Researches and prepares courses, tours, and presentations related to the museum.
• Strategizes for continued goal setting and activities to reach goals and assists with the associated budget construction to carry out long-term plans.
• Assists other museum services staff with incoming artifacts and database management.
• Inventories artifacts in museums and maintains condition reports.
• May provide guidance and delegate administrative tasks to other museum services staff.
• May make process recommendations for improved operational efficiency.

Qualifications

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION

Required

• Bachelor's degree in museum services or other related field

Preferred

• Master's degree in anthropology, Indigenous studies, history, or related fields with a focus on Midwest archaeology

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

• 2 years in museum services or another related field

Preferred

• 3 years of experience with research and curatorial work related to archaeology and Indigenous collections.
• 2 years of experience related to descendent community, NAGPRA consultations, and/or shared-stewardship practices

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
• Highly thorough and dependable
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure

Preferred

• Demonstrates broad knowledge of archaeological materials and understanding of the importance of material culture to people past and present
• Ability to listen and deal empathetically with a wide range of people and cultural groups.
• Understanding of equity, inclusion, access, and racial/culturally just practices within museums, archives, and libraries.
• Demonstrated understanding of the colonial legacy of universities, museums, anthropology and the complexity of colonization's impact on Black, Indigenous, and communities of color (domestic and international).
• Demonstrates experience in assisting with culturally complex, sensitive, or confidential projects
• Ability to identify and contextualize archaeological materials with an emphasis or desire to focus research on the archaeology of the American Midwest
• Ability to obtain Qualified Professional credentials from the state of Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology
• Demonstrates working knowledge of cultural resource laws and best practices
• Demonstrated experience with materials science microscopy, 3D imaging, or other advanced analytical techniques
• Excellent verbal and writing skills with ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and the public across multiple disciplines
• Excellent analytical and creative problem-solving skills
• Strong organizational skills including project planning and management.
• Skills and experience using digital technologies, including internet and media platforms

Working Conditions / Demands

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. This position is required to be able to lift up to 50 pounds often. This role will require the use of various pieces of equipment. Specialized equipment might include: laboratory and field equipment (various microscopes, pXRF, RTK, magnetic gradiometer, and ground penetrating radar), as well as ArcGIS, TerraSurveyor, Filemaker Pro, and the Adobe Creative Suite. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Work Location

Bloomington, Indiana

This is an in-person position.

Advertised Salary

$70,000 annually

Benefits Overview

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Multiple plan options for medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health Savings Account with generous IU contribution
• Life insurance, LTD, and AD&D options
• Base retirement plan contribution from IU, subject to vesting
• Additional supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition benefit for IU classes
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing our online Benefits Brochure.

Job Classification

Career Level: Career

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: Educational Resources & Tech

Job Family: Museum Services

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