PRR Project

Summary

Job description: The National Museum of Natural History and Science of the University of Lisbon invites applications for the position of Curator of Entomology. We seek a dynamic and highly motivated researcher specializing in research on insect morphological diversity and evolution, particularly focusing on Hymenoptera. The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting and overseeing an innovative and original scientific research program, securing external funding. Additionally, the Curator will play a pivotal role in coordinating the curation, maintenance, and digitization efforts of the Museum´s insect collection, and it is expected to contribute actively to the growth and enhancement of the collection. The successful candidate is also expected to actively contribute to other areas within the mission of the Museum, including mentoring, public education and outreach, and exhibitions, by working together with the Museum staff at large. Scientific profile: We seek candidates with a strong commitment to a vision of natural history collections as a key resource for interdisciplinary research, education and culture. Applicants are required to have the following attributes:- A PhD in entomology or related field by the time of the appointment, and at least 3 years of professional experience in museum entomological collections.- General knowledge in insect diversity, and specialized knowledge on one or more groups within Hymenoptera.- Knowledge of insect anatomy and morphology, including methods and techniques for morphological comparative research.- Proven expertise in classic and modern imaging techniques, including tools such as Scanning Electron Microscopy, light microscopy focus-stacking, X-ray micro computed tomography and three-dimensional rendering.- Experience with entomology collections, including best practices in collection care and maintenance, specimen preparation, and collection digitization.- A track record in publishing scientific articles, showcasing the capability to provide innovative perspectives to the field.- Good language skills in Portuguese or English, with the ability to work in a team. Rationale: The appointment of an Assistant Researcher is in accordance with the Museum´s strategic vision as an international research infrastructure within the University of Lisbon, whose role is to advance knowledge in biodiversity and species exploration through its scientific collections, in order to best support conservation efforts and inform policy making. Selecting a qualified researcher for our curatorial position recognizes that an active research program is vital to keep our collections dynamic and current, to guide the collection growth and to ensure its scientific relevance.The entomology collection, with approximately 0.5 million specimens, stands as the Museum´s largest collection and one of Portugal´s largest. It preserves a representation of the countries’ insect biodiversity and, importantly, of the insect fauna of the Portuguese-speaking African countries. The successful candidate will oversee these crucial holdings, and work towards improving and guaranteeing public access to the collection and to the scientific information contained within. Within the entomology collection, Hymenoptera (wasps, bees, and ants) represent a significant and abundant group awaiting extensive curation and study, a gap expected to be addressed by the incoming researcher. Moreover, Hymenoptera is a key group to address the pollinators crisis, which seriously threatens not only crop productivity worldwide, but also the sustainability of flowering plant diversity.The emphasis on a robust morphological research component aligns with the growing trend of applying modern imaging techniques for the study of animal structure and the diversification of form. The selected candidate is anticipated to contribute to the advancement of this research area within the Museum, utilizing our existing imaging facilities and enhancing the institution’s capabilities with the acquisition of new equipment. Morphology research aligns well with the Museum´s wide scientific interests, encompassing macroevolutionary studies, systematics, taxonomy (including the description of new species), and complements the existing molecular-based research conducted at the Museum. This strategic alignment underscores the comprehensive and interdisciplinary nature of the Museum´s scientific and educational endeavours.