The Webster Institute for the History of Astronomy at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago announces an opening for a full-time Curator, beginning Fall or Winter 2008.~ This position would report to the Director of the Webster Institute.

The Curator initiates and participates in projects to increase the worldwide visibility of the Adler’s collections. To carry this out, the curator conducts scholarly research and writing in the history of astronomy and scientific instruments, assists in the production of catalogs of the instrument collection, and serves as a project manager or content specialist on exhibitions, sky shows, and other Adler project teams.

Responsibilities and Duties:

- work with the Director, collections staff, and other scholars to work with the Adler collections, including coordinating, writing, and producing the catalogs of the instrument collection;
- serve as project manager or history content specialist in the Adler project management system;
- lead, serve, and provide content support to project teams;
- conduct research on subjects related to the collections, and on the history of scientific instrumentation and the history of astronomy;
- increase visibility and knowledge of the collections: initiate or participate in projects to make information on the collections available in an electronic format; respond to inquiries on the collections and related subjects;
- seek grant information, write grants, and administer grants as needed.

Education and Experience:

- graduate degree in History, History of Science, or a related field;
- publication experience, preferably in History of Astronomy, History of Scientific Instruments, or history of books;
- evidence of research, writing ability, and grant-writing success;
- experience managing small project teams, especially in museum environments;
- curatorial experience in a museum environment;
- excellent communication skills, some knowledge of Latin, Arabic, or a modern foreign language;
- some teaching experience desirable.

The salary for this position is contingent upon education and experience.

Interested applicants are encouraged to discuss this position with Marvin Bolt, Director of the Webster Institute, at the Scientific Instrument Commission Symposium in Lisbon or at the various history of the telescope conferences in the Netherlands in September, or at the History of Science Society Meeting in Pittsburgh. Additional details will be posted in the future.

To apply for this position, please email~a cover letter, resume or CV, and a salary history to:

Marguerite E. Dawson
Director of Human Resources
Email: [ mailto:hr-curator@adlerplanetarium.org ]hr-curator@adlerplanetarium.org
Telephone: 312.322.0591