Research Specialist

~ Founded in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden is the nation's oldest botanical garden in continuous operation and a National Historic Landmark. ~ 

"To discover and share knowledge about plants and their environment in order to preserve and enrich life." - Missouri Botanical Garden mission. 

The Garden is a center for botanical research and science education, as well as an oasis in the city of St. Louis. The Garden offers 79 acres of beautiful horticultural display, including a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, Henry Shaw's original 1850 estate home, and one of the world's largest collections of rare and endangered orchids.

For over 154 years, the Garden has been an oasis in the city, a place of beauty and family fun-and also a center for education, science, and conservation. 

Position Overview 

Research Specialist assists Herbarium projects by managing specimens, data acquisition and analysis, communicating with collaborators and facilitating access to specimens and facilities, and participating in writing and editing scientific reports, papers and proposals.

Responsibilities 

Essential Duties:

• Compiles exisisting scientific plant descriptions of Anthurium and Philodendron from various forms of media, including published works, both electronic and hard copy, also from the internet. 
• Prepares new scientific plant descriptions of Anthurium and Philodendron from dried herbarium specimens and photographs. 
• Uses measuring tools, techniques and formulas to provide accurate calculations for all plant specimens. 
• Interacts with and assists research volunteers to ensure that their plant descriptions are complete and correct. 
• Retrieves plant specimens from the herbarium and refiles them. 
• Answers inquiries regarding the status and location of plant material. 
• Communicates with collaborators (within and outside the Garden). 
• Georeferences data (i.e. assigns geographic coordinates that links it to a geographic location on a map; converting it into computer readable form) if necessary, to prepare it for analyses. 
• Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed; informs employees/students/volunteers of safety guidelines, methods to reduce hazards. 
• Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately. 
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within our division and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and employees.

Qualifications

Experience:

• Minimum of two to four years' related experience. 
• Strong academic background and interest in one or more of the following fields: botany, ecology, conservation or environmental science. 
• Prior course work in plant systematics/taxonomy, field botany and ecology. 
• Basic understanding of botanical nomenclature, botanical literature and taxonomy. 
• Prior herbarium experience preferred. Field experience a plus. 
• Demonstrated ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. 
• Ability to evaluate and edit the content, structure, and format of a range of written materials. 
• Advanced degree of computer literacy and technical skills. 
• Must be punctual, dependable, self-starter, and possess the ability to effectively multi-task and work under minimal supervision. 
• Adaptability and flexibility to handle changing demands. 
• Ability to read and comprehend instructions and information to effectively execute and achieve results. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels and work with diverse teams. 
• Scheduling flexibility that allows occasionally working weekends, holidays and evenings. 
• The requirements and duties listed above are representative and do not constitute an exhaustive list of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.