Assistant Curator, Mycology or Cryptogamic Botany

NYBG Job Description

Title

Assistant Curator, Mycology or Cryptogamic Botany

Reports to:

Director, Center for Biodiversity and Evolution

Position Summary:

The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is seeking an outstanding Mycologist or Cryptogamic Botanist for a career-track appointment in the Center for Biodiversity and Evolution. We seek candidates who are innovative and collaborative, eager to advance nature-based solutions to contemporary challenges. The successful candidate will develop an innovative collections-based and laboratory research program focused on important issues in biodiversity science, supported by extramural funding from federal and private sources. They will also use diverse data (emphasizing but not limited to systematic and floristic data) in creative ways for conservation and nature-based solutions.

The new hire will join a growing interdisciplinary research and scholarship team at NYBG to build fundamental and applied knowledge that contributes to developing solutions-oriented approaches to biodiversity and conservation, climate change mitigation, climate and community resilience, and/or food security. This position will help NYBG meet its strategic goals to increase staff diversity and grow the impact of NYBG research locally, nationally, and internationally.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

• Build an integrative/collaborative/synergistic research program and develop new partnerships both within and outside of NYBG.
• Attract extramural funding and produce a robust body of publications.
• Develop a strong and innovative research program that leverages one or more of NYBG’s collections, which include the Steere Herbarium, Mertz Library, biocultural collections, facilities and collections of the Pfizer Laboratory, digital assets, and extensive living collections.
• Engage in service to NYBG’s Science programs, the institution, including Horticulture and Education, and the broader scientific community, as well as the general public.
• Enhance NYBG’s role in education and communication by advising graduate students, mentoring interns and/or postdoctoral fellows, teaching graduate-level courses, and/or participating on the editorial team of one of our impactful journals.
• Advance NYBG’s strategic objectives: Environmental Action, Bronx-Forward, Power of Place, Digital Impact, Management Excellence.
  
  

Qualifications:

• PhD in Botany, Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Mycology, or a related field.
• Preference for candidates with two or more years of postdoctoral experience.
• Strong publication record.
• Evidence of potential or current success in securing external funding to support research.
• A taxonomic focus on a large fungal or cryptogamic group will be an asset, as will the ability to identify species across a broad range of genera and families of fungi or plants.
• Strong quantitative skills in an area such as genomics, data science, modeling, GIS, phylogenetic analysis, or computer programming.
• Ability to contribute to a collegial environment and a dedication to professional service.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate science effectively to multiple constituencies.
• Preference for candidates with experience successfully teaching and mentoring students.
• Demonstrated experience in fostering an inclusive environment, working with people from diverse backgrounds, and incorporating diverse and innovative perspectives in research.
• Willingness and ability to develop collaborative research with NYBG’s existing science staff.
  
  

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

• This position will require work in an office environment, with extended periods sitting or standing at a desk, using a computer, and attending meetings virtually and in person with other people.
• Travel is required, both within the United States and internationally.
• Fieldwork may be an important component of this position, requiring work in diverse and potentially remote outdoor environments, sometimes under challenging conditions.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
  
  

Baseline Work Schedule:

• 35-hour work week; some extended hours based on deliverables may be required. Generally, work hours are Monday - Friday 9 to 5 with 1-hour lunch break, with evening, weekend, and holiday work as needed. NYBG’s hybrid work policy applies to this position. The primary work location is at the New York Botanical Garden.
  
  

Salary: $87,550

Please submit:

• A cover letter (up to two pages) that briefly summarizes the following:
• The candidate’s research agenda, expertise, and goals, and how these would advance the research vision of NYBG Science in developing nature and biodiversity based solutions to 21st century problems.
• The candidate’s interest or experience in conducting collaborative and interdisciplinary research.
• A summary of leadership potential through existing or proposed research, teaching, service, community engagement, outreach, contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion, or other relevant activities.
• Curriculum vitae with links to significant publications.
• A statement (up to two pages) describing the current and proposed research program, and how it connects to solutions for the biodiversity and climate crisis. This statement should also include how the applicant would leverage and build the collections at NYBG and ideas for how to interact synergistically with current NYBG Curators and/or how to leverage current and future collaborations with national and international agencies to grow the impacts of NYBG Science.
• A statement (up to one page) of education and engagement that may include teaching philosophy, interests and accomplishments, and ideas for graduate student training, workshops for environmental professionals, public education and lectures, and/or or scientific exhibition content.
• Up to three representative publications or accepted manuscripts.
• Names and contact information for three references.
  
  

If you have specific questions about the application process, please contact the Chair of the Selection Committee c/o Dr. Fabian Michelangeli - fabian@nybg.org.

Application Deadline: To ensure optimal consideration, all application materials must be received by October 31, 2025, although the position will remain open until filled.

The anticipated starting date for position is July 1, 2026, or soon thereafter depending on immigration and travel restrictions. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

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