The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Libraries seek an innovative and creative professional to fill the position of Curator of the Alabama Museum of the Health Sciences (AMHS). Applications may be submitted here: https://uab.peopleadmin.com/postings/11463
The Alabama Museum of the Health Sciences Curator is part of the Historical Collections unit of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Libraries System. This is a non-tenured, 12-month faculty position.
The Alabama Museum of the Health Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is dedicated to the preservation and display of equipment, instruments, and objects that represent the history and development of the health sciences in the areas of education, research, and practice in the United States, with a special emphasis on the state of Alabama and its contributors to the practice of medicine. The scope of the 15,000+ object collection includes, but is not limited to, the fields of medicine, nursing, ophthalmology, dentistry, public health, and allied health.
Job Description:
Reporting to the Dean of UAB Libraries, this position is responsible for the continued success of all aspects of the AMHS, particularly in these five major areas:
- Collections: The Curator develops and manages the museum collection. Responsibilities related to management include working with donors, private and institutional, to fulfill collection goals and stewardship plans; cataloging material; conservation and preservation; bringing the collections to audiences through exhibitions, displays, educational activities; developing digital initiatives and promoting collections through social media; and supervising researchers and visitors.
· Scholarship: The Curator plans, creates, manages, and installs professional exhibitions using the AMHS collections and arranges incoming and outgoing loans as appropriate. The Curator introduces collection material to students and the public through formal classes, school visits and tours, and individual appointments.
- Research: The Curator offers research assistance related to the collections. Research may include responding to reference questions, consultations with undergraduate and graduate students and faculty, assisting public researchers, and participating in the success of the Reynolds-Finley Associates Fellowships program.
· Gallery Management: The Curator oversees existing gallery space in Lister Hill Library and will lead the development of and future displays in the planned 2,620 square feet gallery space that will highlight collection material from UAB Historical Collections (Alabama Museum of the Health Sciences, Reynolds-Finley Historical Library, and University Archives) and UAB Libraries’ special collections.
- Supervision: The Curator may supervise a curatorial assistant, student workers, interns, or maintenance contractors. The Curator administers the general operations of the AMHS.
Required Qualifications:
- A master’s degree in library science from a school accredited by the American Library Association or academic credentials appropriate to the position such as a master’s degree in Museum Studies or Public History.
- Minimum three years progressively responsible experience in museum or special collections development
- Familiarity with standard museum procedures and engagement with key issues in managing museum collections and display spaces
- Experience in exhibition development, installation, promotion, and upkeep.
- Must be able to lift and move small instruments and objects in the museum collections.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated knowledge of the history of medicine and the health sciences.
- Experience with PastPerfect or other museum cataloging software.
- Demonstrated grant-writing and project management experience, especially in designing and successfully implementing collaborative public-facing humanities and/or outreach projects such as digital and physical exhibitions and social media campaigns.
- Knowledge of current technology and digital tools related to the visual arts.
- Ability to cultivate and sustain productive relationships with donors, faculty, and administrative and academic staff.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate and work effectively and flexibly within and across boundaries in a diverse organization.
- Strong organizational skills with proven success in independently prioritizing a variety of projects and managing deadlines.
- Experience supervising employees or students.
- Proven competency in the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite or related applications and an interest in producing high-quality exhibition graphics, related material, and department publications.
- Evidence of scholarly activity, such as publications, presentations, or professional exhibits.
Review of candidates will begin on July 1 and continue until the positions are filled.
UAB Libraries are committed to advancing equitable access to information, intellectual freedom, and the public good for the UAB community and the community at large. We recognize our social responsibility to advocate for marginalized voices and to inform and educate to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and mutual respect. UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and family-friendly environment in which all faculty and staff can excel and achieve work/life balance irrespective of, race, national origin, age, genetic or family medical history, gender, faith, gender identity and expression as well as sexual orientation. UAB also encourages applications from individuals with disabilities and veterans.
A pre-employment background check investigation is performed on candidates selected for employment.
About the University of Alabama at Birmingham Libraries
The UAB Libraries encompass Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences, Mervyn H. Sterne Library, J. Ellis Sparks Medical Library, Reynolds Finley Historical Library, Alabama Museum of the Health Sciences and the UAB Archives. The UAB Libraries are dedicated to developing high-quality programming in Digital and Information Literacy, Emerging Technologies, Scholarly Communication, Digitization, and Digital Scholarship. To learn more about the UAB Libraries visit https://library.uab.edu/
About the University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is a world-class research university that was recently ranked first on the 2021 Forbes list of America’s Best Large Employers. The university has many nationally-recognized academic programs, with 16 graduate and professional programs in Health Professions, Nursing, Medicine, Engineering, Education, Business and Public Health, and the College of Arts and Sciences ranked in the 2020 U.S. News Best Graduate School Rankings.
To learn more about the University of Alabama at Birmingham, visit http://www.uab.edu/home/
About Birmingham, Alabama
Known as The Magic City, Birmingham, Alabama, boasts one of the lowest costs of living and highest amount of green space per capita of any comparably sized city. A city with a complex history, Birmingham aims to become the most robust and inclusive technology hub in the southeast. Birmingham is home to several innovation-driven initiatives including The Switch District and Innovation Depot, TechBirmingham and EdFarm, focused on technology-centered workforce and economic development. The Birmingham business community includes Shipt, and Regions Bank.
The City of Birmingham supports initiatives aimed at developing a model inclusive and resilient economy. The city’s Birmingham Promise program offers scholarships to help pay for college tuition and fees in Alabama public colleges for graduates of Birmingham Public Schools. For more information on living and working in Birmingham, Alabama, visit the Jefferson County website: https://www.jccal.org/ or the Birmingham Business Alliance website: https://www.birminghambusinessalliance.com/
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