Join the Missouri Botanical Garden’s initiative to Revolutionize Species Identification. This transformative initiative will digitize the Garden’s extensive herbarium collection, while using these data to create artificial intelligence models to automatically identify plant species. This initiative will make critical data and tools available to scientists, conservationists, and policymakers around the globe, thereby helping address the biodiversity crisis.
Summary: This is a multi-year position dependent on restricted funding and project duration that will take and database hyperspectral scans of specimens in the Herbarium at the Missouri Botanical Garden. With nearly 8 million specimens of preserved plants, the MBG Herbarium is one of the largest and most active research collections in the world and serves as a core resource for the Garden’s Science and Conservation Division. The successful candidate for this position will join a dedicated team of scientists and support staff in the Herbarium to produce high-quality specimen data to serve urgent global needs in research, conservation, land management, and policymaking. In addition, staff hired in this position will participate in a curatorial mentorship program, attending workshops held by other Garden staff on botanical taxonomy, nomenclature, specimen curation, and collection management to develop their Herbarium skills and knowledge. This role requires excellent attention to detail, time management, interpersonal skills, a thoughtful and collaborative approach to problem solving, and a deep passion for plants. Initial core duties include pulling specimens, taking hyperspectral scans and associated metadata, data quality assurance (QA), and specimen filing. As part of the curatorial mentorship program, duties will expand to include becoming familiar with the taxonomic literature of one or more target plant families, updating scientific names on specimens according to recent taxonomic treatments, identifying specimens, and improving the accuracy of the physical collection and its associated digital records.
The earliest start date for this position is August 10, 2026.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Pulls, takes hyperspectral scans, ensures data quality, and refiles specimens in
coordination with other Herbarium and research staff to ensure timely completion of
grant deliverables with minimum interruption to other Herbarium activities.
- Saves hyperspectral scans to a Missouri Botanical Garden server.
- Engages in careful and efficient quality control checks to ensure the highest standards in
hyperspectral data quality.• Works with Hyperspectral Scanning Supervisor and Curator of Biodiversity Data to
develop and test workflows to optimize scanning efficiency and improve data quality.
- Attends curatorial mentorship workshops, lectures, and other events to grow capacity in
taxonomy and Herbarium curation.
- Files specimens, updates scientific names, reads taxonomic literature, and identifies
plant collections in one or more target families (developed over time as part of the
curatorial mentorship program).
- Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed to reduce hazards.
- Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately.
- Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to
Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
- 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.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities: This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.
Competencies:
Communication – Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; Writes clearly and
presents information accurately; Speaks professionally and responds well to questions;
Supports positive visitor relations.
Collaboration – Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace; Engages in
problem solving and group initiatives; Cooperates in implementing procedures and process
improvements; Strives for positive visitor experiences.
Accountability – Demonstrates commitment to responsibilities and adaptable to changes;
Effectively prioritizes, troubleshoots and takes appropriate actions; Follows policies and
procedures, meets deadlines, quality, and safety standards; Strives to proactively, address
visitor and internal colleagues’ concerns.
Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems; Includes supervisor before taking action as
necessary; Recommends solutions, demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness; Exhibits
sound and accurate judgment in decision making process; Includes appropriate people in
making decisions.
Stewardship – Promotes and adheres to sustainability, safety and security protocols; Fosters a
culture of respect, diversity and inclusion; Demonstrates effective and prudent use of Garden
resources; Maximizes contributions during work hours.
Qualifications/Experience:
- One to three years of related experience in general data entry, preferably in the context
of herbaria or other research collections.
- Basic knowledge of scientific data collection, metadata capture, and archival file storage,
desired.
- Basic knowledge of botanical terminology is strongly desired.• Excellent typing skills and data entry skills. Ability to read cursive writing.
- Must be punctual, dependable, a self-starter, and possess the ability to effectively multi-
task and work under minimal supervision.
- Ability to read and comprehend instructions and information to effectively execute and
achieve results.
- The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers, and
guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by
your healthcare provider prior to hiring date. The Garden reserves the right to require
future proof of current vaccination status, based on local health department guidelines.
When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain
required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where
travel is required.
- The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the
knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.
Education:
- A Bachelor’s degree, ideally in a field relevant to botany, is required.
- An equivalent combination of education, skills, and experience may be considered.
Language Skills: Ability to read and communicate effectively in English (oral/written) required.
Knowledge of additional languages, especially Spanish, French, and Mandarin Chinese,
desired.
Computer Skills:
- Proficiency using Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and
PowerPoint, required
- Solid Internet research skills.
- Must possess basic understanding of computer operating systems in order to
troubleshoot hardware and software issues, in consultation with IT staff.
Physical Demands:
- Ability to sit or stand for long periods.
- Ability to utilize a computer keyboard (typing) and sit for extended periods of the
workday.
- Operates computer and photography rigs.
- Must be able to lift and carry 30 pounds.
- Requires clarity of vision at 20 inches or less with the ability to bring objects into sharp
focus.
- Requires clarity of vision to accurately clarify colors.
- May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e., climb ladders, step stools, etc.)
Work Environment:
- Quiet indoor office setting; shared workspace, office environment with multiple staff
within the department.
- Possible travel to professional meetings.
Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden:
- Garden employees and volunteers.
- External digitization consultants
- Peer institutions and collaborators
Supervisor: Hyperspectral Scanning Supervisor
