Earth Sciences Collections Internship: IMLS Jurassic Giants of the Morrison Formation

Earth Sciences Collections Internship: IMLS Jurassic Giants of the Morrison Formation

Start date: late May/early June 2025
Duration: 16 weeks
Schedule: Monday – Friday, some weekend work required; 40 hours/week
Housing: Interns are responsible for finding and securing their housing
Stipend: $752.40 per week x 16 weeks; $12,038.40 total
Positions: 1 position
Application Deadline: Monday, March 3, 2025

The Department of Earth Sciences at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science has one 16-week vertebrate paleontology collections management internship for Summer 2025. The start and end dates are flexible, with a targeted start date of May 12, 2025

This internship will involve a wide array of experiences in the Earth Sciences Collections through the practice of collections management. The primary focus will be curating the Jurassic sauropods from the Morrison Formation of Colorado and Wyoming.  The Intern will work to sort, catalog, label, rehouse and import the catalog records into the KE EMu database. Additionally, the intern will surface scan and generate 3D models of sauropod fossils, and upload the process scans to the open access portal MorphoSource.

There will be opportunities to develop communication and presentation skills by working alongside curators, staff, other interns, external researchers, and volunteers in a diverse, collaborative environment. Interdepartmental learning opportunities and participation in outreach events will also be expected.

Ideal candidates will be students in Earth Sciences, Life Sciences (or related), or collections management who have an interest or experience with fossil vertebrates and are looking to expand their experience with museum collections and database work. 

The Intern will receive a stipend, bus/rail passes, and discounts on things such as food at DMNS.

The Earth Sciences Vertebrate Collections intern will learn about and participate in the following activities:

• This internship introduces collections management as it pertains to Earth Sciences collections.
• The Intern will learn about relational databases, data management standards, cataloging standards, locality data, collections organization, rehousing methods, and specimen handling.
• The Intern will have the opportunity to participate in educational outreach events.
• The Intern will upload 3D models to the public 3D data repository, MorphoSource.org, along with relevant data for each specimen.

Responsibilities

• The Intern must conduct work within the safety guidelines of the Museum, ensuring personal safety and the safety and security of the collections.
• Maintains prompt and frequent communication with supervisors; ensuring that instructions are understood and followed; communicates problems immediately.
• Accurate data entry maintains and associates correct data with specimens.
• Organizes, rehouses, and catalogs Morrison Fm. specimens.
• Follows written instructions and documents new workflows.
• Maintains a bi-weekly progress report that will include numbers of items cataloged, imported, rehoused, imaged, and project details.
• Maintains a professional demeanor; ensures professional representation at all times.

Minimum Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will be pursuing or completed an undergraduate degree in any Earth sciences, natural history, or museum studies.
• The ability to clearly communicate and work well alone and with a team is expected.
• The candidate must have basic to intermediate proficiency in Excel.

Working Conditions

• Organization and maintenance of Museum Collections tasks will all/mostly occur in the B2 (basement 2) level of the Avenir Collections Center.
• The use of ladders will be necessary.
• Lifting 10lbs. regularly and up to 50lbs with assistance.
• Attention to detail with fine motor skills.
• Office conditions and normal office equipment.
• Working with rocks is inherently a dirty job.

Staff Mentors  

Kristen MacKenzie
Earth Sciences Collections Manager

Evan Tamez-Galvan
Jurassic Giants Preparator

Natalie Toth
Earth Sciences Chief Preparator

Stipend
$752.40 a week for 12 weeks = $12,038.40

Schedule 
Duration: 16 weeks (640 hrs); Monday to Friday 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 
Approximate start date: May 12, 2025

Application Deadline
Monday, March 3, 2025

Housing
Interns are responsible for finding and securing their own housing

Age Requirements 
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older

How to Apply
If you have not previously applied, interned, or volunteered at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, click on the blue box below titled Internship Application to create an account and complete the steps below.

1. Create an account
2. Update Your Profile
3. Select the Earth Sciences Collections Internship: Jurassic Giants of the Morrison Formation
4. Review the position description
5. Navigate to the Prerequisites section at the bottom of the form
6. Within the Prerequisites section, click on Earth Sciences Collections Internship: Jurassic Giants of the Morrison Formation
7. Upload your cover letter and resume/CV specifically for this internship
8. Last Step! Apply for the internship by selecting the position once more using the bottom Apply Now blue button located on the bottom of the form

If you have previously applied, interned, or volunteered at DMNS, contact Moe.Shuley@dmns.org to reset your account.

Current Volunteers or Interns

If you are a current volunteer or intern and want to apply, complete the steps below.

1. Log into your account on the Volunteer Portal
2. At the top menu, click on Resources
3. Select Current Internships
4. Follow steps 3 to 8 above

Questions?
For questions about the application, contact Moe.Shuley@dmns.org

For questions about the internship, contact Kristen.MacKenzie@dmns.org