Collections Manager

Department: Museum of Natural and Cultural History
Rank: Research Assistant (Type C)
Annual Basis: 12 Month

Review of Applications Begins

October 28 2025; position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

To be considered for this position a complete application must include:
A current CV or resume
A cover letter addressing how you meet the minimum qualifications professional competencies and any preferred qualifications.
Three (3) professional references with contact information. References will not be contacted until you are notified.

We are interested in finding the best candidate for the position. We encourage you to apply even if you dont think you meet every one of our preferred qualifications--use your application to let us know what is meaningful to you about the role and what transferable skills or other qualities you would bring.

Department Summary

As an essential partner in the Universitys educational research and public service mission the University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History (MNCH) enhances knowledge of Earths environments and cultures inspiring stewardship of our collective past present and future.

The museum is a center of interdisciplinary research and education serving the State of Oregon the University of Oregon Native American Tribes the research community K-12 students and teachers and the wider public in Oregon and beyond.

An established major engine of archaeological research in the American West the museums Archaeological Research Division works across the state on dozens of archaeological projects each year. The MNCH is also the State of Oregons official repository for publicly owned collections and is home to hundreds of thousands of ethnographic and archaeological objects fossils and biological specimens from Oregon and around the world.

The museum annually welcomes more than 30000 visitors and serves another 20000 Oregonians through its statewide educational programs. A winner of the 2018 National Medal for Museum and Library Service the museum is fully accredited by the American Alliance of Museums distinguishing it as one of the very best museums in the nation.

The Museum employs a staff of approximately 40 faculty researchers classified administrative and student employees across several facilities on the University of Oregon Eugene campus. Annual expenditures are about $3 million from dozens of funding sources and allocated among a variety of projects across four museum divisions.

Position Summary

The Collections Manager is responsible for day-to-day object and archives preservation and management. This position oversees environmental controls; facilitates access; oversees management of digital assets; coordinates and corresponds with donors; and supervises staff students and volunteers who work in the division. The Collections Manager position is at 1.0 FTE with .75 FTE dedicated to Anthropological Collections and .25 dedicated to Paleontological Collections. This position works with the Director of Anthropological Collections the Director of the Condon Collections and the Executive Director to develop and implement policies and procedures that align with professional standards in the field and comply with all UO state and federal guidelines. This position reports to the Director of Anthropological Collections.

Minimum Requirements

Masters degree and current research portfolio in anthropology/archaeology earth sciences or museum-related field
Two (2) years of experience working with ethnographic and/or archaeological or paleontological collections
Experience supervising employees students and/or volunteers
Experience working with Native American Tribes

Professional Competencies

Excellent research and writing skills
Ability to collaborate with individuals and organizations from diverse cultural backgrounds
Clear understanding of museum ethics and best practices
Knowledge of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and museums responsibility toward Native American Tribes
Advanced knowledge of legal and ethical standards for stewarding anthropological archaeological and paleontological collections

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in higher education or similarly complex organization
Five (5) years of experience working in a collections center with varied environmental and access protocols
Experience successfully working with Tribes in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest
Five (5) years of experience supervising employees and/or volunteers
Experience with budgeting and financial management

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees including health insurance retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits visit our website.

The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process please email us or call .

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color religion national origin sex sexual orientation gender identity gender expression pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions) age physical or mental disability genetic information (including family medical history) ancestry familial status citizenship service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law) veteran status expunged juvenile record and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs activities and employment practices as required by Title IX other applicable laws and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access. Contact information related policies and complaint procedures are listed here.

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