Leacross Intern Biodiversity (3-month contract)

WHO WE ARE
Opened in 1914 and welcoming over 1.3 million visitors annually the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is Canadas most-visited museum ranking among the top 10 cultural institutions in North America. At ROM we are dedicated to building and sharing global collections sharing knowledge inspiring learning and fostering community engagement. As a globally recognized field research institute ROM houses an impressive collection of over 18 million artworks cultural objects and natural history specimens showcased in over 40 galleries and exhibition spaces. We are committed to creating a space where art culture and nature intersect connecting people and communities to the past present and shared future.

As we continue to work toward our goals to transform and evolve as one of the worlds foremost 21st-century museums we seek passionate and dynamic team members who embody our mission and values.

WHO WE NEED

The Leacross Foundation Internship Program is a summer internship opportunity designed to support female-identifying undergraduate students in exploring careers in research collections and museums.

As part of this program five interns will work across different areas of the museum: Biodiversity Earth & Space (including Climate Change) Fossils Art & Culture and Collections Care. Throughout the summer interns will participate in cohort-based learning opportunities to gain insight into ROMs research collections and institutional initiatives.

For the Leacross Foundation Internship in Biodiversity we are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented student to support the Niagara Escarpment Ancient Tree Atlas Archive (NEATAP) project.

NEATAP is a unique collection of white cedar tree cores and sections representing some of Canadas oldest trees. This project focuses on accessioning cataloguing and housing these materials to ensure long-term preservation and accessibility for future research into climate history and land use patterns.

This internship provides hands-on experience working with scientific collections and research data within a collaborative museum environment.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

• Verify and reconcile specimen inventories by matching recorded core numbers with physical tree core and section specimens
• Extract research data from Niagara Escarpment Ancient Tree Atlas Project publications and enter structured data into spreadsheets to support long-term research use
• Prepare archival storage trays and organize tree cores and sections by site ensuring accurate labelling and storage within the herbarium collection
• Assist with accessioning and organizing materials within the NEATAP archive to support long-term preservation and accessibility
• Participate in public outreach or educational programs related to biodiversity and research collections as required
• Collaborate with fellow Leacross interns and participate in cohort learning sessions to gain exposure to different areas of the museum
• Support additional project tasks as needed within the Biodiversity collections

WHAT YOU BRING

• Completion of at least one(1) year of post-secondary education preferably in Science Museum Studies Library and Information Science or a related field
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail particularly when working with specimens and data
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment
• Willingness to take direction and learn new techniques and processes
• Interest in biodiversity research natural history collections or museum work
• Prior experience handling specimens or working with collections is an asset
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools particularly Excel; ability to learn new software and systems as needed

SALARY & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

• START DATE: as early as May 18 2026
• END DATE: as late as August 142026
• OPEN DATE:March 18 2026
• CLOSE DATE: April 10 2026
• STATUS:Full-time Contract
• EMPLOYEE GROUP:Non-Union
• EXPECTED COMPENSATION:$18/hour
• SCHEDULE: 35 hours weekly
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD:The internship period will serve as the evaluation period for this role.
• LOCATION(onsite): Toronto ON

WHAT TO EXPECT IN OUR INTERVIEW PROCESS

1. First interview:A 30-minute virtual panel-style interview with the hiring team. This in-depth interview will focus on your skills and how they align with the teams and ROMs needs.

The above-listed process may change or vary based on the nature and scope of the position.

**All virtual conversations and interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams and may be recorded.**

WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE ROM

• Cultural engagement: Daily interactions with Torontos diverse culture and international visitors offer insights into social and cultural trends. We champion inclusive community programs and connections through diverse experiences.
• Continuous learning: At ROM expertise and continuous skill development are paramount. Our culture of curiosity and open-mindedness fosters growth beyond traditional career paths.
• Passion & fulfillment: Our work in preserving and curating cultural narratives brings deep satisfaction. We are passionate about the arts global history cultural diversity and leveraging digital technologies to enhance accessibility.
• Team & culture: ROM promotes a positive workplace with collaborative supportive teams that encourage creativity and innovation. We value new ideas and collective problem-solving.
• Academic collaboration: We are committed to education partnering with universities and providing student resources underscoring our dedication to research and accessibility.

If youre excited about this role even if your experience differs from the specific requirements we encourage you to apply. Were keen to meet candidates who can contribute their talents to our goals and will consider an equivalent combination of knowledge skills education and experience.


COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY EQUITY INCLUSION & ACCESSIBILITY
At ROM we embrace diversity in our exhibits communities and teams. We encourage applications from racialized persons Indigenous Peoples persons with disabilities 2SLGBTQI individuals and those who can further diversify our ideas. We are committed to equitable employment opportunities and a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.

We welcome and accommodate candidates with disabilities throughout the selection process. Please contact us at emailprotected for assistance.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• ROM does not require Canadian experience. International applicants with equivalent experience are encouraged to apply.
• ROM uses technology-assisted tools (including JazzHR TalentFit) to support the review and screening of applications. All hiring decisions are made by human reviewers.
• This posting is for an existing vacancy.

You must include a cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest and an updated CV.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please note that all candidates receiving a verbal job offer will be subject to a background check. This includes a criminal background check and verification of professional references and other checks depending on the role.

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