Denver Museum of Nature & Science Careers

Are you interested in doing research and collections work in a highly collaborative and outwardly focused museum environment? We are looking for a rising star to collaborate with us to propel new and existing museum scholarship. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS) invites applications for the position of Assistant Curator of Archaeology. This role is designed for a versatile early-career scholar-practitioner who bridges the gap between traditional curatorial oversight and advanced laboratory archaeological science. The successful candidate will manage the intellectual integrity of the collections while driving research through high-level analytical techniques.

The Curator of Archaeology will oversee the documentation and preservation of archaeological collections at the Museum. Beyond traditional duties, this individual will lead the institution’s archaeological analytical initiatives, utilizing laboratory-based methods to obtain new data from both legacy museum holdings and active field projects. In addition, ideal candidates will be strong communicators with experience in informal education, outreach, and community engagement. We seek a collegial individual, especially from groups traditionally underrepresented in science, who will help the Anthropology Department grow its scientific and public impact.

The DMNS Archaeology Collection comprises over 580,000 objects, primarily from the Rocky Mountain and Plains regions, spanning deep time to the modern era. While it includes global materials, its core consists of professionally excavated Paleoindian and Archaic collections from landmark sites like Folsom, Dent, Jones Miller, and Magic Mountain, as well as the significant research opportunities presented with the newly cataloged WS Ranch collection, a Mogollon site in New Mexico. These holdings serve as a vital resource for multidisciplinary study and 21st-century multi-vocal curation, fostering collaborative relationships with Native American Tribes and source communities to provide robust teaching, outreach, and inclusive scholarship.

Job Class: Full Time

Hiring Range: $65,000 - $70,000

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, weekends and evenings as needed

Direct Reports: 0

Key Responsibilities: 

Analytical and Field Research: 

• Design and implement research protocols using techniques, not limited to, but such as XRF (X-ray Fluorescence), stable isotope analysis, proteomics, residue analysis, ceramic petrography, palaeobotanical methods and/or zooarchaeological methods. 
• Oversee or consult on excavation projects, ensuring that sampling strategies in the field align with laboratory requirements for post-excavation analysis.
• Publish and present research in appropriate scholarly, professional, and public venues.
• Elevate the impact of the Anthropology Department within and beyond the Museum.

Curatorial Stewardship: 

• Ensure the ethical curation, storage, and digitization of archaeological materials according to national and international standards. 
• Work closely with collections management and conservation staff to ensure responsible care. 
• Support digitization and access initiatives, including culturally responsive data practices.

Community Collaboration and Ethics: 

• Build and sustain long-term relationships with Indigenous and source communities. 
• Engage in collaborative and co-curated projects that share authority and decision-making. 
• Lead or contribute to provenance research, repatriation, and culturally appropriate access initiatives.
• Advise on ethical collecting, interpretation, and collections care practices.
• Maintain NAGPRA (or relevant regional heritage laws) compliance and adhere to rigorous ethical standards regarding destructive sampling and invasive testing.

Public Engagement: 

• Translate complex scientific findings into accessible narratives for exhibits, publications, and public lectures.
• Possess a broad knowledge of the discipline of archaeology, with the ability to communicate effectively to the public about topics outside one’s specific specialty/ region. 

Institutional Engagement:

• Work collaboratively with a wide range of DMNS departments, including in fields outside of their scholarly expertise, to ignite community passion for science and nature.
• Mentor interns, fellows, and early-career museum professionals.
• Represent the department in internal committees and external partnerships.
• Contribute thoughtfully to institutional conversations around equity, representation, and public accountability.
• Collaborate with community scientists, interns, and volunteers to produce scholarship, improve collections, and/or conduct outreach.
• Grow new non-scholarly relationships and networks in support of departmental and museum goals.

Minimum Qualifications/Requirements:

• Ph.D. in Anthropology, Archaeology, Archaeological Science or a related field.
• Proven proficiency in an analytical sub-discipline of archaeology (paleobotany, zooarchaeology, petrography, etc.)
• Minimum 3-years of supervisory experience in archaeological fieldwork and/or laboratory work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed publications.
• Record of a field, laboratory- and/or collections-based research program.
• Record of extramural grant acquisition and/or private fundraising skills.
• Experience utilizing and/or curating archaeological collections.
• Experience with lab equipment.
• Public speaking ability, including experience with, or interest in, developing skills in a wide range of science communication styles and media.
• Expertise in archaeology complementary to those of existing Anthropology Department curators.

Application Instructions 

A Ph.D. must be in hand at the time of application; current and ABD doctoral students will not be considered. Applications must include a single merged PDF that contains: (1) a one- to two-page cover letter stating the rationale for interest in this position and how you think you might strengthen the DMNS Anthropology team; (2) a one-page statement on your current and future research interests; (3) a one-page statement outlining your experience and vision for collections, and (4) a curriculum vitae that includes dates of conferred degrees and a list of names and contact information of three references. 

Please submit your resume by 6:00 p.m. MT on Friday, June 12th. Applications will not be accepted after this time. DMNS reserves the right to close the position prior to this date. Applications may only be accepted electronically via the Museum's website.