Florida State University’s Institute for Digital Information & Scientific Communication (idiginfo.org) and Department of Biological Science (bio.fsu.edu) invite applications for a Digitization Resources Manager for the iDigBio project (idigbio.org). iDigBio is the US National Resource for Advancing Digitization of Biodiversity Collections and is based at Florida State University (FSU), University of Florida, and Arizona State University. Biodiversity collections curate such things as plants on sheets, fossils in drawers, fish in jars, and insects on pins, and there are about a billion specimens of this type curated by more than 1500 US collections. The portion of iDigBio based at FSU is iDigBio’s Digitization, Workforce Development, and Participatory Sciences Domain. iDigBio began in 2011 and has a current 5-year grant from the US National Science Foundation (https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2027654&HistoricalAwards=false) with this position budgeted through to mid-2026.

 

The Digitization Resources Manager will collaborate with others in the domain and across iDigBio in the following ways:

 

(1) Discover and develop protocols, best practices, standards, and tools that facilitate digitization of biodiversity specimens.  The responsibility includes assessment and synthesis of successful strategies across disparate organizations and scientific disciplines.

 

(2) Initiate and facilitate community-building among various stakeholders to advance collaboration and accelerate development and adoption of successful strategies for digitization.

 

(3) Deliver successful strategies for digitization via a digitization help desk, a digitization knowledgebase, and other deliverables for the community.

 

(4) Participate in leadership of the iDigBio project and its deliverables through membership on the iDigBio Steering Committee and (potentially) direction of several iDigBio working groups.

 

The Digitization Resources Manager should bring experience with the digitization of biodiversity (or similar) collections and digital data management. (Similar collections could include, for example, cultural heritage collections.) However, the successful Digitization Resources Manager applicant need not start with an advanced knowledge of all potential digitization topics. The Digitization Resources Manager should also have excellent communication, documentation, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.  The Digitization Resources Manager will sometimes participate in the development and delivery of professional development opportunities with iDigBio’s Workforce Development Manager. The position is a great opportunity to play a central role advancing the important work of the biodiversity collections community.

 

The position is classified as remote, though it can also be based in Tallahassee, Florida. Tallahassee is the state capital and located adjacent to one of North America’s biodiversity hotspots, which is protected in an extensive patchwork of natural areas, such as the Apalachicola National Forest, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Wakulla Springs State Park, and many others. The area has abundant outdoor opportunities, including paddling the springs and rivers, hiking and biking the many miles of trails, swimming and snorkeling on the coast, fishing, and more.

 

The starting annual salary is expected to be somewhere from the mid $50,000’s to a bit higher, depending on training and prior experience.  Tallahassee’s cost of living is below the national average, and the city is home to a number of strong public schools.

 

To learn more and apply visit https://jobs.omni.fsu.edu/psc/sprdhr_er/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_SCHJOB_FL&Action=U .  Search for the job id 57164.

 

To apply, you will be asked to provide your resume.  I encourage you to also attach a cover letter in which you cite how your past experiences prepare you to successfully accomplish the responsibilities of the position.  I will be happy to answer questions that you might have—just email me at amast@fsu.edu.

 

Applications are due by April 17.  A starting date could be as early as mid-May, depending on scheduling of interviews and reference checks.