Geology

NO VACANCIES AT THIS TIME

Volunteers assist with organizing, identifying and cataloging the Museum's mineral collection.

Time commitment: Minimum 4 hours per month — work at least two hours at a time on weekdays (Monday–Friday, 8 am–4 pm)
Training/Experience: On-the-job; a working knowledge of basic geology and ability to lift 10–20 pounds on a fairly regular basis is helpful.

Ichthyology (Fish)

"Fish head" volunteers catalogue, label and shelve specimens at the Museum's Research Lab on Reedy Creek Road in west Raleigh. Other duties include identification, stabilization of preserved specimens and data entry.

Time commitment: 4–6 hours per month (Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm)
Training/Experience: On-the-job training; willingness to work and a strong desire to learn

Library

NO VACANCIES AT THIS TIME

Volunteers sort, shelve and file library materials; process new materials; repair books; enter data into online databases or applications; scan 35mm slides; and enter data online.

Time commitment: 4–6 hours per month (Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm)
Training/Experience: On-the-job training provided by library staff. Basic computer skills preferred.

Malacology (Aquatic Invertebrates)

Volunteers assist with the Museum's crayfish and mollusk (primarily freshwater clams and snails) collection. Working with a technician, volunteers help maintain collections by replacing alcohol and help record specimens by collection locality — some sorting of species may be required. Work is done at the Museum’s Research Lab on Reedy Creek Road in west Raleigh.

Time commitment: 4–6 hours per month (Monday–Friday, 9 am-5 pm)
Training/Experience: On-the-job training; a strong desire to learn

Mammology (Mammals)

NO VACANCIES AT THIS TIME

Volunteers assist with specimen preparation (preparing study skins and cleaning skeletal material), data entry and cataloging (identification, labeling and shelving specimens). Some prior knowledge of mammal identification required. Note: This position does not involve working with live program animals.

Time commitment: 4–6 hours per month (Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm)
Training/Experience: On-the-job training provided with supervision as necessary

Ornithology (Birds)

Not Accepting Any Volunteers Until September 2010

Volunteers assist with data entry and updating and organizing bird research publication list. Volunteers may learn study skin preparation.

Time commitment: 4–6 hours per month (September–April, Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm)
Training/Experience: On-the-job training provided with supervision as needed

Paleontology (Fossils)

NO VACANCIES AT THIS TIME

Volunteers assist with paleo collections by cleaning, preserving and preparing specimens. Picking matrix samples, numbering specimens and cataloging fossils are other aspects of the position.

Time commitment: 4–6 hours per month (Monday–Friday, 8 am–4 pm)
Training/Experience: On-the-job training with supervision

Conservation Genetics

NO VACANCIES AT THIS TIME

Volunteers work in a genetics lab at the Museum’s Research Lab in west Raleigh. Projects may include DNA extraction, PCR amplification of genetic materials, data collection, organization of archived samples and routine lab maintenance.

Time commitment: 3–4-hour block weekly. Many tasks will require back-to-back days. (Monday–Friday, 9 am–4 pm)
Training/Experience: Volunteers will be trained in techniques and protocols that they are interested in learning. Basic computer skills and some genetic experience are preferred but not required.

Volunteer Application Form

For more information, contact Tullie Johnson, volunteer coordinator, at 919.733.7450 x605.