The Denver Museum of Nature & Science hosts a rigorous field paleontology program that supports national and international curatorial research. Dinosaurs comprise nearly 80% of the fossils collected and prepared in the Earth Sciences Preparation Labs; however, crocodylians, turtles, mammals, and paleobotanical specimens are also integrated into the workflow. The Department of Earth Sciences (DES) oversees three preparation labs; two behind-the-scenes and one visible to museum guests as part of the Museum’s permanent Prehistoric Journey exhibit. Each of the labs specializes in specific preparation activities, including mechanical preparation, micro-preparation, molding and casting, air abrasion, archival cradle construction, preparation of exceptionally large vertebrate fossils, and rock billet cutting and embedding.

The Fossil Preparation Lab Intern will have opportunities to work on a variety of late Cretaceous fossil vertebrates (e.g., Majungasaurus, Rapetosaurus, Miadanasuchus) and invertebrates from Madagascar.

Applicants representing groups typically underrepresented in paleontology (e.g., women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+) are encouraged to apply.

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has a Vaccination Policy that requires all staff, volunteers, and interns to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If selected as an intern, you will be required to be fully vaccinated and submit a copy of your vaccination card at the time the internship offer is made.

The Fossil Prep Lab Intern will participate in the following activities:

• Prepare, stabilize, and repair vertebrate and invertebrate fossils using specialized equipment, tools, consolidants, and adhesives
• Build archival cradles for oversize specimens for long-term storage in collections
• Mold and cast vertebrate fossils
• Work collaboratively with other interns and volunteers
• Assist with management of supplies and equipment for the Earth Science Department
• Provide direct assistance to the Earth Sciences Department collections staff, curators, and preparators when necessary.
• Participate in public engagement events, e.g., Science on the Spot, Member Nights, Educator Open House, etc. 
• Support logistics associated with fieldwork preparation, e.g., packing field gear in trucks, large-scale grocery shopping, readying supplies, etc. 
• The Intern must conduct work within the safety guidelines of the Museum, ensuring personal safety and the safety and security of the collections.

Qualifications

• Must have a passion for the natural sciences and an interest in pursuing a career in the Earth Sciences and/or museums.
• Completed or enrolled at a 2 or 4 year institution in the Earth or Life Sciences preferred, but not required
• Strong attention to detail, patience, and fine motor skills; excellent hand-eye coordination
• Positive attitude and flexibility
• Ability to work collaboratively with Museum staff and volunteers
• Organized; ability to self-start and maintain a balance between a number of projects
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite products

Mentors 

Natalie Toth, Chief Fossil Preparator

Salvador Bastien, Fossil Preparator

Dave Krause, Curator of Paleomammals 

Tyler Lyson, Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology

Compensation 
Compensation = $635/week ($12,700 total) 
Duration = 20 weeks 

Schedule 
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., 40 hours per week

Start Date 
Flexible start date, interns have the option to start mid-September. The end date corresponds to 20 weeks after the official start date.

Housing 
Interns are responsible for finding and securing their housing.