Field Museum - Digitizing the Mazon Creek Plant Fossil Collection
The Field Museum - Digitizing the Mazon Creek Plant Fossil Collection
Position Title: Digitizing the Mazon Creek Plant Fossil Collection
Location:The Field Museum Chicago - Paleobotany Collection
Fixed Pay Per Semester: $4500
Hours: 15 hours per week on site; Weekdays during business hours of 9am-5pm.
Start & End Date: January 20, 2026-May 15, 2026
Experience Level: Entry Level
Number of openings: 1
Application Details: Apply on Handshake - CV & Cover Letter required.
About Us
The Field Museum fuels a journey of discovery across time to enable solutions for a brighter future rich in nature and culture. We house close to forty million objects representing zoology, botany, geology, and anthropology, and these collections form the foundation of the Museum’s exhibitions, research, and education programs.
Description of Internship
The Mazon Creek fossil beds southwest of Chicago preserve a diverse flora and fauna from the Pennsylvanian Subperiod (307 million years ago), when Illinois was located along the equator and forests grew along the ancient coastline. The Field Museum Paleobotany Collection houses the largest collection of plant fossils from this region of Illinois, including diverse leaves, cones, and seeds. This project seeks to continue digitization of the Mazon Creek plant fossil collection, focusing on photographing specimens. Interns will learn specimen photography techniques and how to curate plant fossils, including storing and databasing specimens. Data generated during this project, including photographs, will be made available through the museum’s online database, increasing the accessibility of these fossils to researchers and the general public.
The cultural perks you’ll enjoy as an intern include free admission to the Field for you and your family and discounts at Field museum restaurants and retail shops. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet world-renowned scientists and experts, explore our libraries, and connect with other enthusiasts who share your fascination with history, science, and culture.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Assist paleobotany collections manager in digitizing fossil specimens
- Photograph fossils using specimen photography techniques as outlined by supervisor
- Process photographs (renaming files, focus stacking, image editing)
- Upload photographs to collections database and update specimen catalog information as needed
Qualifications
- Prior photography experience and ability to learning specimen photography techniques
- Knowledge of Photoshop or similar programs a plus
- Database experience a plus
- Good organizational skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to work collaboratively and independently
This internship is funded through IBHE grant (Illinois Cooperative Work Study Program): #26ICWS15.