Leacross Foundation Internship – Biodiversity (3-month contract)

WHO WE ARE Opened in 1914 and welcoming over 1.3 million visitors annually, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is Canada’s most-visited museum, ranking among the top 10 cultural institutions in North America.

At ROM, we are dedicated to building and sharing global collections, sharing knowledge, inspiring learning, and fostering community engagement.

As a globally recognized field research institute, ROM houses an impressive collection of over 18 million artworks, cultural objects, and natural history specimens, showcased in over 40 galleries and exhibition spaces.

We are committed to creating a space where art, culture, and nature intersect, connecting people and communities to the past, present and shared future.

As we continue to work toward our goals to transform and evolve as one of the world’s foremost 21st-century museums, we seek passionate and dynamic team members who embody our mission and values.

WHO WE NEED The Leacross Foundation Internship Program is for a summer internship at ROM for female-identifying students, representing a partnership that will build and strengthen the careers of undergraduate scholars while advancing ROM’s position as a premier Canadian research institution.

There will be a cohort of five interns, one in Biodiversity, one in Earth and Space (including Climate Change); Fossils; Art & Culture; and Collections Care, and these interns will meet throughout the summer to learn more about the ROM and the different collections and initiatives going on.

For the Leacross Foundation Internship in Biodiversity, we are looking for a dynamic individual who could work in several disciplines within the Department of Natural History, notably Plants, Fungi, Insects and Arachnids and Fishes for which the digitization of the collections is far from complete.

In 2024, ROM DNH was awarded Young Canada Works funding for a unique digitization initiative.

A summer student imaged Natural History specimens and labels so that they could be uploaded to the online Crowd Sourcing Platform Notes for Nature, and their data was transcribed by volunteers, which were subsequently incorporated into our TMS Database.

The 2024 Crowd Sourcing Project was a pilot project for standardizing imaging equipment, software and protocols for photographing Natural History specimens (see attached document).

The learnings from this project have been used to perfect protocols, set up two permanent imaging stations, and make a third in dedicated spaces.

They are now fully operational and are for use by staff, students, and volunteers.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT Digitize specimens and labels within the Biodiversity sections, including Plants, Fungi, Insects, Arachnids, and Fishes, where digitization is incomplete.

Upload digitized images to the Notes for Nature online crowd-sourcing platform for volunteer transcription.

Incorporate transcribed data from Notes for Nature into the museum’s TMS Collections Database to enhance collection accessibility.

Work closely with Curators, Collections Technicians, and Collections Specialists across Biodiversity collections, following a structured schedule while maintaining the ability to work independently once guidance has been provided.

Follow established protocols to create metadata for digitized images.

Ensure quality control of metadata capture, maintaining the integrity, consistency, and accessibility of the organization’s centralized digital assets.

Maintain accurate photographic, digital, and hard copy records of Natural History and Biodiversity collections for crowd-sourcing and databasing.

Participate in collection management techniques, including specimen care, handling, conservation, barcoding, and accessioning, ensuring image names and numbers correspond correctly to specimens.

Review and apply evolving digital photography standards and best practices for specimen imaging.

Participate in public outreach events as needed, engaging with visitors and sharing insights about the project.

Collaborate with other Leacross Interns to learn about their projects and different areas of the institution.

WHAT YOU BRING Completion of at least two (2) years of post-secondary training / education in a Biodiversity discipline, such as entomology, mycology, botany or ichthyology OR an acceptable equivalent in education and experience.

Demonstrated experience in handling objects and / or imaging samples, particularly with an aptitude for independent and collaborative work, showing a strong attention to detail, is a valuable asset.

Familiarity with Digital SLR cameras, lights, Adobe Bridge, Photoshop, and Capture One software would be an asset.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) would be an asset.

Strong writing / communication abilities and practical knowledge of data management reporting.

Familiarity with various graphical formats (TIFF, GIF, JPEG).

SALARY & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT START DATE : May 20, 2025, to August 29, 2025 OPEN DATE : March 12, 2025 CLOSE DATE : April 4, 2025 STATUS : Full-time Contract EMPLOYEE GROUP : Non-Union HOURLY RATE : $18.00 SCHEDULE : 5 days a week, up to 35 hours weekly LOCATIONS (Onsite) : Toronto, ON WHAT TO EXPECT IN OUR INTERVIEW PROCESS Interview : A 30-60-minute virtual interview with the Hiring Manager and a member of the HR team.

This in-depth interview will focus on your skills and how they align with the team's and ROM's needs.The above-listed process may change or vary based on the nature and scope of the position.

• All virtual conversations and interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams and may be recorded.
• WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE ROM Cultural engagement : Daily interactions with Toronto’s diverse culture and international visitors offer insights into social and cultural trends.

We champion inclusive community programs and connections through diverse experiences.

Continuous learning : At ROM, expertise and continuous skill development are paramount.

Our culture of curiosity and open-mindedness fosters growth beyond traditional career paths.

Passion & fulfillment : Our work in preserving and curating cultural narratives brings deep satisfaction.

We are passionate about the arts, global history, cultural diversity, and leveraging digital technologies to enhance accessibility.

Team & culture : ROM promotes a positive workplace with collaborative, supportive teams that encourage creativity and innovation.

We value new ideas and collective problem-solving.

Academic collaboration : We are committed to education, partnering with universities and providing student resources, underscoring our dedication to research and accessibility.

If you’re excited about this role, even if your experience differs from the specific requirements, we encourage you to apply.

We’re keen to meet candidates who can contribute their talents to our goals, and will consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, & ACCESSIBILITY At ROM, we embrace diversity in our exhibits, communities, and teams.

We encourage applications from racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, and those who can further diversify our ideas.

We are committed to equitable employment opportunities and a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.

We welcome and accommodate candidates with disabilities throughout the selection process.

Please contact us at careers@rom.on.ca for assistance.

APPLY NOW Apply today and help us create a collaborative, diverse, inclusive, and equitable space where creativity and learning flourish.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please note that all candidates receiving a verbal job offer will be subject to a background check.

This includes a criminal background check and verification of professional references, and, other checks depending on the role.

LI-Onsite   Powered by JazzHR