What is a curator?
“Curator” is the term used in museum settings for tenured and tenure-track academic scientists engaged in collections-based research, post-secondary teaching and advising, and public education. The AMNH scientific staff is led by a core of more than 40 curators. All curators hold Ph.D. degrees. The most senior position is that of curator, the equivalent of a full professor at a conventional university. The second and third level positions are associate curator and assistant curator, respectively. Following an affirmative decision in a standard rigorous, university-style tenure review of an Assistant Curator, tenure can be granted and a promotion to the position of Associate Curator is awarded. In an innovative program, tenured curators also undergo post-tenure review every seven years.
