Paleontologist job description.
A paleontologist studies fossilized plants, animals, and other organisms to understand the history of life on Earth and past environments and climates. Paleontologists conduct fieldwork to locate and excavate fossils, prepare and analyze specimens in the lab, and publish findings for academic, museum, or industry audiences. Employers include universities, natural history museums, government geological surveys, and energy or mining companies that use paleontological data to interpret rock strata and assess site history.
The Paleontologist job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 9 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Paleontologist Reports to: Curator of Paleontology or Principal Investigator
A paleontologist studies fossilized plants, animals, and other organisms to understand the history of life on Earth and past environments and climates. Paleontologists conduct fieldwork to locate and excavate fossils, prepare and analyze specimens in the lab, and publish findings for academic, museum, or industry audiences. Employers include universities, natural history museums, government geological surveys, and energy or mining companies that use paleontological data to interpret rock strata and assess site history.
- Plan and lead field expeditions to locate, document, and excavate fossil specimens
- Apply excavation and preservation techniques to protect fragile or rare fossil material
- Clean, stabilize, and prepare fossils for study, display, or storage in the lab
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
9 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
5 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
6 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Curator of Paleontology or Principal Investigator
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Plan and lead field expeditions to locate, document, and excavate fossil specimens
- Apply excavation and preservation techniques to protect fragile or rare fossil material
- Clean, stabilize, and prepare fossils for study, display, or storage in the lab
- Analyze specimens using comparative anatomy, stratigraphy, and dating methods to draw scientific conclusions
- Catalog and curate fossil collections according to museum or institutional standards
- Write technical reports, academic papers, and grant proposals based on research findings
- Collaborate with geologists, biologists, and museum staff on interdisciplinary research projects
- Develop or contribute to public exhibits, educational programs, and outreach materials
- Advise energy, mining, or construction clients on fossil findings that affect site work
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Bachelor's degree in paleontology, geology, or biology (master's or PhD required for research/museum roles)
- Field experience in fossil excavation and specimen handling
- Working knowledge of stratigraphy, taxonomy, and geologic dating methods
- Strong scientific writing and data documentation skills
- Willingness to travel to remote or physically demanding field sites
- PhD in paleontology or a related earth science field
- Publication record in peer-reviewed scientific journals
- Experience with 3D scanning, GIS, or fossil imaging software
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Paleontologist job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Paleontologist job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Curator of Paleontology or Principal Investigator) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- Does a paleontologist need a PhD?
- A bachelor's degree can qualify candidates for field technician or lab assistant roles, but most independent research, curatorial, and university positions require a master's degree or PhD.
- What industries hire paleontologists outside of museums and academia?
- Energy, mining, and construction companies hire paleontologists to assess fossil finds during excavation, and government geological surveys employ them for regional mapping and resource assessment.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Museum Curator
A Museum Curator researches, acquires, and manages a museum's collections and exhibitions.
Geologist
A geologist studies the physical structure and processes of the Earth, analyzing rock, soil, and mineral samples to support projects in construction, energy, environmental management, or research.
Research Scientist
A Research Scientist designs and conducts studies to generate new knowledge or develop products, working in fields such as life sciences, technology, or applied research.
This Paleontologist job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.