Temporary Science Illustrator - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Are you an early career artist who appreciates and understands the relationship between art and nature, and have an interest in birds? The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is offering an opportunity to an Illustrator to join the Bartels Science Illustration Program for a unique visiting artist residency. This is a full-time, paid temporary appointment up to one year long.

The Bartels Science Illustration Program offers opportunities to early-career illustrators seeking to gain experience in the field of science illustration and expand their portfolios while working on projects that help the Cornell Lab achieve its broader mission. This program has been highly successful in how it benefits both the illustrator and the organization, offering the artist the opportunity to work with a range of departments including Communications (Living Bird Magazine), Membership (Gifts for members), Education (K-12 programs), Higher Education (helping to teach undergraduate classes) and directly with many Cornell Lab scientists to communicate important research to the public. The artist will also benefit from the mentorship and supervision of the staff biological illustrator which, along with access to a broad range of specialists, is truly an experience unique to the Cornell Lab and results in a diverse portfolio that can aid the illustrator in career development.

The Bartels Science Illustration Program is well-known in the professional field of science illustration as a rare and valuable opportunity for early career professionals with substantial biological illustration skills who are at the portfolio-building stage.

What you will need

As the Bartels Illustrator, you will need to work as part of team and independently, contributing to a productive work environment. You will need to be able to communicate ideas to others and work collaboratively and inclusively to develop visuals that further the Cornell Lab's mission. Additional requirements include:

• Associate's degree and 1-2 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Able to deliver work on schedule and the ability to incorporate feedback throughout the production process.
• Biological accuracy is highly important, and the illustrator will consult with their direct supervisor and other Cornell Lab experts before final completion and delivery of artwork.
• Willingness to work on a broad range of projects that come up during the residency with various subject matters, styles, audiences, and applications.
• Respect for and sensitivity to differences of culture, identity, and background in the workplace and with external stakeholders.

If you possess these experiences and skills, this may be the role for you!
There are a few other qualifications that we would view as incredibly helpful in this role, including:

• Certification in scientific illustration or a degree in a related field is preferred, and/or equivalent work experience as demonstrated in portfolio samples.
• College-level course work related to science illustration including fine art courses such as observational drawing courses, and courses in related fields such as illustration and graphic design, as well as biology and the sciences.
• A passion for further developing your skills in ornithological art
• Experience and skill in drawing and painting birds in one or more mediums or artistic styles.
• General professional interest in science and science communication.
• An interest in art instruction and sharing artistic techniques with others through university courses and informal workshops. Please note, experience with teaching is helpful but not required.

These positions are filled through an annual call for applications that is publicized widely. Appointments to these temporary positions are for periods of up to one year. Owing to teaching opportunities and other collaborative activities, the ability to work on-site at the Cornell Lab is required.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Housing is the responsibility of the participant.

How to Apply:
Application deadline is May 23, 2025. Position begins in Fall 2025.
You must submit a CV, and a cover letter in which you describe your relevant background and your interest in our scientific illustration program. Your submission must also include a portfolio of 8-10 image illustration samples that demonstrates experience and skill in the illustration of wildlife and natural subjects including birds. It's recommended to combine all files (CV, cover letter and portfolio image files) into one PDF file when uploading. Ensure the pdf is not too large-images should be viewable on a regular screen without pixelation but need not be very large-reduce file size if necessary. If you experience technical issues or need assistance uploading your files to our site, you may contact Hannah Parker Carver (hp477@cornell.edu). For other questions, please contact the program coordinator, Jillian Ditner jd958@cornell.edu.

You can upload documents either by "dragging and dropping" them or by using the "upload" icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How to Apply on Cornell's HR website. If you are an internal employee, please log in to Workday to apply.

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

Cornell is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information, please visit hr.cornell.edu/eeo.

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