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, Earth and Space, we are looking for a dynamic individual who could work on describing new meteorites that will be submitted to the Meteoritical Society for official classification. The Earth and Space section within the Department of Natural History maintains a large and constantly growing collection of rare meteorites. Meteorites are crucial to our understanding of the formation of the Solar System. They are the only large, solid material remaining that records, in any detail, the first few tens of millions of years of the Solar System's birth 4.5 billion years ago. Meteorites are also the samples used to design much of the research instrumentation on robotic missions sent to study asteroidal and planetary bodies, such as the Mars rovers and the OSIRIS-REx mission. Studying the mineralogy of meteorites is also critical in understanding the Earth's formation. Since we cannot directly sample minerals from deep within the Earth, meteorites from asteroids provide samples of rocky proto-planets, some of which had differentiated iron cores similar to that of our Earth.
HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

• Prepare detailed sample descriptions of meteorites, including weight, size, and macroscopic observations.
• Work closely with Curators, Collections Technicians, and Collections Specialists to adhere to a schedule for processing multiple samples while maintaining the ability to work independently once guidance has been provided.
• Assist in the preparation of meteorites for analysis, including cutting samples using a high-precision, low-loss wire saw, polishing, and creating sample mounts.
• Conduct petrographic work using a microscope to examine the mineralogical composition of meteorites and select analysis targets.
• Utilize Raman spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Electron Microprobe Analyses (EMPA) as required to characterize meteorites.
• Learn and apply meteorite characterization schemes, including petrographic grade, weathering grade, and shock state.
• Maintain accurate records, including photographic, digital, and hard copy documentation of rare samples.
• Collect and analyze scientific data to classify undescribed meteorites and determine meteorite type.
• Assist in compiling data and writing a small report on meteorite findings for submission to The Meteoritical Society: International Society for Meteoritics and Planetary Science.
• Participate in public outreach events as needed, sharing knowledge with diverse audiences.
• Engage with other Leacross Interns to gain insight into different projects and areas within the institution.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Completion of at least two (2) years of post-secondary training/education in an Earth Sciences discipline, such as geology, mineralogy, planetary science OR an acceptable equivalent in education and experience.
• Experience with petrography of either terrestrial or extraterrestrial samples would be a valuable asset.
• Demonstrated experience in sample imaging, particularly with an aptitude in independent and collaborative work showing a strong attention to detail, is a valuable asset.
• Familiarity with meteorite classifications and nomenclature would be a valuable asset.
• Analytical experience on a variety of laboratory instruments, such as a petrographic microscope, Raman spectrometer, electron microscope, or scanning electron microscope, would be an asset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) would be an asset.

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
• LOCATION (Onsite): Toronto, ON

WHAT TO EXPECT IN OUR INTERVIEW PROCESS

1. 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 [email protected] 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

9x2r7YeHoC