Professional Resume Template for
Paleontologist
Dr. Sarah J. Sterling
Denver, CO
(303) 555-0182
sarah.sterling@earthhistory.org
linkedin.com/in/sarah-sterling-paleo | github.com/sarahsterling-gis | sarahsterling.science
Professional Summary
Research-minded Paleontologist with 6 years of experience managing high-stakes geological field surveys and cataloging vertebrate fossil collections. Led 5 major excavation expeditions across the Rocky Mountain region, securing $240,000 in federal research grants and discovering over 150 vertebrate fossil specimens. Developed a 3D photogrammetry pipeline that reduced digital asset reconstruction times by 32% while increasing surface detail accuracy. Expert in biostratigraphy, GIS mapping, and specimen preparation techniques. Collaborated with academic institutions to publish 4 peer-reviewed studies in high-impact geosciences journals.
Work Experience
Lead Paleontologist — Rocky Mountain Museum of Natural History
Denver, CO | January 2023 – Present
- Directed 4 large-scale fossil excavation campaigns in the Morrison Formation, managing a team of 12 field technicians and successfully recovering 85 vertebrate specimens.
- Secured a $180,000 NSF research grant to digitize collections, enabling the 3D laser scanning of 1,200 archive specimens and increasing online database traffic by 45%.
- Implemented a revised curation cataloging protocol using Python scripts, which reduced database registration bottlenecks by 38% and cleared a 3-year processing backlog.
- Coordinated with environmental compliance agencies to review 25 construction site surveys, preventing potential fossil destruction and ensuring zero regulatory violations.
Associate Paleontologist & Curator — Great Plains Paleontological Institute
Rapid City, SD | September 2020 – December 2022
- Led fossil preparation lab activities for a collection of 500+ late Cretaceous specimens, utilizing pneumatic scribes and micro-abrasive techniques to prep 90+ fossils.
- Authored 3 peer-reviewed research papers in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, presenting taxonomic classifications for 2 previously undescribed reptile species.
- Managed a $60,000 annual field logistics budget, negotiating vendor contracts for remote camp supplies to decrease operational excavation expenses by 14% over two seasons.
- Developed a public education exhibit detailing local prehistoric ecosystems, which increased quarterly museum visitors by 22% and attracted 3 local school partnerships.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Earth and Space Sciences
University of Colorado Boulder · Boulder, CO · 2020
Skills
Field excavation, Fossil preparation, Biostratigraphy, GIS mapping, 3D photogrammetry, Sedimentology, Specimen curation, Python (data analysis), R, Database management, Geological survey, Grant writing
Projects
Morrison Formation Dig (Denver Basin)
Role: Principal Excavation Leader
Tools: ArcGIS, Python, Leica 3D Scanner, Agisoft Metashape
Supervised the excavation of a near-complete Diplodocus skeleton, completing the field recovery 12 days ahead of schedule and within 95% of the allocated budget.
Digital Fossil Archive Initiative
Role: Curation Database Lead
Tools: Python, SQL, PostgreSQL, Django, Sketchfab API
Architected a cloud-based relational database for 10,000+ specimens, boosting research data retrieval times by 65% and sharing 350 interactive 3D models with the public.
Certifications
- Wilderness First Responder (WFR) - NOLS (2021)
- OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Safety Certification (2022)
Additional information
- Languages: English (Native), German (Conversational)
- Academic Reviewer: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology (2022–present)
- Availability: 3 weeks notice
Job Market Insights
Market data and opportunities for
Paleontologist
Job Market Insights
$68,000
-
$118,000
Avg:
$92,000
Growth Outlook:
Employment of paleontologists and geoscientists in the United States is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by the need for resource management, environmental protection, and mitigation during large infrastructure projects. Paleontologists will find opportunities in geological consulting, environmental mitigation services, and museum curation as regulations require fossil surveys. Advanced degrees and computational skills in GIS and statistical analysis will remain highly advantageous.
3% growth from 2024 to 2034
Key Skills Required
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