• Job Description

  Req#: WDR-00052639

  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.

  The compensation range for this position is 22.88 - 24.50 per hour.

  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.
  

  University Job Title:

  Temporary Publication/Media Assistant

  Job Family:

  Temporary Communications/Marketing

  Level:

  No Grade - Hourly

  Pay Rate Type:

  Hourly

  Pay Range:

  Refer to Posting Language

  Remote Option Availability:

  Onsite

  Company:

  Contact Name:

  Hannah Parker Carver

  Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

  Non-Union Positions

  Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

  • Prior relevant work or industry experience

  • Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

  • Unique applicable skills

  • Academic Discipline

  To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

  Union Positions

  The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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  Online Submission Guidelines:

  Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox 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 We Hire on the HR website.

  Employment Assistance:

  For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.

  If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at accommodations@cornell.edu.

  Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu.

  Notice to Applicants:

  Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here . This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

  EEEO Statement:

  Cornell University's history of diversity and inclusion encourages all students, faculty and staff to support a diverse and inclusive university in which to work, study, teach, research and serve. No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

  Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA) and qualified disabled individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act have rights in the application process and in employment under federal law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

  2025-04-28

• About the company

  Cornell University is a private Ivy League and statutory land-grant research university, based in Ithaca, New York.

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