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 a summer internship opportunity designed to support female-identifying undergraduate students in exploring careers in research, collections, and museums.

As part of this program, five interns will work across different areas of the museum: Biodiversity, Earth & Space (including Climate Change), Fossils, Art & Culture, and Collections Care. Throughout the summer, interns will participate in cohort-based learning opportunities to gain insight into ROM’s research, collections, and institutional initiatives.

For the Leacross Foundation Internship in Biodiversity, we are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented student to support the Niagara Escarpment Ancient Tree Atlas Archive (NEATAP) project.

NEATAP is a unique collection of white cedar tree cores and sections representing some of Canada’s oldest trees. This project focuses on accessioning, cataloguing, and housing these materials to ensure long-term preservation and accessibility for future research into climate history and land use patterns.

This internship provides hands-on experience working with scientific collections and research data within a collaborative museum environment.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

Verify and reconcile specimen inventories by matching recorded core numbers with physical tree core and section specimens
Extract research data from Niagara Escarpment Ancient Tree Atlas Project publications and enter structured data into spreadsheets to support long-term research use
Prepare archival storage trays and organize tree cores and sections by site, ensuring accurate labelling and storage within the herbarium collection
Assist with accessioning and organizing materials within the NEATAP archive to support long-term preservation and accessibility
Participate in public outreach or educational programs related to biodiversity and research collections, as required
Collaborate with fellow Leacross interns and participate in cohort learning sessions to gain exposure to different areas of the museum
Support additional project tasks as needed within the Biodiversity collections

WHAT YOU BRING

Completion of at least one (1) year of post-secondary education, preferably in Science, Museum Studies, Library and Information Science, or a related field
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, particularly when working with specimens and data
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment
Willingness to take direction and learn new techniques and processes
Interest in biodiversity research, natural history collections, or museum work
Prior experience handling specimens or working with collections is an asset
Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, particularly Excel; ability to learn new software and systems as needed

SALARY & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

START DATE: as early as May 18, 2026
END DATE: as late as August 14, 2026
OPEN DATE: March 18, 2026
CLOSE DATE: April 10, 2026
STATUS: Full-time Contract
EMPLOYEE GROUP: Non-Union
EXPECTED COMPENSATION: $18/hour
SCHEDULE: 35 hours weekly
PROBATIONARY PERIOD: The internship period will serve as the evaluation period for this role.
LOCATION (onsite): Toronto, ON

WHAT TO EXPECT IN OUR INTERVIEW PROCESS

First interview: A 30-minute virtual panel-style interview with the hiring 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 careers@rom.on.ca for assistance.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ROM does not require “Canadian experience.” International applicants with equivalent experience are encouraged to apply
ROM uses technology-assisted tools (including JazzHR TalentFit) to support the review and screening of applications. All hiring decisions are made by human reviewers
This posting is for an existing vacancy

APPLY NOW

You must include a cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest, and an updated CV.

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.

Royal Ontario Museum

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