WHO WE AREOpened 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 NEEDThe Leacross Foundation Internship Program is a summer internship designed to support female-identifying undergraduate students as they explore careers in research, collections, and museums.
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 learning opportunities to gain exposure to ROM’s collections, research initiatives, and institutional work.
For the Leacross Foundation Internship – Fossils, we are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented student to support the processing of a recently acquired fossil collection from the Eocene of British Columbia.
This collection—acquired through the LHS Strategic Acquisition (Summer 2025)—includes approximately 10,000 fossil specimens representing plants, insects, vertebrates (including fishes and bird feathers), and other invertebrate groups. The intern will assist with unpacking, sorting, and cataloguing the collection to support research access and long-term preservation within the museum’s paleontology collections.
This role offers hands-on experience working with fossil specimens and museum collections management practices.
HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT- Carefully unpack and process fossil specimens from a recently acquired Eocene fossil collection
- Separate vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant fossils to support accurate classification and organization
- Sort and organize specimens into trays while identifying corresponding parts and counterparts
- Assign and track specimen numbers and official object numbers to support cataloguing within the paleontology collection
- Assist with organizing and preparing fossil material for long-term collections storage and research access
- Collaborate with fellow Leacross interns and participate in cohort learning sessions to gain exposure to other areas of the museum
WHAT YOU BRING- Completion of at least one (1) year of post-secondary education in evolutionary biology, biological sciences, botany, geology, paleontology, museum studies, or a related field
- Demonstrated academic knowledge or interest in paleontology or fossil collections
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Excellent attention to detail when working with scientific specimens
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a collections or research environment
- Previous experience working in a museum or collections setting is considered an asset
SALARY & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT- START DATE: as early as May 19, 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, paid on a bi-weekly basis.
- 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 PROCESSFirst 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, & ACCESSIBILITYAt 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 NOWYou 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.#LI-Onsite
