Are you passionate about natural and cultural history? Want to share your enthusiasm with others? Volunteering at the museum is a great way for lifelong learners to make new friends and share their passion for science and history. From leading exhibit tours to helping with special events, the museum offers a variety of fun ways to get involved.

Training for Public Programs volunteers is offered each year in the fall and is required for new volunteers. Applications will open by September 1 and will close on September 27, 2026. 

Public Programs Volunteer Positions

• Exhibit hall interpreters provide the personalized experiences and perspectives that make museum trips memorable and meaningful for our visitors.
• Educational program instructors inspire curiosity and critical thinking about Oregon's past and present and lead hands-on activities for K-12 classes and community members.
• Visitor Experience volunteers help with special events and community engagement. 

Benefits

Volunteering at MNCH connects you with your community, helps you meet new friends, and offers other benefits including: 

• A certificate in museum interpretation, following completion of the volunteer training series
• Additional training opportunities to further your education
• Free one-year individual museum membership 
• Invitations to special museum events
• Job references
• Museum store discount
• Invitations to volunteer-only meetups, field trips, and special events

Questions? Contact the museum's volunteer coordinator at mnchvolunteers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-1717.

Collections and Research Volunteer Positions

Volunteers contribute to the care of collections through research, documentation, and preservation needs. Volunteers participate in short-term, specialized project as well as long-term positions. Please contact us directly to learn more about upcoming opportunities. 

• Anthropological Collections: Contact Elizabeth Kallenbach, Anthropological Collections interim director, at 541-346-2853 or eak@uoregon.edu. 
• Paleontological Collections and Research: Contact Edward Davis, Condon Collection director, at 541-346-3461 or edavis@uoregon.edu or Brooklyn Christofis, Collections Manager, at 541-346-3186 or bcchr@uoregon.edu

• Archaeological Research: Contact Julia Knowles, archaeological labs manager, at 541-346-0932 or jknowles@uoregon.edu.

   

University of Oregon students volunteer in every area of the museum. Contact mnchvolunteers@uoregon.edu for general questions. Are you interested in earning university credits at the museum? Check out our Participatory Learning Experience program.