Julie K. Stein was appointed in 2005 as Director of the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. The Burke is the Washington State Museum of natural history and cultural heritage and is located on the University of Washington campus. The Burke Museum serves the public with scientific and cultural exhibits, resources for schools, and a wide range of programs for families and adults. Academic programs of the museum include collections, college classes, and research in each of its three scientific divisions-- anthropology, biology, and geology.

Stein remains a Professor in the Department of Anthropology, at the University of Washington. She received her M.A and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Minnesota, with research interests in geoarchaeology, especially studies involving sediments found within archaeological sites and archaeological stratigraphy. She emphasizes coastal adaptations of prehistoric peoples, specializing in the Northwest Coast, and the geoarchaeological problems associated with historical sites.