Research Assistant – The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, United States

Institution: The Art Institute of Chicago
Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Contract: Full-time, temporary (two-year appointment)
Department: Applied Arts of Europe
Workplace: On-site

The Art Institute of Chicago seeks a Research Assistant to support the Department of Applied Arts of Europe (AAE) in the research, documentation, and publication of the Arms and Armor collection. This two-year, full-time position involves organizing and digitizing archival materials, facilitating access to departmental records, and contributing to scholarly research and exhibition content.

Key Responsibilities

• Process and digitize departmental archival materials to professional standards
• Support research efforts by providing organized access to department archives
• Update publication, exhibition, provenance, and core data in the museum’s collection management system
• Conduct primary and secondary research on Arms and Armor objects, including comparative and technical studies
• Collaborate with the Curator to examine collection objects and update records
• Research institutional archives and contribute to catalogue documentation and publication projects
• Assist in writing or editing exhibition labels, catalogue entries, audio tours, and web content

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Curatorial Affairs, or a related field
• Academic background in European art required; specialization in decorative arts, arms and armor, or material culture (12th–18th centuries) preferred
• 1–2 years of research experience in a museum, library, or academic setting preferred
• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills with attention to detail
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities; able to work independently and collaboratively
• Computer proficiency, including Google Suite and Adobe PDF Pro
• Ability to learn museum-specific collection management systems

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs and occasionally use ladders or step stools
• Comfort working with dust and archival materials
• Extended periods of desk and computer work
• Frequent movement within office and storage areas