Associate Director, Research

This listing has no specified deadline. Published on 28 January 2026. 

Job Overview

Role: Associate Director, Research
Organisation: Gagosian
Location: New York, NY, USA
Contract: Full-time, salaried, exempt
Schedule: Monday–Friday
Salary: $100,000–$110,000 annually (commensurate with experience)

About the Role

Gagosian is seeking an Associate Director of Research to join its New York team. This is a senior research position working closely with the Director and Global Head of Research to advance and refine the gallery’s research output.

The role is both scholarly and strategic, combining in-depth research and writing with leadership, operational oversight, and cross-departmental collaboration. A core objective is to ensure that Gagosian’s research practices and materials remain best in class, supporting exhibitions, sales, artists, and internal teams through rigorous, well-presented research.

Key Responsibilities

Research, Writing, Editing & Sales Support

• Conduct in-depth research and produce, review, and refine persuasive written materials contextualising artworks in the primary and secondary markets
• Provide historical, formal, and market context to support sales strategies and client-facing conversations
• Deliver market and contextual research to inform pricing and positioning
• Work extensively with libraries, databases, archives, and primary source materials
• Lead and support object research and cataloguing, including provenance, exhibition history, and bibliographic verification
• Research museum holdings, private collections, and notable ownership histories of comparable works

Research Leadership & Strategic Development

• Partner with the Director and Global Head of Research to advance departmental priorities and research standards
• Coordinate research needs for consignments, exhibitions, and art fairs
• Identify opportunities to improve research materials for internal and external audiences
• Contribute to the development and refinement of research workflows, templates, and presentation formats

Team Support, Mentorship & Workflow Coordination

• Manage select team members and oversee day-to-day research operations
• Assign and track research projects and deadlines
• Review and provide feedback on research outputs
• Mentor junior colleagues and interns
• Contribute to a collaborative, rigorous, and collegial research culture

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Master’s degree or higher in modern or contemporary art history (or closely related field)
• 7+ years of professional experience in a commercial gallery, auction house, museum, or comparable art institution
• Demonstrated experience producing sales-focused research dossiers and contextual materials
• Strong background in object research and cataloguing best practices
• Extensive experience with libraries, databases, online resources, and primary source materials
• Exceptional writing, editing, and analytical skills
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple time-sensitive projects
• Proven discretion and sound judgment in a fast-paced, high-level environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and Adobe Acrobat

Preferred

• Managerial experience
• Experience with Adobe InDesign or similar design tools
• Familiarity with information systems or data architecture

Profile of the Ideal Candidate

• A rigorous and curious researcher balancing deep scholarship with practical application
• Comfortable working closely with senior leadership
• Collaborative, dependable, and detail-oriented
• Open to learning new systems, tools, and methodologies
• An innovative thinker with interest in evolving research practices and technologies
• Invested in fostering a strong, team-oriented research culture

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $100,000–$110,000 annually
• Comprehensive benefits through Cigna, including a fully subsidised employee-only HSA plan
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
• MetLife pet insurance
• Pre-tax flexible spending, dependent care, and commuter benefits
• Employee discount on Gagosian products and publications

Equal Opportunity Statement

Gagosian is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all current and prospective employees.