Research Assistant

Published on 13 May 2024

Location: The Met Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Type: Full-time

About the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met showcases over 5,000 years of art from around the globe. It operates at two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also engage with The Met experience online.

Founded in 1870, The Met aims to be more than a repository of rare and beautiful objects. It is dedicated to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with a diverse staff. The Met’s core values include respect, inclusivity, collaboration, excellence, and integrity.

• Respect: Engage with empathy and kindness.
• Inclusivity: Ensure everyone feels welcome and valued.
• Collaboration: Exchange ideas and work together.
• Excellence: Lead in quality and inspire creativity.
• Integrity: Uphold high moral standards and evolve when necessary.

About the James Van Der Zee Archive

In December 2021, The Met established the James Van Der Zee Archive in collaboration with the Studio Museum in Harlem. This initiative aims to research, conserve, and provide public access to the archive of photographer James Van Der Zee (1886–1983). The Archive includes approximately 20,000 prints, 30,000 negatives, studio equipment, and manuscript materials. It is the third American photographer’s archive at The Met, following those of Walker Evans and Diane Arbus.

General Responsibilities and Duties

• Research, catalogue, and preserve materials in the James Van Der Zee Archive.
• Provide art historical and cultural perspectives during cataloguing.
• Identify associations among Van Der Zee’s work and his contemporaries.
• Assist in the project’s implementation and organization.
• Liaise with internal and external contacts regarding preservation and digitization.

This position is for a three-year term.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties

• Implement cataloguing and rehousing protocols for Archive materials.
• Create and maintain object records in The Museum System (TMS).
• Research people, places, and events represented in the Archive.
• Coordinate storage, photography, and conservation of Archive materials.
• Assist with supervision of interns and volunteers.
• Related responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in art history, museum studies, archives and collections management, African American studies, 20th Century U.S. history, or a similar field preferred.
• Strong knowledge of photographic practice and/or history.
• General knowledge of 20th-century New York City history, including the Harlem Renaissance.
• Two years of cataloguing and research experience, preferably with photographic archives.
• Proficiency with The Museum System (TMS) or other collections management systems preferred.
• Strong communication, organizational, proofreading, and analytical skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to lift boxes up to 40 pounds.

Compensation Range

• Pay Range: $31 – $32 per hour.

Compensation depends on various factors, including experience and qualifications.

Location Requirements

Employees must be within commuting distance of the Museum, located in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania.

Benefits Offerings

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• 403(b) retirement plan with optional matching.
• Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays.
• Long-term disability coverage.
• Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account.
• Commuter benefits.
• Free financial planning services.
• Financial assistance for relevant coursework and training programs.
• 25% discount in Museum shops.
• Subsidized staff cafeteria.
• Access to the Museums Council pass.

The Met is committed to full inclusion and provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to various protected categories.