Research Fellow

Lydia and Doug Shorenstein Research Fellow

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), San Francisco, CA, USA

Location: San Francisco, California, USA
Type: Full-Time, Temporary (18 months), Hybrid (approximately 3 days on-site weekly)
Salary: $67,261 – $75,000 annually
Start Date: Early 2025

The Lydia and Doug Shorenstein Research Fellowship at SFMOMA offers an emerging scholar a unique opportunity to develop expertise and research skills within the museum’s Painting and Sculpture Department. Over 18 months, the Fellow will work on two primary projects:

1. Research and support for a forthcoming exhibition on postwar Northern California craft (75% focus).
2. Collection-building research and outreach on Indigenous and Native American artists, with a focus on Northern California (25% focus).

The Fellow will collaborate with curators, engage with artists and estates, and participate in the department’s activities, fostering connections within the art and museum community.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth research for the postwar Northern California craft exhibition, including archival work, annotated bibliographies, and artist correspondence.
• Build relationships and conduct research to expand the museum’s focus on Indigenous and Native American art, particularly in Northern California.
• Support exhibition planning, including creating presentations, tracking loans, and maintaining checklists and research files.
• Collaborate with divisions such as Collections Management, Conservation, and Public Engagement.
• Attend departmental and project-specific meetings and represent SFMOMA in professional circles.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • M.A. in art history or a related field required; A.B.D. or Ph.D. preferred.
• Expertise:
  • Knowledge of 20th-century California art required.
  • Familiarity with Indigenous and Native American art histories preferred.
• Skills:
  • Proven experience in scholarly research.
  • Strong organizational and communication skills.

Application Requirements

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Three References
• Writing Sample (e.g., journal article or seminar paper)

Benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life and AD&D Coverage
• Disability Insurance
• Mental Health and Wellness Benefits
• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan
• SFMOMA Membership and Discount Programs