Exhibition Research Associate at the Morgan Library & Museum

Job Title: Research Associate

Job Status: Full-time

Salary: $40,000 – $42,000

Description

Exhibition Research Associate

The Morgan Library & Museum seeks an Exhibition Research Associate. This two-year position in the Department of Literary and Historical Manuscripts will assist with the major exhibition Belle da Costa Greene: A Librarian’s Legacy. To mark the 2024 centenary of its life as a public institution, the Morgan will present a major exhibition devoted to the life and career of its inaugural director, Belle da Costa Greene (1879–1950). Belle da Costa Greene: A Librarian’s Legacy will trace Greene’s storied life, from her roots in a predominantly Black community in Washington, D.C., to her distinguished career at the helm of one of the world’s great research libraries. Through extraordinary objects―from medieval manuscripts and rare printed books to archival records and portraits―the exhibition will explore Greene’s work as a librarian, scholar, curator, and cultural executive, and honor her enduring legacy.

The Exhibition Research Associate will collaborate with the LHMS Department Head and departmental Belle da Costa Greene fellow to advance research and development efforts for the exhibition. Duties will include research related to the exhibition checklist and catalog and work on complementary Morgan projects, namely, the Belle Greene–Bernard Berenson Letters Project and the online Belle Greene Portrait Gallery. Time permitting, limited involvement in programming and video content related to Belle da Costa Greene may be possible.

 

Qualifications: 
  • Graduate degree (MA, MLIS, Ph.D.) in a humanities discipline or library science required.
  • Experience using digital research resources, secondary printed material, and primary sources (consulted online and in-person at special collections libraries and archives) required.
  • Experience working with collections at a museum, special collections library, or archives preferred.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in advanced historical research.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to organize complex research material, establish priorities, and manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
  • Interest in the humanities, art history, the history of libraries, and/or the history of the book preferred.
  • Interest in and familiarity with Belle da Costa Greene preferred.
  • Some ability to read cursive handwriting preferred.
  • Willingness to travel regionally to conduct original research in libraries and archives.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Drive).
  • Ability to work for extended periods on a computer, handle and move collection objects, and tolerate moderate levels of dust and odor generated during normal collection management activities, movement of objects, and cleaning
  • Ability to work at times in underground climate-controlled vaults handling collection materials

 

Compensation: 

$40,000–$42,000, commensurate with experience.

 
To apply: 

Please send a cover letter; resume including language proficiencies, and names of three references, to: literaryhistoricalsearch@themorgan.org

Important to note:
 Vaccination Requirement

To ensure the overall health and safety of the Morgan Library & Museum campus and in accordance with New York City requirements, all newly hired employees of the Morgan are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, absent qualifying exemptions for medical, religious, or other reasons in accordance with applicable laws.

EEO Statement

The Morgan is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity laws. The Morgan provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.