(Part-time, Temporary) Research Assistant, Egyptian Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art – Museum Studies

Job Title: Research Assistant – Egyptian Art

Job Status: Part-time, temporary (2 years)

About The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art collects, studies, conserves, and presents significant works of art across all times and cultures in order to connect people to creativity, knowledge, and ideas.

The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Since it was founded in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. Every day, art comes alive in the Museum’s galleries and through its exhibitions and events, revealing both new ideas and unexpected connections across time and across cultures.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

The primary responsibility of the Research Assistant is to undertake research related to The Department of Egyptian Art’s excavations at the site of Malqata, located on the west bank of Thebes. The candidate will work closely with the Director of the Expedition and the Curator in Charge of the Department to carry out directed archive and library research to assist with forthcoming publications on the work carried out at the site. He/She/They will also oversee all administrative duties related to the upcoming field seasons. A successful candidate should therefore have excellent communication skills and a demonstrated ability to be well organized.

In addition to the above duties, the Research Assistant will also be responsible for supporting the Curator in Charge with research and administration associated with other Department projects including upcoming exhibitions, publications, and presentations. A background in museum work is not essential for this position; however, the candidate will ideally have a specialty in the art and archaeology of the eastern Mediterranean world.

This position is a two-year end dated part-time appointment.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

Familiarize oneself with the site of Malqata, its excavation history, and The Met’s current goals there.
Oversee all administrative duties related to the excavation at Malqata, including organizing and filing all administrative documents, including producing security permission forms and contracts, ordering supplies, and communicating with team members.
Process the notes, plans, and photographs from the season as directed.
Carry out preliminary library research as directed.
Work on needs for publications as directed.
Communicate and collect information from the collection management team as needed.
Work with the Departmental Administrator to manage the Curator in Charge’s calendar, including travel and internal departmental meetings.
Support the Curator in Charge by preparing meeting materials, paperwork, and research related to exhibitions, acquisitions, and other departmental initiatives related to the collection
Other related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

Fully vaccinated with an FDA or WHO authorized vaccine (or approved for an exemption as a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, sincerely held religious belief, or pregnancy, or because you are a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sex offenses).

Experience and Skills:

Excellent organizational skills and a passion to carry out scholarly work precisely.
Demonstrated understanding of how to carry out research for a major academic institution of worldwide renown.
Detailed oriented with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Demonstrated ability to support a supervisor, while working well with a team.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Knowledge and Education:

BA required, MA in either Egyptology, Anthropology, or Art History preferred with specific expertise in the art and archaeology of the eastern Mediterranean world
Computer literacy (Microsoft Office) required, with advance knowledge of Microsoft PowerPoint preferred.
Knowledge of databases (TMS and FileMaker) preferred

Benefits Offerings

The Museum provides competitive compensation, and generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees. Note: Benefits Offering may differ based on Employee Status.

Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
403(b) basic retirement plan and optional matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays
Long-term disability coverage
Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account (pre-tax income for eligible health care expenses)
Commuter benefits (pre-tax income for parking or mass transit expenses)
Free financial-planning services
Financial assistance for relevant coursework, seminars, and training programs
25% discount for staff in Museum shops
A subsidized staff cafeteria
Access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.