Research Assistant at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Job Title: Research Assistant
Job Status: Full-time
Location: New York, NY
Salary: $32-$34/hr
About The Metropolitan Museum Of Art
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. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online.
Since its founding in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with a staff as diverse as the audiences we engage. Our staff members are art lovers who are passionate about working toward a common goal: creating the most dynamic and inspiring art museum in the world.
At The Met, every staff member – from security officers to researchers to scientists and beyond – lives by our core values of respect, inclusivity, collaboration, excellence, and integrity.
Respect: Engage one another with collegiality, empathy, and kindness, always.
Inclusivity: Ensure that all are and feel welcome and valued.
Collaboration: Reach across boundaries to exchange ideas and work together toward our shared mission.
Excellence: Lead the cultural world in quality and expertise—and inspire curiosity and creativity.
Integrity: Hold ourselves to the highest moral standards, admit when we fall short, and then evolve.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
As the Research Assistant, you will be primarily responsible for providing administrative support and undertaking research for the upcoming exhibition Fact & Fantasy: Orientalisms between Paris, Cairo, and Istanbul, opening at The Met in June, 2026.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
- Assist with research for the exhibition and accompanying catalogue.
- Work closely with exhibition curators and Publications and Editorial Department on the organization of the exhibition catalogue, including the editing of texts, securing images and rights, preparing captions and bibliographies, and corresponding with external authors.
- Coordinate with registrars/departmental collections team on database updates regarding loans.
- Maintain object checklist and files and assist with lender correspondence, processing of exhibition agreements and other forms.
- Assist with the application for immunity from seizure by conducting provenance research and compiling other materials.
- Organize meetings with other Met departments, including Design, Education, Editorial, Registrar, External Affairs, and Development, and coordinating agendas and follow-up/next steps.
- Work closely with Design Department during gallery Schematic Design, Design Development, and Construction Drawing phases.
- Assist with the composition of interpretive material, including gallery labels, images/captions, digital content, or other assets, and securing rights.
- Assist with grant applications and other fundraising opportunities, as needed.
- Assist with the build-out of the exhibition web page and other promotional materials/media, as needed.
- Assist with coordination of any programs and/or symposia related to the exhibition.
- Assist with gallery installation/deinstallation and working with couriers.
- Other duties as assigned.
Education & Experience:
- MA in art history or related field.
- Background or interest in one or several of the following disciplines is desirable: 19th century European art; 19th century East/West relations; Islamic Art; Decorative Arts from Europe or America; Reading knowledge of French and Turkish is desirable
- Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel), Microsoft Teams, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and Adobe Photoshop; experience with TMS (The Museum System) database and bibliographic software (e.g., Zotero) preferred.
- Excellent organizational skills, efficient, detail-oriented multitasker who is a good communicator and can work independently in order to meet deadlines.
COMPENSATION RANGE:
- Pay Range: $32.00 – $34.00 / Hourly
- The advertised pay scale reflects the good faith minimum and maximum salary range for this role. The advertised pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.
Location Requirements
At time of employment, employees are expected to be located within commuting distance of the Museum. “Commuting distance” means that they are located in one of following states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania (the “Tri-state and PA” areas), and be able to commute to and from the Museum in a single day.
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 Met is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, The Met will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed in this process, please contact benefits@metmuseum.org.
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.