Research Assistant

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.


ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Costume Institute's collection of more than thirty-three thousand costumes and accessories represents five continents and seven centuries of fashionable dress and accessories for men, women, and children, from the fifteenth century to the present. The Costume Institute complex, named the Anna Wintour Costume Center includes the Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Gallery and the Carl and Iris Barrel Apfel Gallery for the department's exhibitions. Behind the scenes is a state-of-the-art costume conservation laboratory; a study/storage facility to house the collection; and The Irene Lewisohn Costume Reference Library, one of the world's foremost fashion libraries.


GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITES & DUTIES:


The Research Assistant will assist the Senior Research Associate, Curator in Charge, and larger curatorial research team with the collection, organization and documentation of material relating to the Costume Institute's spring 2027 exhibition and its accompanying publication.


PRIMARY RESPONSIBILIES & DUTIES:

• Research and compile an extensive thematic timeline inclusive of biographical and professional milestones and related key political, sociological, artistic, and cultural events from the 1980s to the present
• Organize associated records and corresponding documentation for project bibliographies
• Assist, as needed, with the development, fact checking, and proofing of the related catalog texts and exhibition didactic display
• Assist with periodical and image research and creating records in TMS
• Assist with image management for the exhibition and related publication as needed
• Provide general research support for exhibition content
• Other related duties as needed

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Advanced degree in Costume, Art or Design History
• Knowledge of contemporary dress and fashion history
• Related curatorial experience required
• Strong research skills with proven follow-through
• Excellent organizational and planning skills; strong attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and to exercise initiative
• Fluency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel,PowerPoint)
• Good working knowledge of relevant languages preferred (French, Spanish)

COMPENSATION RANGE:

• Pay Rate: $33 - $34 / 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.

Visa Sponsorship

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

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

We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the desired attributes 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 View email address on click.appcast.io.


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.