Research Assistant, Rembrandt & the Ancients [End-Dated]

About the Metropolitan Museum of Art

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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 provide administrative and research support for an upcoming exhibition and publication on Rembrandt van Rijn’s interest in the ancient past, opening at The Met in November 2027 and closing in February 2028. You will support the curatorial, administrative, and exhibitions teams throughout the planning, development, and execution of the exhibition and its accompanying catalogue.

This is a position with an established end-date or time frame. Time frames will begin upon hire: 2 years.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

• Assist with library, archival, and online research for the exhibition and accompanying catalogue

• Assist with lender correspondence and the processing and tracking of exhibition loan agreements and other forms

• Maintain object checklist in TMS (The Museum System) and object files

• Assist with applications for immunity from seizure and indemnity by conducting provenance research and compiling/drafting other materials

• Work closely with exhibition curator and Publications and Editorial Department on the organization of the exhibition catalogue, including the editing of texts, preparing captions and bibliographies, and corresponding with external authors

• Coordinate with registrars/departmental collections team to obtain and track loan requirements and other lender information in TMS

• Facilitate exchange of information with internal and external collaborators

• Organize and/or attend meetings with other Met departments, including Design, Education, Registrar, External Affairs, and Development, and coordinate agendas and follow-up/next steps

• 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 the invitation lists for opening events

• Give tours and gallery talks during the run of the exhibition as needed

• Assist with gallery installation/deinstallation and work with couriers

• Other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in art history or related field required, MA in art history or related field preferred.     

• Excellent research, communication, and organizational skills, ability to multitask and to work independently and collaboratively

• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office/Teams; experience with TMS (The Museum System) database preferred

• Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to take initiative

• Previous experience in a museum setting, particularly as an assistant for an exhibition, preferred

• Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of seventeenth-century Dutch art preferred

• Reading knowledge of Dutch, German, or Latin preferred

COMPENSATION RANGE:

• Pay Range: $33.00 - $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.

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 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.