Job Summary:

The Education Research Assistant will serve as the lead researcher for a three-part curriculum guide for K-12 teachers on the Dutch and British colonial periods, with an emphasis on the lasting impact of the Dutch on New York and American history. This project is led by the New-York Historical Society’s (N-YHS) Education Department, thanks to the generosity of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The Research Assistant will conduct research on Colonial New York in the N-YHS collections, including the museum collection and the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library. In the initial phase of work, he/she will develop an extensive list of N-YHS’s holdings in relation to this theme, including new acquisitions and un-catalogued materials. In the second phase, he/she will partner with the Associate Director for Continuing Education to curate this initial list and conduct further research, looking for themes, topics, and individuals that may help students and teachers better understand the daily lives of colonials in the region. Throughout the project, the researcher will work closely with librarians and curatorial staff to gather information about relevant sources and identify, as-needed, partner institutions where additional secondary research may be conducted.
The Education Research Assistant is a part-time, temporary position. Candidates must be available 20 hours per week for 16 weeks (approximately April-August). The schedule is flexible and may vary week-to-week, but this work must be conducted during the library’s open hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10:00am-4:45pm.
Major Responsibilities

• Responsibilities for this position include but may not be limited to:
• Conduct research in N-YHS library and museum collections to identify all primary source holdings related to the theme of Colonial New York
• Identify primary sources to be included in the curriculum and develop a list of possible themes, topics, and individuals to be highlighted
• Conduct additional archival research and write brief descriptions on those sources selected to appear in the guide
• Liaise with education, library, and museum staff as-needed

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Graduate student in Colonial New York history, with an emphasis on the Dutch Colonial era and New Netherlands a plus
• Strong background in Colonial American history
• Extensive experience conducting archival research, with experience conducting research in museum collections a plus
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong computer skills including Excel, Word, Google Docs, and Dropbox

Compensation

• $25 per hour (~20 hours per week for 16 weeks)

For consideration please send cover letter and resume to hr1@nyhistory.org. In the subject line please reference the job title.