Collections Researcher

About the role

Oversee the Collections & Exhibitions Department’s oral history collections projects, including translation, transcription, digitization, cataloguing, and creating digital content working closely with the Museum’s curatorial and collections teams. This is a grant-funded position beginning in January 2027 through August 2029.

Responsibilities

• Watch/listen to first-hand witness testimony to produce comprehensive summaries and catalogue entries for each interview
• Contribute to the overall framing and interpretation of the testimony collection and any digital exhibitions to be produced using the material
• Create relevant keywording and implement keywords for each interview in TMS
• Convert and compress digital files, maintaining strict organization
• Upload digital files to TMS platform as well as any related media
• Coordinate with and oversee work products from translators and transcribers
• With project team members, propose a sequence for completing the project
• Present regularly on project progress to supervisors with legible metrics
• Assist with other and on-going collections-based projects as needed

Requirements

• B.A. in European History or a related field required
• MA in Holocaust History, Digital Humanities, Library Science, Curatorial Studies and/or 3-5 years of relevant experience strongly preferred
• Working knowledge of European and Eastern European Jewish history, Holocaust and World War II history, and historical geography
• Reading and comprehension of Yiddish and Hebrew required; knowledge of German, Polish, Hungarian, and/or French a plus
• Ability to discern spoken English with heavy accents or degraded audio quality
• Knowledge of cataloguing and description methodology
• Strong historical research skills, including the ability to verify and contextualize people, places, events, and terminology referenced in oral histories
• Ability to synthesize complex research findings into clear catalogue descriptions, keywords, metadata, and public-facing interpretive content
• Tech-savvy, strong digital media skills
• TMS experience a plus
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work independently

Pay

Salary: $65,000/year

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package including health coverage, paid time off, and retirement benefits

Schedule

Full-Time, 40 hours a week for the grant term through August 2029

Location

Onsite