Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Museum Researcher

💰 $55,000 - $85,000

ResearchArts & CultureMuseumsAcademiaCuration

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a highly motivated and intellectually curious Museum Researcher to join our dynamic team. This pivotal role serves as the scholarly backbone of the museum, responsible for conducting in-depth, object-based research that informs our exhibitions, publications, and digital initiatives. The ideal candidate is a meticulous investigator and a compelling storyteller, passionate about uncovering and sharing the rich histories of our collection. You will collaborate closely with curators, educators, and conservators to develop new knowledge and present it in engaging ways to a diverse public audience. This is a unique opportunity to contribute directly to the museum's mission and intellectual life.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Curatorial or Research Assistant
  • Graduate Fellow or Postdoctoral Researcher
  • Archivist or Collections Assistant
  • Academic Researcher or University Lecturer

Advancement To:

  • Senior Museum Researcher or Research Associate
  • Assistant/Associate Curator
  • Head of Research or Director of Academic Programs
  • Collections Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Exhibition Developer or Content Strategist
  • Archivist or Digital Asset Manager
  • Publications Editor or Manager
  • Provenance Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct comprehensive, original, and object-focused research on the museum's collections, utilizing primary and secondary sources, archives, and digital databases.
  • Perform in-depth provenance research to trace the ownership history of artworks and artifacts, ensuring ethical stewardship and documenting findings meticulously.
  • Collaborate with curators on the conceptualization and development of exhibition narratives, providing the foundational research to support thematic direction.
  • Author, co-author, and edit a wide range of scholarly and public-facing texts, including exhibition catalogues, gallery labels, wall texts, digital content, and academic articles.
  • Prepare detailed research dossiers and bibliographies on individual objects, artists, or historical periods to support curatorial, conservation, and educational activities.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for fact-checking and verification of all interpretive content, ensuring the highest level of accuracy across all museum platforms.
  • Identify and secure image rights and reproductions for publications and exhibitions, liaising with other institutions, estates, and rights holders.
  • Develop and deliver engaging presentations, lectures, and gallery talks on research findings to internal staff, docents, scholars, and the general public.
  • Assist in the acquisitions process by conducting thorough research on potential new objects for the collection, including their history, significance, and condition.
  • Maintain and enrich the museum's collections management system (e.g., TMS, Embark) with updated research, bibliographic data, and exhibition histories.
  • Build and maintain strong professional relationships with external scholars, university faculty, artists, and colleagues at other cultural institutions to foster collaborative research.
  • Respond to complex research inquiries about the collection from both the public and academic communities with well-researched, thoughtful answers.

Secondary Functions

  • Support grant-writing and fundraising efforts by providing compelling research narratives and supporting documentation for specific projects and acquisitions.
  • Contribute to the development of the museum's long-term research strategy and participate in discussions regarding the future direction of the collection.
  • Collaborate with the Education and Public Programs departments to develop content for tours, workshops, and symposia that aligns with current research.
  • Assist the Conservation department by providing historical and material research on objects undergoing treatment or technical analysis.
  • Participate in regular project planning meetings and cross-departmental working groups for exhibitions, publications, and digital initiatives.
  • Travel as necessary for off-site research at archives, libraries, and other museum collections to gather essential information for projects.
  • Mentor interns and junior fellows, providing guidance on research methodologies and professional practices within the museum field.
  • Contribute to the museum’s digital strategy by identifying research content suitable for online articles, interactive features, and social media storytelling.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced Research Methodologies: Expertise in primary and secondary source research, including deep experience with archival investigation, libraries, and online academic databases.
  • Foreign Language Proficiency: Fluency or strong reading proficiency in one or more languages relevant to the museum's collection (e.g., French, German, Spanish, Mandarin).
  • Collections Management Software: Demonstrable experience with museum collections databases such as The Museum System (TMS), Embark, or similar platforms.
  • Scholarly Writing & Editing: Exceptional ability to write clearly and engagingly for a variety of audiences, from academic peers to the general public, with strong editing and proofreading skills.
  • Provenance Research: Specialized knowledge of the principles and practices of tracing object ownership history, including familiarity with WWII-era spoliation resources.
  • Digital Literacy: Proficiency with digital research tools, image databases, and Microsoft Office Suite; experience with digital humanities projects is a plus.

Soft Skills

  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: A rigorous and thorough approach to research, fact-checking, and data entry, ensuring unwavering accuracy.
  • Critical & Analytical Thinking: The ability to synthesize complex information from disparate sources into a coherent and compelling argument or narrative.
  • Collaboration & Teamwork: Proven ability to work effectively and respectfully within cross-functional teams, including with curators, editors, designers, and educators.
  • Independent Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the capacity to manage multiple complex research projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and work with autonomy.
  • Communication & Public Speaking: Excellent verbal communication skills for presenting research clearly and confidently to diverse audiences.
  • Intellectual Curiosity: A genuine passion for lifelong learning and a proactive desire to uncover new information and explore new ideas.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • A Master’s degree in a relevant academic field.

Preferred Education:

  • A Ph.D. in a relevant academic field is highly preferred, or equivalent experience demonstrating a high level of specialized research and publication.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Art History
  • Museum Studies
  • History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Curatorial Studies

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-7 years of direct experience in a museum, gallery, university, or related cultural/research institution. This includes postdoctoral fellowships and significant curatorial/research assistant roles.

Preferred:

  • A proven track record of published research, such as contributions to exhibition catalogues, peer-reviewed journals, or scholarly books.
  • Demonstrable experience working directly with objects and contributing to the development of major exhibitions.
Explore More Careers