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

The Metropolitan Museum of Art
New York City, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 21 Nov 2025
💰 $68,000/yr($66,000/yr$68,000/yr)

About the role

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. 

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.

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Company

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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