Research Associate, Chinese Art [Part-Time]

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 a Research Associate for Chinese Art you will provide research and administrative support for the planned reinstallation of the arts of early China for our new entry galleries.  Under the guidance of the Curator of Chinese Art and the Department Chair, you will assist with collection research, exhibition planning, and the preparation of labels and didactic materials.

This is a position with an established end-date or time frame. Time frames will begin upon hire: 14 months.  

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

• Under the Curator’s direction, work on an installation plan for the permanent collection of Chinese artworks dating from the Neolithic era through the Tang dynasty.

• Draft texts for individual object labels as well as for longer discursive texts and wall panels.

• Assist in sourcing comparative images, diagrams, maps, and digital assets and organizing them for exhibition and possible publication.

• Develop and update research files on works in The Met's permanent collection.

• Act as a liaison with collections management to ensure up to date information in the Museum database.

• Coordinate with colleagues cross-departmentally in the coordination of exhibition planning, timelines and recordkeeping.

• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in art history required, PhD in Chinese art history, preferred

• Working knowledge and expertise across the field of Chinese art history

• Demonstrated ability in the field of history and art history research

• Previous art museum experience preferred

COMPENSATION RANGE:

• Pay Range: $39.00 - $40.00 / 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.

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 he