Alsdorf Senior Research Associate

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities, centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context, demanding continual, dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive, inclusive understanding of human creativity.

Please click on the links below to view our competitive, comprehensive benefits package: 

• Hiring Range: $55,000- $70,000
• Benefits 
• PTO Overview 
• Job Classification: Full Time Salaried Fellow
• Grade Level: 7

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

Formally established in 1921, the department of Arts of Asia holds one of the largest Asian art collections in North America, consisting of nearly 30,000 objects that span five millennia and represent all artistic traditions of the entire continent. Distinguished artworks include Hindu and Buddhist sculpture; Chinese jades, bronzes, ceramics, and paintings; Japanese screens and woodblock prints— one of the finest assemblages in the world; Korean celadon; and Indian and Persian miniature paintings. The department employs five full time curators, a collection manager, a curatorial assistant, a specialist, a technician, and an administrative coordinator, as well as fellows and interns.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Indian, Southeast Asian, and Himalayan collections within the Arts of Asia department are internationally recognized for their scope, beauty, and quality. This includes the distinguished James W. and Marilynn B. Alsdorf collection, which lives at the heart of the museum in galleries designed by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop in 2008. The stone and metal sculptures from India are a unique and distinctive part of this collection, presenting a rich opportunity for new research, interpretation, and display.

The Alsdorf Senior Research Associate, a 2 year funded position, will build on a series of collection-based curatorial projects currently underway in the department of Arts of Asia focused on research and publication of the permanent collection. We are seeking an experienced scholar to research the collection in-depth and assist with creating interpretive materials under the guidance of the Chair of Arts of Asia and the Alsdorf Associate Curator of Indian, Southeast Asian, and Himalayan Art. The Alsdorf Senior Research Associate will cultivate research resources and maintain a portfolio of ongoing projects in their primary area of focus, lending their unique skills and building their expertise to support the museum’s approach to the interpretation and documentation of the permanent collection.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review the collection and set research priorities in consultation with the Alsdorf Associate Curator of Indian, Southeast Asian, and Himalayan Art.
• Conducts curatorial research and cataloging by investigating, writing, editing, and updating provenance, publication, and exhibition histories for a select group of objects. Helps maintain departmental archives, research, and object files related to this area. Publishes this research within the museum database and online.
• Conducts primary and secondary research to propose new narratives and curatorial directions for the collection in gallery rotations and accompanying interpretation.
• Assist the Arts of Asia department with exhibits, labels, and interpretation to make people aware of the depth and extent of the collections, both among internal audiences as well as the general public at large.
• Disseminating knowledge about the collection through research and publishing in academic and non-academic mediums.
• Domestic and international travel for research is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer; must be able to remain in a stationary position 90% of the time.
• Occasionally moves about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine and printer.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, ability to adjust focus, and the ability to sustain prolonged visual concentration.

QUALIFICATIONS 

Please be sure to submit a writing sample, a piece previously written and published or a simple sample on a related topic with your resume and application.

• A PhD in Indian art history or a closely related field completed by position start date required; a strong research focus on the art and archeology of Southern India is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in reading Sanskrit is required. Proficiency with other classical Indian languages is such as Tamil would be desirable. Fluency in academic French and/or German would be an added benefit.
• Prior experience doing academic and/or curatorial research in a museum or academic setting required. Minimum 3-5 years in this capacity preferred.
• Demonstrated scholarship within their field of study through publications, lectures, and other professional engagement required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google suites required; ability to learn museum-specific collection database systems
• The successful candidate should:
  • be highly detail-oriented and organized;
  • demonstrate initiative and ability to work independently;
  • embrace the museum's commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable institution;
  • have a collaborative approach to working with colleagues;
  • and have strong research, writing, communication, multitasking, project management, and organizational skills.

CLOSING STATEMENT

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.

UNION INFO

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31.

Salary : $55,000 - $70,000