Research Associate, Japanese Art [End-Dated]

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Inclusivity: Ensure that all are and feel welcome and valued.

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As the Research Associate, Japanese Art you will provide research, administrative support, and translations for the upcoming exhibition Women, Art, and Power in Japan scheduled to open summer 2027 and assist with a future special exhibition World of Lacquer . Under the guidance of the Curator for Japanese Decorative Art, you will assist with preparing checklists; collection research, including collecting reference material in both English and Japanese; organizing images; assisting with relevant correspondence; and assisting with the preparation of loan paperwork and other exhibition-related documents. Tasks also include preparatory work for labels and catalogue entries.

This is a position with an established end-date or time frame. Time frames will begin upon hire: 1 Year.

• Under the Curators direction, assist with all aspects in the preparation of the upcoming exhibitions.

• Conduct in-depth research dossiers on objects in exhibitions under preparation and planned, including the compiling of artists biographies, bibliographies, and publication histories.

• Assist with the preparation of object files, reference material, and images.

• Assemble research material, both in English and Japanese, and organize them thematically.

• Assist with the creation of checklists and object descriptions.

• Assist in sourcing comparative images and organizing object photographs for exhibitions and publications.

• Assist with drafting text for exhibition labels, publications, and online resources.

• Provide preliminary translations of Japanese reference material.

• Support the preparation of loan-related documentation and paperwork.

• Assist with correspondence with lenders and collaborating colleagues.

• Collect and collate curatorial notes on objects in the Japanese art collection, including recording comments from visiting scholars during viewing sessions.

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

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

• Other duties as assigned.

• Masters degree in Japanese art history required

• At least three years of museum & research experience, preferred

• Fluency or near-native fluency in English and modern Japanese with ability to translate texts from Japanese to English, and vice versa

• Ability to read cursive Japanese script

• Expert knowledge of Japanese Art history, and some expertise with Japanese decorative arts

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

• Expertise with exhibition project management and assistance with exhibition-related administrative tasks

• Working knowledge and expertise in the field of Japanese art and culture, strongly preferred

• Pay Range: $72,000.00 - $74,000.00 / Annually

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 candidates 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 health care expenses)
• Commuter benefits (pre-tax income for parking or mass transit expenses)
• Free financial-planning services
• Financial assistance for relevant coursework, seminars, and training programs
• 25% discount for staff in Museum shops
• A subsidized staff cafeteria
• Access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions

We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the desired attributes for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.

The Met is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, The Met will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed in this process, please contact benefits@metmuseum.org .

The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.