Assistant Project Manager and Researcher for Public Histories

Rice University • Houston, TX

2d • $63,731 - $70,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Center for African and African American Studies (CAAAS) at Rice University seeks an Assistant Project Manager and Researcher for Public Histories Research to provide strategic and operational leadership for a new public-facing, community-engaged initiative. Reporting within CAAAS, the role advances the Center’s mission to serve Black Houston by preserving and archiving the community’s oral histories and historic sites. The position supports research and community teams, builds community partnerships, manages grant operations and budgets, develops and analyzes funding proposals, and leads a team in delivering research outcomes that support the university’s academic and community-engagement objectives.

The position is hybrid, combining in-office and remote work, and is based in a professional office and university campus environment with frequent local outreach to community sites, churches, cemeteries, and historical centers throughout Houston. Standard business hours apply, with occasional evening and weekend hours required for community-engagement events. The role is grant-funded, with continued employment contingent on funding renewal. The initial appointment is expected to run from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027. The hiring range is $63,731–$70,000 annually; discretionary research or travel funds may also be available, and actual compensation may vary. This is an exempt salaried position and is not eligible for overtime.

Applicants must submit a cover letter, CV, one-page statement of community-engaged philosophy, contact information for two references, and a 25–30-page writing sample focused on public history research and/or expository writing. The application deadline is November 16, 2026, and the target start date is January 1, 2027.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in History, Black Studies, Latin American Studies, Public History, Public Humanities, or a related field.
• Two years of postdoctoral experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of information management, knowledge management, and publication management.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including patience, determination, flexibility, and decisiveness.
• Excellent listening, verbal communication, written communication, analytical, and research skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively in a team, collaborate, participate actively, and motivate others.
• Strong administrative capabilities within a university or nonprofit setting.
• Demonstrated expertise in community-engaged methodologies and public history research.
• Experience overseeing complex operations, project budgets, compliance activities, and staff or team management.
• Excellent expository writing skills related to public history.

Nice To Haves

• Five to seven years of leadership experience in publicly engaged research projects addressing African American communities, oral histories, and historic sites such as churches, cemeteries, and schools.
• Experience conducting community-engaged work in a university setting.
• Experience managing teams, budgets, and complex operations.
• Experience writing for public-facing and academic audiences.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated experience working with, supervising, and/or teaching undergraduate students.
• Research-level spoken and written proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese, or French.
• A demonstrated track record of building and sustaining long-term community-based partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Partner with faculty to integrate outreach activities into research and educational initiatives, including grant proposals.
• Partner with university marketing and communications teams to increase the Center’s visibility and support fundraising outcomes.
• Conduct funding research, proposal writing, and peer-review analysis.
• Manage and assist in developing a diverse team of community stakeholders, institutional partners, and faculty collaborators.
• Oversee grant-funded activities, including budgeting, compliance, and reporting.
• Ensure efficient and effective systems, processes, and infrastructure support program delivery.
• Identify funding opportunities and draft applications for future grants and funding initiatives.
• Support existing research and community teams and strengthen community partnerships.
• Perform other related research and administrative support duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree