Curatorial Assistant, The Morgan Illuminated (Full-time, fixed-term: January 2027–December 2029)

The Morgan Library & Museum•New York, NY

29d•Onsite

About The Position

The Morgan Library & Museum seeks a Curatorial Assistant for The Morgan Illuminated, a three-year project to digitize and share a significant portion of its collection of illuminated manuscripts through a new online portal and related programming. Working closely with the department head, the Curatorial Assistant will undertake research, cataloguing, and the preparation of descriptive content to support manuscript digitization and make the collection accessible to scholarly and public audiences.

Requirements

B.A. in a relevant field required.
Experience working in a museum, special collections library, or digital humanities project.
Experience handling rare materials, including using supports such as snakes and cradles.
Excellent research skills and intellectual rigor.
Strong written communication skills, including an aptitude for writing catalog entries and image descriptions.
Excellent oral communication skills and experience in public speaking, with the ability to communicate scholarly research to a variety of audiences, including the general public.
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage competing deadlines, work collaboratively, and contribute to a collegial environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Gmail, and Google Drive, and the ability to learn and use the Morgan’s collections and information systems.
Ability to work at a computer for extended periods; lift and carry manuscripts, moderately heavy boxes, and other materials; and safely handle and move collection objects.
Ability to undertake local travel as needed.
Must have authorization to work in the United States that does not require employer sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

M.A. or Ph.D. coursework in art history or medieval studies strongly preferred.
Equivalent knowledge or experience will be considered.
Direct experience with medieval manuscripts is preferred.
Familiarity with The Museum System (TMS) and/or integrated library systems is desirable.

Responsibilities

Examine manuscripts alongside existing records to create descriptive outlines of their structures.
Prepare and update image descriptions following standards established by the Index of Medieval Art.
Research and update collection database records to ensure accuracy and consistency.
Assist with the creation of metadata for digitization.
Review descriptive content for accuracy.
Retrieve and return rare materials to collection storage while recording all object movements in the collection database.
Write about selected manuscripts for blog posts and social media.
Respond to inquiries from scholars and the general public.
Contribute to presentations, outreach, and other programs related to The Morgan Illuminated.
Collaborate with colleagues in Conservation, Imaging and Rights, Collection Information, Education and Public Programs, Communications and Marketing, and the Reading Room.
Assist with other tasks related to the digitization process.