Digital Research Associate

Brown University•Providence, RI

12h•Onsite

About The Position

The John Carter Brown Library, located on the campus of Brown University, has one of the world’s most significant collections relating to the history of the early Americas, particularly focused on printed books, maps, and prints, as well as archival material related to the Brown family. The JCB Digital Research Associate will research, write, design, and produce digital publications on topics relevant to the library’s collections and mission. These publications may be targeted at general, scholarly, or student audiences. In the first year, the Digital Research Associate will undertake directed research and produce public-facing and scholarly work centered on the Brown Family Business Records and histories of eighteenth-century enslavement, maritime trade, and economic history. In the second year, the associate will work to select research topics in dialog with library leadership to meet collection needs. The Digital Research Associate will have the remit to do independent decision making within the project area. In addition to secondary frameworks, the Digital Research Associate will be responsible for making designated manuscripts from the Brown Family Business Records and other collections intellectually and computationally available to researchers as documentary editions. This position is 100% endowment funded and is for one year with the possibility of annual renewal for up to 2 years, based on satisfactory work performance and dependent upon funding.

Requirements

Masters degree in Library Science or a relevant academic discipline and at least 5 years of related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience conducting independent research, writing, and producing digital content.
Knowledge of the eighteenth century of the Americas, and of issues of freedom, enslavement, maritime history, and/or economic history.
Excellent attention to detail.
Demonstrated knowledge of eighteenth-century English paleography and skill in working with manuscripts.
Experience adhering to archival preservation and delicate material handling protocols.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects.
Strong research skills and the ability to navigate primary and secondary source materials independently.
Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.
Must be able to pivot when priorities shift or when dealing with unexpected challenges.

Nice To Haves

PhD preferred in a relevant field
Experience with digital publishing platforms, such as Scalar or Omeka preferred.

Responsibilities

Research, write, design, and produce digital publications on topics relevant to the library’s collections and mission.
Undertake directed research and produce public-facing and scholarly work centered on the Brown Family Business Records and histories of eighteenth-century enslavement, maritime trade, and economic history.
Select research topics in dialog with library leadership to meet collection needs.
Make designated manuscripts from the Brown Family Business Records and other collections intellectually and computationally available to researchers as documentary editions.