Secondary Market Researcher

White Cube S.A.S • New York, NY

300d • $60,000 - $70,000

About The Position

White Cube was set up by Jay Jopling in 1993 as a project room for contemporary art. The gallery has since grown into one of the most influential commercial galleries in the world, representing internationally renowned artists such as Georg Baselitz, Tracey Emin, Antony Gormley, Mona Hatoum, Anselm Kiefer, Liu Wei, Park Seo Bo, Doris Salcedo and Jeff Wall. White Cube's exhibition programme extends across locations in London, Hong Kong, Paris, New York, Seoul and online. Since its inception in 1993, the gallery has exhibited the work of many of the world's most highly acclaimed contemporary artists. The Secondary Market Researcher will write texts and conduct object research and due diligence for incoming consignments and acquisitions, contributing to our art fair and exhibition programmes globally. This role will be based in New York and will involve close collaboration with the London research team to maintain White Cube's high standard of research and writing, as well as with the wider sales team across White Cube's global locations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a fine art category, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum two years of experience within a leading gallery, auction house, or art advisory firm.
• Strong interest in Modern and Contemporary Art market is essential.
• Exceptional research and writing skills, including experience working with auction databases (Artnet, Art Sales Index, etc.), catalogues raisonnés, and primary source materials.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills, with the ability to synthesize complex research into clear, compelling texts.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and with confidential information.
• Proactive and creative at problem solving.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively across teams and time zones.
• Proficiency in additional languages is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth provenance, exhibition history, and literature research for secondary market artworks under consideration for acquisition, consignment, or sale.
• Work closely with the London-based research team and external scholars to verify authenticity and contextualize artworks within an artist's broader oeuvre.
• Write accurate, in-depth copy for secondary market artworks that effectively communicates their historical and market significance.
• Liaise with the London-based research team to ensure a consistent approach to writing and research methodology.
• Design and produce sales PDFs in White Cube's house style, ensuring clarity, consistency, and aesthetic impact.
• Produce internal research documents that support the sales team's efforts by providing strategic insights and contextual information.
• Work in close conjunction with the London research team to maintain and expand White Cube's internal databases, ensuring accuracy and accessibility of cataloguing and research materials.
• Collaborate with White Cube's sales, curatorial, and technical teams as part of the research and due diligence process.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive record keeping for all secondary artworks.
• Track major exhibitions and publications relevant to the gallery's secondary market program.
• Maintain and expand the library and wider research resources for the New York gallery and office.
• Assist with auction enquiries, as needed.

Benefits

• Salary range: $60,000-70,000 per annum plus benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Miscellaneous Manufacturing
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree