Assistant Project Manager and Researcher for Public Histories

Critical Playground LLC; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 64,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Rice University's Center for African and African American Studies (CAAAS) seeks an Assistant Project Manager and Researcher for Public Histories Research to lead a new community-engaged initiative, starting Jan 1, 2027, and advance Black Houston archival work. Responsibilities include guiding research teams, managing grants, and cultivating community partnerships across Houston.

The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in African American history, public humanities, and oral history

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in History or related field required.
• Two years postdoctoral experience required.
• Proven track record in grant-funded research operations and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage public history research initiatives.
• Strengthen community partnerships and outreach.
• Oversee grant operations, budgets, and reporting.
• Lead a diverse team and mentor undergraduate students.

Skills

Oral history preservation

Community engagement

Grant management

Proposal writing

Team leadership

Interpersonal skills

Administrative skills

Public history research

Writing for public audiences

Analytical skills

Funding compliance

Education

Ph.D. in History

Two years postdoctoral experience

Job description

Job Description

The Center for African and African American Studies (CAAAS) at Rice University invites applications for the position of Assistant Project Manager and Researcher for Public Histories Research to provide strategic and operational leadership for a new public-facing, community-engaged initiative beginning January 1, 2027. Reporting within CAAAS, this position plays a pivotal role in advancing the Center’s mission to serve Black Houston by archiving and preserving the rich oral histories and historic sites of the local community.

Key responsibilities include supporting existing research and community teams, strengthening community partnerships, managing grant operations and budgets, writing and analyzing funding proposals, and leading a high-performing team to deliver impactful research outcomes that contribute directly to the university’s academic and community‑engagement objectives.

Special Instructions to Applicants

All interested applicants should upload attachments in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

In addition to the online application, candidates must submit:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• One-page statement of community‑engaged philosophy
• Names and contact information for two references
• A 25‑30 page writing sample focused on public history research and/or expository writing

Application Deadline: November 16, 2026

Target Start Date: January 1, 2027

Ideal Candidate Statement

The ideal candidate is a collaborative scholar‑administrator with deep expertise in African American history, public humanities, and oral history preservation. The candidate possesses strong administrative skills, a proven track record of building and sustaining authentic partnerships with community stakeholders, and experience managing complex, grant‑funded research operations and budgets. Exceptional writing skills for both academic and public audiences, along with a passion for mentoring undergraduate students and amplifying Black Houston's public history, define the ideal applicant for this role.

Workplace Requirements

This position operates in a professional office and university campus environment, with frequent local outreach to community sites, churches, cemeteries, and historical centers throughout the Houston area. Standard business hours apply, with occasional evening and weekend hours required for community‑engagement events.

Workplace Location

This position operates in a professional office and university campus environment, with frequent local outreach to community sites, churches, cemeteries, and historical centers throughout the Houston area. Standard business hours apply, with occasional evening and weekend hours required for community‑engagement events.

Hiring Range

$63,731 - $70,000 annually

This position may also be eligible for discretionary, research, or travel funds. Therefore, actual compensation paid to the selected candidate may vary from the stated salary range.

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

This position is funded by grant, soft, and/or restricted funds. Continued employment is contingent upon the renewal of funding. The initial appointment is expected to run from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027.

Minimum Requirements

• Ph.D. in History, Black Studies, Latin American Studies, Public History, Public Humanities, or a related field
• Two years of postdoctoral experience

Skills

• Proficient and comprehensive knowledge of information management, knowledge management, and publication management
• Possesses a logical and independent mindset
• 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 environment, actively participate, collaborate, 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 writing skills, particularly in expository writing related to public history

Preferences

• 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
• Strong administrative skills and experience conducting community‑engaged work in a university setting
• Experience managing teams, budgets, and complex operations
• Excellent writing skills
• Experience writing for both 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
• Demonstrated track record of building and sustaining long‑term community‑based partnerships

Essential Functions

Program and Partnership Development

• 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

Operational Oversight and Staff Management

• Manage and assist in developing a diverse team of community stakeholders, institutional partners, and faculty collaborators
• Oversee all operational aspects of grant‑funded activities, including budgeting, compliance, and reporting
• Ensure efficient and effective systems, processes, and infrastructure are in place to support program delivery
• Assist in identifying funding opportunities and drafting applications for future grants and funding initiatives

Additional Functions

• Perform other related research and administrative support duties as assigned.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

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Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at [e-mail] for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at [e-mail]. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.