Digitization Assistant, MSU Museum

MSU Olin Health Center; East Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

MSU Museum seeks student employees to assist a grant-funded digitization project. You will develop 3D models of museum collections, photograph objects with a DSLR, follow a data management plan, and help with metadata and educational product development.

Flexible 10–15 hours/week with potential continuation into spring, in a collaborative interdisciplinary team. Experience with photogrammetry (Agisoft Metashape or similar) and software such as Autodesk Maya or Adobe Photoshop is desirable.

Qualifications

• Develop 3D models of Museum collections objects.
• Experience with photogrammetry and 3D modeling software.
• Ability to photograph objects with a DSLR.
• Ability to follow a data management plan.
• Willingness to troubleshoot and work independently.
• Commitment to 10–15 hours per week during fall with potential continuation.

Responsibilities

• Develop 3D models of Museum collections objects.
• Photograph objects with DSLR and organize associated data/metadata.
• Follow data management plan and metadata practices.
• Assist with updating object records and contributing to educational product development.
• Support hosting open lab hours during special Museum events.

Skills

DSLR photography

3D modeling

Photogrammetry

Autodesk Maya

Adobe Photoshop

Troubleshooting

Independent work

Tools

Agisoft Metashape

Job description

and the job listing Expires on September 10, 2026

The MSU Museum is an innovative and experimental collaboratory that exists to catalyze creativity and serves the MSU community by facilitating and creating experiences at the nexus of the arts, sciences, cultures, and technologies (https://museum.msu.edu ). The MSU Museum seeks to hire student employees to work as part of a specialized team for a grant-funded project focused on digitization of MSU Museum collections and the development of related educational products.This position will require an average of 10-15 hours per week throughout the fall semester, with potential to continue hours into the spring, depending on project progress and budget.

The primary job responsibility will be working to develop 3D models of Museum collections objects, which requires the following skills:

• Ability to use DSLR cameras for object photography
• Ability to follow a data management plan
• Knowledge of photogrammetry (we are using Agisoft Metashape, although any similar software experience is also helpful)
• Ability to use Autodesk Maya and/or Adobe Photoshop for object editing
• Willingness to troubleshoot and work independently

While not the primary responsibility, students may also be asked to help with other project tasks such as updating object records with metadata, assisting with educational product development, and hosting open lab hours during special Museum events

While any candidates are welcome to apply, students with previous course work and interest in any of the following focus areas may find this opportunity particularly useful: Anthropology, Archaeology, Digital Humanities, Museum Studies/Arts and Cultural Management. Candidates will be asked to provide work samples demonstrating their ability in the job areas.

This is an excellent skill-building opportunity and will provide experience working in a unique environment with an interdisciplinary team. Each student will receive training and get real-world experience that can transfer to future work. Students will have the opportunity to solve problems as we work to digitize collections and consider how to use digitized objects with technologies such as 3D modeling, AR, and VR in creative ways.

$17.00 per hour

Shift scheduling is flexible within the Museum’s weekday operating hours