Research Fellow, Missouri Remembers Project

American Association for State and Local History; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 47,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Missouri invites applications for a 12-month Research Fellow position as part of the Missouri Remembers Project. The fellow will conduct original research, write accessible biographies and histories, and organize research data and digital assets for public audiences, scholars, educators, and students.

Responsibilities include coordinating image permissions, applying the project's style guide, and collaborating with Library & Archives staff and museum colleagues

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least three years of relevant research, writing, archival, digital humanities, or museum experience.
• Ability to conduct careful research, evaluate sources, and translate complex information into clear writing.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Commitment to accountability, service, integrity, inclusion, and respect.

Responsibilities

• Research Missouri artists, cultural institutions, schools, and exhibitions using archival collections and other sources.
• Write and revise accurate, engaging artist biographies and contextual histories for general and scholarly audiences.
• Apply the project's style guide and incorporate feedback through a collaborative editorial process.
• Enter and maintain research, metadata, citations, and digital assets in Airtable and related systems.
• Identify appropriate images, document permissions, and coordinate image-rights requests and records.
• Collaborate with Library & Archives staff and the technical team to test and document improvements to portal content, usability, and functionality.
• Build productive relationships with collection stewards, scholars, and community partners across Missouri.
• Share project research through presentations, articles, conferences, or educational resources.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Collaboration skills

Clear writing

Education

Master's degree in art history, American studies, history, library and information science, digital humanities

Job description

Research Fellow, Missouri Remembers Project

Full Time Temporary - 35 hours per week, onsite

Fellowship Period & Funding:

One-year fellowship, starting in early May 2027. The fellow will receive an annual salary of $55,000, benefits, and research and professional development funds.

Application Timeline:

Deadline for submissions is December 18, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CST

The application must include:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter that addresses how your experience aligns with the responsibilities of this Research Fellowship
• Published writing sample
• Transcripts for PhD, or master's degree and explanation of experience equivalent to PhD
• Three References, including their names, titles, and email addresses

Help Bring Missouri's Art History to Life

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is seeking a curious, rigorous, and collaborative researcher to help expand Missouri Remembers, a digital portal dedicated to the artists, institutions, schools, and exhibitions that have shaped the state's visual culture.

In this 12-month fellowship, you will conduct original research, write accessible and engaging scholarly content, organize research data and digital assets, coordinate image permissions, and work with Museum colleagues and partners across Missouri. Your work will make meaningful stories and resources available to general audiences, scholars, educators, and students.

What You'll Do

Research Missouri artists, cultural institutions, schools, and exhibitions using archival collections, artist files, scholarly resources, and community-based sources.

Write and revise accurate, engaging artist biographies and contextual histories for general, scholarly, and K-12 audiences.

Apply the project's style guide and incorporate feedback through a collaborative editorial process.

Enter and maintain research, metadata, citations, and digital assets in Airtable and related systems, ensuring records are complete, consistent, and properly sourced.

Identify appropriate images, document permissions, and coordinate image-rights requests and records in accordance with Museum procedures.

Partner with Library & Archives staff and the technical developer to test and document improvements to portal content, usability, and functionality.

Build productive relationships with collection stewards, artist families, scholars, advisory members, and community partners throughout Missouri.

Share project research through presentations, articles, conferences, public programs, or educational resources, as assigned.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in art history, American studies, history, library and information science, digital humanities, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• At least three years of relevant research, writing, archival, digital humanities, or museum experience. Relevant graduate-level research may be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct careful research, evaluate sources, and translate complex information into clear, engaging writing.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Commitment to accountability, service, integrity, inclusion, and respect.

Preferred Qualifications

• A PhD completed within the past five years in art history, American studies, history, or a closely related field.
• Experience researching American art, Missouri history, or historically underrepresented artists and communities.
• Experience with relational databases, metadata standards, digital publishing, archival research, or image-rights management.