Temporary – Associate Historian

Jersey Digs; Piscataway Township (NJ); On-site; USD 51,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

IEEE is seeking an Associate Historian to join the History and Heritage team at the Operations Center in Piscataway, NJ. The role is full-time and temporary through December 31, 2027, reporting to the Director of Heritage Programs.

The associate will research, develop historical content, and support outreach to IEEE audiences and the broader historical community. Responsibilities include advancing programs, cultivating relationships, coordinating with staff and volunteers, and delivering

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
• Master's or advanced degree in history, education, public history/museology, archival science, or related field required.
• Ph.D. history or related field preferred.
• 2-4 years postgraduate experience in a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Independently researching and developing historical content for special projects.
• Assist in outreach to public and IEEE audiences and advance History & Heritage programs.

Skills

History research

Public outreach

Project management

Museum curation

K-12 education

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Ph.D. preferred

Tools

MS Office

Google Suite

Job description

Job Summary

The Associate Historian is part of IEEE’s professional History and Heritage team, whose mission is to preserve and make known the history of IEEE, its members, their industries and professions, and related technologies. The position reports to the Director of Heritage Programs. The postholder will research and develop historical content within special projects as assigned or to fulfil approved engagements. They will assist History & Heritage and CEE staff in outreach to public and IEEE audiences. In addition to these core responsibilities, the Associate Historian advances IEEE History and Heritage programs by cultivating relationships within IEEE and among the broader historical community, supporting leadership in these efforts.

This is a full time, temporary position through December 31, 2027. The role will be based at the IEEE Operations Center in Piscataway, NJ.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently researching and developing historical content, on special projects as assigned, in order to: facilitate the outreach efforts of IEEE as assigned by management; fulfil service requests from IEEE staff and volunteers; enhance IEEE REACH, the IEEE Global Museum, the Engineering and Technology History Wiki, or other IEEE History and Heritage programs; enable and advance the creation of activations commissioned, or the organization of events & experiences, by the CEE Content Transformation team or other CEE teams; engage academic, professional, public or IEEE audiences through published research or popular articles, or by giving presentations or lectures at conferences and events as authorized and encouraged by management.
• Advancing IEEE History and Heritage by: assisting in publicizing programs and special projects in the Associate Historian’s remit through reports or articles for the IEEE History newsletter and other channels; cultivating relationships with the broader historical community, including academic historians, public historians, avocational historians and collectors; maintaining stakeholder relationships among staff, volunteers, IEEE members, vendors, and with the IEEE History Committee.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience related field required
• Master’s or other advanced degree history, education, public history/museology, archival science, or related field required
• Ph.D. history, education, public history/museology, archival science, or related field preferred

Work Experience

• 2-4 years postgraduate experience in a related field preferred

Skills and Requirements

• Expertise in the history of technology, history of science, public history or closely related fields; specific knowledge/training experience in museum curation and exhibits (helpful); specific knowledge/training/experience in K-12 education (helpful); Understanding of not-for-profit organizations and working with volunteers (helpful).
• Project Management and Organization: self-motivation and discipline; strong organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Communication and Presentation Skills: excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to present engagingly in front of small- to medium-sized audiences; ability to translate complex historical and technical content into accessible content for multiple audiences.
• Technological Proficiency: ability to recognize the potential of new information technologies for reference, research, education and public outreach, in order to enhance outcomes or improve capacity; proficiency in core Microsoft Office and Google Suite products such as databases and spreadsheets; proficiency in communications and media software (helpful).
• Team Culture and Travel: ability to fit into a collegial, optimistic team environment aligned with the core values of IEEE; be an effective, nimble partner and teammate with a customer-centered mentality; sensitivity to domestic and international cultural protocols; ability to travel domestically as well as weekends and/or evenings several times per year; international travel may occasionally be required.

Other Requirements

As defined in IEEE Policies, individuals currently serving on an IEEE board or committee are not eligible to apply.

For information on work demands and conditions required for this position, please consult the reference document, ADA Requirements. This position is classified under Category I – Office Positions.

Position Details

• Schedule: Full-time
• Job Type: Temporary

Compensation

Min: $45.00 Max: $45.00