Job description
The Heritage Institute for History and Culture is seeking a dedicated Historian to help illuminate the past for broad audiences. This is a full-time position based in Washington, DC, with opportunities to work on national and international projects.
As a Historian, you will conduct rigorous archival and source-based research, analyze materials, and help shape interpretive content for exhibitions, public programs, and digital platforms. You will collaborate with curators, educators, and researchers to produce engaging narratives that reflect accurate scholarship. The ideal candidate combines strong writing, rigorous analysis, and a passion for public history.
We value clear communication, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to translate complex historical data into accessible content for diverse audiences, including students, policymakers, and general visitors.
Responsibility
- Lead archival and primary source research for exhibitions, manuscripts, and institutional collections.
- Develop interpretive materials including wall labels, catalogs, digital content, and educational resources.
- Collaborate with curators, educators, designers, and external scholars to shape exhibition concepts and public programs.
- Prepare scholarly articles, essays, and reports; support grant writing and program reporting as needed.
- Digitize and manage archival metadata; contribute to digital humanities projects and online collections.
- Mentor interns and volunteers; provide training in archival methods and historical research best practices.
- Plan, implement, and evaluate public programs, lectures, and school group activities; assess impact and accessibility.
Qualification
- Master of Arts in History, Museum Studies, or a related field; PhD preferred.
- Minimum 3-5 years of research experience in archives, libraries, or museums.
- Proven track record of scholarly publications or public history writing.
- Strong knowledge of archival practices, source evaluation, and metadata standards (Dublin Core, MARC, etc.).
- Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to translate complex history into accessible content for diverse audiences.
- Proficiency with digital humanities tools, database management, and citation software (Zotero, Omeka, etc.).
- Experience with grant writing, project management, or donor relations is a plus.
- Cultural competency and ability to work with diverse communities and audiences.