Anthropology Collections Intern, Spring 2027

Position Summary

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world’s preeminent scientific and cultural institutions, and has as its mission to discover, interpret, and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education, and exhibition. As part of the Anthropology Internship Program, the Division of Anthropology is seeking a part-time, term Anthropology Collections Intern for Spring 2027. The Internship Program is for undergraduate and graduate students interested in careers in anthropology, museums, or related fields. Anthropology Interns work on projects relating to the collections or the ongoing research interests of the curatorial staff in the Museum or in the field. The Intern can expect to work between 10-20 hours per week. The Anthropology Collections Intern will work with Anthropology Collections staff to improve documentation and curation of collection items, including historically uncurated collections, newly accessioned collections, and items currently on display in cultural halls at the Museum. The last day applications will be accepted is November 15th. Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Support collection cataloguing and database management. This may include making spreadsheets, taking reference photos, inputting data, updating data, and noting items for follow-up.
• Perform research, including research utilizing collections database(s), archival material, library resources, and/or digital collections.
• Participate in collections orientations. This includes collections management tours, archives overviews, library resources, conservation (object handling sessions), and other task-based overviews as needed.

The expected salary for the Anthropology Collections Intern is $20/hour. This position is overtime-eligible. Pay will be determined based on several factors. The hiring range for the position at commencement is based on the type of work and the scope of responsibilities. The salary and placement offered is based on a number of individualized factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, credentials, areas of specialization, and depth and scope of experience.

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in, or a graduate of, an undergraduate- or graduate-level program focused in anthropology, museum studies, archival studies, or another related field.
• Familiar with Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of database program(s).
• Experience working in a museum.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for prolonged periods.
• Must be able to occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.
• Must be able to move about the Museum campus.
• Positioning/change of positioning: Must be able to frequently position oneself/body to accomplish job duties.
• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling.
• Climbing: Ascending or descending physical structures.
• Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and up to 20 pounds of force frequently. May include any of the following:
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force to thrust forward, downward, or outward.
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to drag, haul, or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position.