Asian Ethnology 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 Asian Ethnology 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 Asian Ethnology Collections Intern will work with curatorial and collections staff on tasks related to compiling and organizing documentation of items currently on display, with additional follow-up research using collections database and/or archival resources. The last day applications will be accepted is November 15th. Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Support collection documentation compiling and organizing. This may include making spreadsheets; taking reference photos; inputting data; compiling, cross-checking, updating, notating, and/or correcting collections information; and noting problems or inconsistencies across sources.
• Perform follow-up research using collections databases and/or archival resources, including Anthropology and/or Library Archives/digital collections) or other related collections-based project tasks.
• Participate in trainings, orientations, and regular meetings with Museum staff to present and discuss research findings, progress, and next directions.

The expected salary for the Asian Ethnology 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, Asian studies, museum studies, archival studies, or another related field.
• Experience that demonstrates relevant research competencies and skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience/interest in museum work.
• Experience/interest in working with collections or conducting object-based research.
• Experience/interest in Asian Ethnology.

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.