Graduate Assistant

Position OverviewConservation Services at KU Libraries is responsible for the care and preservation of KU Libraries' multifaceted collections, from books and manuscripts to audiovisual materials. The department is located in the Kenneth Spencer Research Library and serves all of KU Libraries. Conservation Services staff develop a list of priority projects with Spencer Library curators and others. Many of those projects fall outside the daily workflow and require staff and special projects to complete. We seek a dedicated, half-time graduate assistant (GA) to make headway on one of those projects.

The current project is with the University Archives (UA) artifacts collection. University Archives holds hundreds of three-dimensional artifacts that have been housed without a systematic arrangement, in many sizes of boxes and orientations. The GA will complete a collections inventory and condition survey of the collection. In addition, the GA will standardize housing for these items, for ease of storage and retrieval.

The UA artifact project will involve independent decision-making, background research, and working directly with curators. The graduate assistant will also write reports, blog posts, and other public-facing documents about the project.

This position will be for .5 FTE (20 hours/week). Graduate students in these positions will receive 9 hours of tuition sponsorship each Fall/Spring and will qualify for the GTA/GRA/GA student health insurance Job Description60% - Artifact housing development and execution

• Attend meetings with curators, librarians, and conservators to understand staff and user needs and brainstorm solutions
• Research best practices in museum object storage, keeping in mind standardization, preservation, and available resources
• Develop an integrated storage solution for thousands of artifacts

35% - Collections inventory

• Research the collection's history, including past and anticipated future uses
• Research best practices in archives/museum survey methodology
• Develop and execute a collection inventory and condition survey for thousands of objects

5% - Public engagement

• Write entries for the Spencer Library blog and other social media outlets
• Write formal status reports as the project progresses
• Engage in other outreach opportunities as possible, such as public presentations

Required QualificationsMust be properly enrolled as a graduate student in good academic standing at the University of Kansas.

Previous experience with historic or archival research or working or volunteering in a library, archives, or museum, as evidenced by application materials.

Effectively strong organizational and time management skills as evidenced by application materials.

Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment as evidenced by application materials.

Preferred QualificationsEnrolled in museum studies, art history, or related graduate field.

Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) as shown in application materials.

Position RequirementsDuring the semester term of the appointment, the student hourly must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours. For summer periods the student hourly must: (1) have been enrolled in no less than 6 hours in the past spring semester or (2) be pre-enrolled in the upcoming fall semester in no less than 6 hours or (3) be enrolled in summer session or (4) be admitted to study in the upcoming fall semester. Student Hourlies may be undergraduate or graduate students. (Exceptions granted for GRA/GTA/GA appointments DO NOT apply to Student Hourly appointments).Employment Conditions(1) Student employees are not eligible for remote work arrangements unless an exception is approved by the unit leadership and HR.

(2) This is an hourly/non-exempt position. A student employee cannot hold an hourly/non-exempt position and a salaried/exempt graduate or undergraduate position (GRA/GTA/GA/RUA/RGA) concurrently.Additional Candidate InstructionsCover letter addressing how required and preferred qualifications are met. Please also address how this position will further your career goals.

Current resume

Contact information for one professional reference.

To ensure consideration apply before the application review date 5/14/2025. A review of applications will continue until qualified candidates are identified.Contact Information to ApplicantsWhitney Baker Advertised Salary Range$18.50/hrAnticipated Start DateMonday August 18, 2025 Apply to Job