Research Specialist

Truth & Repair: The History of Structural Racism in New Jersey is a research study supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that brings together a diverse group of scholars, students, and cultural experts to document the historical impacts of structural racism on the health and wellbeing of African American, Latine, and Indigenous communities in New Jersey.

We seek a research scholar who will work with a statewide steering committee of scholars and community-based experts, graduate and undergraduate student research assistants, and community historians to launch the implementation phase of the Truth & Repair study. The research scholar will be primarily responsible for coordinating quantitative and qualitative research projects across a network of research hubs located at universities and cultural institutions in New Jersey. Research areas will include the legacy of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Johnson & Johnson in New Jersey and the history of hospital closures and community health activism. This individual will also help develop research capacity at institutions and organizations that preserve and produce historical records and/or create historically-informed recommendations for redressing the impacts of structural racism on community health. Initiatives include making oral history collections publicly available and assisting archives with related projects.  

The ideal candidate will have earned an advanced degree in history, public humanities, library and information sciences, sociology, public health and health policy, or a related field. Applicants must apply online and submit 1) a cover letter, and 2) a vita or resume..

This is a part-time (50% duty time) 1-year term position. The position is subject to the University's background check policy.

• Coordinate community-engaged historical research across a network of research hubs located at Princeton University and the Stoutsburg Sourland African American History Museum, Rutgers-New Brunswick, Rutgers-Camden, and Saint Peter’s University. This will primarily consist of overseeing research on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Johnson & Johnson in New Jersey. Tasks will include supervising student RAs placed at partner institutions, and editing and compiling written works based on the research. Utilizing surveys of the RWFJ archives and supplemental database and archival research, the research scholar will help author and edit an internal report detailing the most substantive research topics with an assessment of the Foundation’s actions and list of secondary topics for research in later years in preparation for RWJF’s Juneteenth 2025 public event. Duties may include supervising additional projects, including research on the history of hospital and community health activism in the state
• Assist with the selection of historical case studies and undertake related historical research. Consult with archivists and librarians. Meet with current community partners and engage in outreach with potential partner organizations such as libraries and grassroots historical organizations.  Attend community events.
• Develop databases and bibliographies on relevant scholarship and projects, archival collections, oral history initiatives, and community-engaged historical work related to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and other Truth & Repair research topics. Manage digital repositories of archival materials collected by research assistants.

• Assist the Project Manager with coordinating the annual Truth & Repair End-of-Summer Conference in late August. Responsibilities will include outreach to local current and potential community partners and reviewing student presentations. Develop content for a Truth & Repair website to launch in conjunction with the RWJF’s Juneteenth 2025 public event.

The successful candidate will have advanced skills in historical research, including archives, databases, and oral history, as well as excellent writing abilities.

• Strong organizational, administrative, and communication skills are required.
• Ability to work easily with community organizations alongside academic historians.
• Knowledge of US History at the Master's or PhD level is essential.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A demonstrated interest in public humanities and community-engaged scholarship is a plus.
• Experience with project management is also a plus.
• Familiarity with mapping programs is helpful, but not essential. 

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.

If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.