Senior 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 to hire Public Humanities Research Specialists to help coordinate quantitative and qualitative
research across a network of research hubs located at universities and cultural institutions in New Jersey.
Research areas will include the impacts of metropolitan and regional redevelopment projects on
community health; the history of nursing, medical institutions, and mental health care in marginalized
communities; community health care activism; access to parks, community recreation centers, and tree
canopy; and industrialists’ civic leadership, philanthropic initiatives, and manufacturing legacies. The
Research Specialists 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, assisting archives with related projects, database and archival research on
historical sites and individuals, and building new oral history collectives. Research Specialists will work
with a statewide steering committee of scholars and community-based experts, graduate and
undergraduate student research assistants, and community historians to accomplish this work.

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 a cover letter and resume.

• Coordinate community-engaged historical research at 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 include
  developing research projects with local community partners, supervising student RAs placed at
  partner institutions, and editing and compiling written works based on the research. The
  Research Specialist will work closely with the Project Manager and Steering Committee to
  direct research.
• Develop databases and bibliographies of relevant scholarship and projects, archival
  collections, oral history initiatives, relevant community-engaged historical work, and courses at
  regional institutions and organizations. Manage repositories of digital scans of archival
  materials collected by research assistants.
• Assist with the selection of historical case studies and undertake related historical research.
  Meet with current community partners and engage in outreach to potential partner
  organizations such as libraries and grassroots historical organizations. Identify community
  members interested in giving oral interviews. Attend community events. Investigate the history
  of relevant philanthropies, universities, institutions, and policies to inform recommendations,
  and identify areas for strengthening relevant public infrastructure in the state.
• Suggest, guide, and produce original scholarship based on research conducted as part of
  Truth & Repair. This can include journal articles, article briefs, and blogposts published on a
  Truth & Repair website. The Research Specialist will receive feedback from a statewide
  advisory committee of historians and public health scholars.
• Assist the Project Manager with coordinating the annual Truth & Repair End-of-Summer
  Conference in late August. Responsibilities include outreach to local current and potential
  community partners and reviewing student presentations.

The successful candidate will need advanced skills in research, including archival work, databases, and oral history as well as excellent writing abilities. 
Strong organizational, administrative, and communication skills are required. The applicant should work easily with community organizations and members alongside academic historians. Knowledge of US History at the Master's or PhD level is essential 

Travel between research hubs and project sites is expected.

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.

Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Spansish - reading and writing - is helpful, but not required.

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.