Research Specialist

Job Summary

The Director’s Office at the Getty Research Institute (GRI) is seeking a limited term Research Specialist through June 2026.

This position assists with and contributes to the GRI’s ongoing research and scholarly initiatives related to the Pre-Hispanic Art Provenance Initiative (PHAPI), a multi-departmental and multi-disciplinary project that addresses current issues regarding the provenance of pre-Hispanic art through the first large-scale assessment of its sale and collection through the art market.

At its core, PHAPI reviews and evaluates the extensive records of the Los Angeles-based Stendahl Art Galleries, one of the most prolific dealers of pre-Hispanic art of the twentieth century.

In 2026, pre-Hispanic art provenance will be the subject of an exhibition of the Research Institute.

The Research Specialist will join the PHAPI team to achieve large-scale data-driven goals. The position requires management skills and the ability to work in partnership to oversee cross-institutional partnerships and data literacy skills to evaluate and research provenance datasets.

The ideal candidate will apply expert knowledge of procedures and protocols to manage and interpret data sets and develop innovative approaches.

As a key member of the PHAPI team, the Research Specialist works closely with project managers to strategize outcomes and explore different avenues for dissemination.

Applications received by June 1 will be given priority consideration.

Major Job Responsibilities

• Partners with PHAPI team and outside departments on digital outcomes of the initiative to achieve large-scale data-driven goals.
• Manages and interprets data sets and conceptualizes data-driven research questions.
• Works with GRI collections data to produce, evaluate, visualize, and research provenance datasets and integrate them into research data systems.
• Contributes public-facing content, such as research findings and data analysis that may form part of a published article or exhibition and possible contributions to Getty Vocabularies.
• Works with project managers to develop and execute dissemination plans.
• Conducts research in GRI’s Special Collections with archival documents and other materials.
• Transcribes archival material and generates relevant metadata.
• Fosters communication and relationships across other departments and programs of the Getty.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree or higher in Library and Information Sciences, Digital Humanities, Art History, Archaeology, or other related fields.
• 1-3 years experience creating, managing, processing, evaluating, and interpreting large data sets.
• Professional experience in a cultural institution, including library, archival, and museum settings.
• Experience applying advanced research techniques and methodologies in scholarship.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent ability to organize, process, analyze, visualize, and present data; working knowledge of CSV, Open Refine, and Python or Tableau.
• Ability to produce and manage project-related metadata.
• Working knowledge of linked data and the semantic web.
• Familiarity with the complexities of provenance research and museum collections.
• Ability to partner with teams across disciplines, as well as work under little to no supervision.
• Advanced research, writing, and editorial skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Engagement with communities of practice and international standards in regard to interoperability, authority control, and open scholarship.
• Awareness of the evolving potential for machine learning applications in research data processing and analysis.
• Desirable supplementary skills include Spanish language proficiency and knowledge of Latin American art and history.

Benefits and Perks

Here are just some examples that Getty offers / provides for full-time employees :

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance coverage, starting on date of hire. Getty pays 75%-95% of the premium, depending on the plan selected.
• 403(b) Employee Investment retirement plan with up to 5% Getty Match
• Getty contribution of 6%, on behalf of employee, to 401(a) retirement account
• Educational Assistance and professional development
• Paid Vacation, Sick and Personal Days
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Many positions have bi-weekly Off-Fridays
• On-Site Fitness Center at Getty Center
• Community service opportunities
30+ days ago