Description

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Obed Macy Research Chair strengthens the historical accuracy and integrity of the NHA’s exhibitions, publications, and programs. 

The research chair undertakes original historical research to support the association’s interpretive goals; writes articles, chapters, white papers, exhibition copy, tour scripts, and other interpretive materials; and presents research through lectures, talks, and public programs. The role is a content editor and central contributor to Historic Nantucket, the NHA’s magazine. He/she oversees and contributes to the NHA’s oral-history collecting program and participates in the interpretation and preservation of the NHA’s historic sites through the development of historic structures reports and furnishing plans. 

The research chair is a public historian with the ability to write clearly, accurately, and accessibly for a variety of audiences. He/she will have a focus on practical and useful end products and an awareness of the transformative difference sound research makes in museum interpretation and storytelling. The research chair should be comfortable with archival research and material culture studies.

The research chair reports to the chief curator. The position is full-time and exempt from overtime. The position can be remote.

Duties

• Undertakes original research on topics related to Nantucket history.
• With the chief curator, identifies research objectives for the NHA and conducts ongoing research according to an adopted plan.
• Engages and oversees the activities of  research associates, interns, graduate students, and independent scholars in service of the NHA’s research needs.
• Contributes to the development and delivery of exhibitions, publications, and programs.
• Works closely with colleagues to ensure the historical accuracy of materials developed by the various NHA departments.
• Participates in the development of historic structures reports, cultural landscape reports, and furnishing plans for the NHA’s historic sites.
• Oversees and edits the historical content in the association’s member publication Historic Nantucket. This includes vetting and editing submitted articles, writing new articles, identifying images, writing captions, and proofreading. 
• Oversees the NHA’s publications program for new or reprinted books.
• Organizes occasional seminars/symposia that serve the NHA’s mission.
• Develops, leads, and contributes to the NHA oral history program.
• Speaks about island history at NHA sites and programs, at professional conferences and symposia, and before the media.

Requirements

• MA or PhD in history, American Studies, Public History, Archeology, Anthropology, or other relevant field, or equivalent job experience. 
• Exceptional research, writing, and communication skills 
• Experience in museums, historic sites, or public history
• Familiarity with material culture studies
• Editorial experience, including knowledge and ability to edit, copyedit, and proofread
• Public presentation skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with a dynamic and creative team
• Healthy historical skepticism