The Woodlands, a non-profit National Historic Landmark and interpretive center in Philadelphia, seeks a part time research assistant to do archival research, document collection and transcription for a Pew Discovery grant “Not Your Typical Eighteenth-Century Gentleman.” The grant seeks to research the lives and social networks of the Woodlands’ eighteenth-century occupants: principally the lifelong “bachelor,” gentleman collector/natural scientist William Hamilton, and his house-hold staff at The Woodlands, including George Hilton, an African-American indentured servant turned free laborer, and his family.

The Pew Discovery Grant is designed to do a thorough archival excavation of the principal household members, and will require both research ingenuity and precise documentation. The research assistant will work under the direction of the lead historian, working in the relevant archival collections primarily located in Philadelphia. Position duration is four to six months, working approximately 400-600 total hours, at an hourly pay rate of $16 per hour. Work to begin in November, flexible hours.

Requirements:

  • Advanced academic training in history (M.A. or Ph.D. ABD preferred)
  • Ability to work independently
  • Archival research experience (experience in social history methods preferred and in Philadelphia’s history and/or eighteenth-century colonial/revolutionary history helpful.)

To express interest, send a brief letter of interest and current CV to jobs@woodlandsphila.org. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt.