University Archives Graduate Research Assistant (GA)

The University of Iowa Libraries’ Special Collections and Archives department invites current or incoming graduate students interested in the archives field to apply for a half-time University Archives Graduate Research Assistantship for 2026-2027, with the possibility for a one-year renewal for 2027-2028. 

Position Description

The student awarded this position will become familiar with many aspects of archival work during their first year by assisting with day-to-day operations in the University Archives. This includes accessioning and processing archival collections, providing reference services to researchers, and supporting outreach and instruction activities, as well as learning about and supporting archival appraisal, collection management, born-digital archives and preservation, and the management and preservation of audiovisual materials.

Typical responsibilities and job tasks may include:

• Arrange and describe University Archives collections in all formats according to archival standards.
• Create standards-compliant finding aids using the collection management software ArchivesSpace.
• Coordinate with Conservation and Collections Care staff and University Archives staff to assess the preservation needs of materials and identify solutions.
• Assist the Collections Archivist in coordinating with colleagues within and outside of the department to effectively manage University Archives materials and support larger departmental goals related to collection management.
• Support day-to-day operations in the unit, including serving at the reference desk in the reading room.
• Provide reference services on a variety of topics related to University Archives materials.
• Participate in University Archives-related outreach activities and provide support for University Archives-related instruction activities.

Pending satisfactory completion of all duties related to the appointment and satisfactory progress toward degree completion, this appointment may be renewed for a second year. In the second year, the University Archives Graduate Research Assistant will build on the experiences they have had in the first year, take on more explicit management roles, and identify project work aligned with their career goals and talents. Some examples of project work include: processing a more extensive archival collection, conducting a condition assessment survey for audiovisual materials, assessing motion picture film holdings for retention, or conducting an inventory and preservation survey of archival digital holdings.

Required Qualifications

• Incoming student who has been accepted into a graduate degree program for the upcoming Fall semester or a student who is currently enrolled in a graduate degree program.
• Expected graduation date of May 2027 or later
• Demonstrated interest in archives, special collections, or a related field
• Demonstrated skill at making progress towards goals in an environment with many competing priorities and projects
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills and demonstrated ability to effectively transmit and interpret information through appropriate communication with internal and external customers
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team-based setting where consultation, flexibility, reliability, initiative, creativity, collaboration, and cooperation are essential
• Demonstrated ability to support a welcoming and respectful environment through job-related experience, an academic setting, and/or community engagement

Desired Qualifications

• Students studying in the School of Library and Information Science, or the English, History, and Cinematic Arts departments may have particular interest, but applications from students in any graduate program will be carefully considered. 

Eligibility

• Please note that students currently enrolled in the Undergraduate-to-Graduate program (U2G) are not eligible for the University Archives Graduate Research Assistant position due to funding structure requirements.

About the Graduate Assistantship

The University Archives Graduate Research Assistantship is designed to support graduate students in the course of their academic work; provide on-the-job training at the immediate pre-professional level for students who are or may become interested in archives or similar career paths; and offer opportunities to accumulate and document significant academic and work experience and accomplishment.

Application Process

Applications for the 2026-2027 University Archives Graduate Research Assistantship must be received by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Select applicants will be contacted via email for either an in-person or virtual interview.

The following application materials should be submitted by email as PDF documents to Sarah Keen at sarah-keen@uiowa.edu. 

• Current resume
• Statement outlining the skills or talents the candidate would bring to the department, as well as outlining their academic and career aspirations in special collections, archives, or a related field, and describing how appointment as a University Archives Graduate Research Assistant would specifically forward those aspirations. The statement should not exceed two (2) typed pages (about 1000 words).
• Contact information for one or two professional references who can speak to the candidate’s work experience

Additional Information

• Classification Title: Graduate Assistantship
• Appointment Type: 50% Fiscal Year
• Term of Appointment: This is a one-year, fiscal appointment to start on or after August 1, 2026, ending June 30, 2027. It is renewable for a second year starting July 1, 2027, contingent upon eligibility, satisfactory completion of all duties relating to the appointment, and satisfactory progress toward the degree.
• Pursuant to Graduate College criteria, all graduate assistants must remain degree-seeking, in good academic standing, and enrolled full-time (at least 9 credit hours).

Compensation

• Graduate teaching and research assistant appointments, employment terms, benefits, and conditions are governed by a Graduate Assistant Employment Standards (see link below), departmental policies, and the University Policy Manual. Base wages are determined by a collective bargaining agreement between the Iowa Board of Regents and UI local 896/COGS.
• Please consult https://grad.uiowa.edu/funding/graduate-student-employment-standards and https://grad.uiowa.edu/funding/graduate-assistantships-and-loans for the most current information.

Contact Information

• Department: Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries
• Contact Name: Sarah Keen
• Contact Email: sarah-keen@uiowa.edu

Equal opportunity employer

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.

Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu.  For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.