Curator/Archivist

Job Details

Description

Stony Brook University is seeking a PRODiG+ Fellow in the department of University Libraries / Special Collections and University Archives through the State University of New York (SUNY) Promoting Recruitment, Opportunity, Diversity, Inclusion and Growth Plus (PRODiG+) Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. PRODiG+ is designed with two primary goals: (1) increasing the number and share of excellent diverse faculty committed to advancing the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusion; and (2) strengthening the pipeline for retention and support of those faculty. Additional information on the PRODiG+ Fellowship can be found at https://www.suny.edu/prodig-plus/fellowship/.

Curator/Archivist is a postdoctoral PRODiG+ fellow who stewards, processes, and promotes diverse archival and special collections, and participates in instructional programs, collections-based research, and outreach activities. The curator/archivist ensures these collections are preserved, discoverable, and meaningfully integrated into the University’s commitment to inclusive teaching practice, innovative research, and community engagement.

The position is a full-time, 12-month, non-tenure-track faculty position at the lecturer level to commence in Fall 2026. The successful candidate will be appointed for 2 years at an annual salary of $80,000 with comprehensive state benefits. The fellow will be a part of a mentored research environment and, with successful performance and demonstrated equitable and inclusive teaching strategies focused on student success, will be invited to join the tenure-track faculty at Stony Brook University after two years.

This role involves accessioning, organizing, and describing collection materials; and facilitating access in alignment with professional standards and ADA requirements. The curator/archivist will support the evaluation of materials for potential inclusion in collections or instructional use. The curator/archivist works closely with faculty, students, researchers, and community partners to design and deliver instruction, workshops, and interpretive programs that foster critical engagement with the collections/archives. Through collaboration and outreach, the curator/archivist builds bridges between the Libraries’ holdings and the broader academic and public communities, ensuring these resources remain vibrant, accessible, and relevant for future generations.

The successful candidate’s appointment will be in University Libraries

Reporting

This position reports to the Director of Special Collections and University Archives.

Responsibilities and Requirements:

Instruction and Research Support

• Develop and deliver instruction sessions focused primarily on primary sources, including other relevant archival and library materials, across undergraduate and graduate courses.
• Collaborate with faculty to design assignments and learning outcomes incorporating archival and rare materials.
• Facilitate workshops and outreach programs promoting archival literacy and research skills.
• Provide reference and research support for students, faculty, and external researchers.
• Respond to inquiries related to physical and digital collections (in-person and remote).
• Create accessible online tutorials and learning objects supporting diverse learning styles.
• Assist with reading room operations and access to collections.

Curatorial Support

• Assist with arrangement and description of physical and digital collections.
• Support acquisitions, exhibitions, and collection development initiatives.
• Contribute to interpretive projects including guides, web content, and online exhibits.
• Participate in grant writing and grants management activities.

Digital Projects & Collections

• Contribute to digital curation initiatives, including digitization, metadata creation, and emerging approaches to computational access and analysis of archival collections.
• Explore innovative approaches to expanding access and engagement with digital archival materials.
• Perform retrieval, handling, transport, and reshelving of archival and rare materials in accordance with preservation and collection care standards.

Research & Scholarship

• Conduct independent and collaborative research, with an emphasis on projects related to institutional collections and archives.
• Engage in professional service and development through participation in professional organizations, conferences, workshops, and training opportunities.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

A master’s degree or PhD, or other advanced degree (foreign equivalent accepted), or an equivalent combination of education and experience commensurate with the position’s requirements. Experience working in special collections, archives, or digital collections/content environments, with familiarity with archival principles and cataloging or metadata standards Demonstrate personal, academic, and/or work experience engaging with diversity, equity, and inclusion and/or a commitment to facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the campus community. Such experiences may include, but is not limited to, an academic/scholarly track record focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion; work, volunteer/unpaid/community service, or related experience/expertise in serving underserved or vulnerable areas and/or populations. Be eligible to work in the United States without a visa sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications:

Coursework in archives/library Experience arranging, processing, and describing archival and physical/tangible collections following professional archival and library standards and best practices. Instruction or training experience in an archives/cultural heritage or related environment. Familiarity with computational methods or AI applied to digital collections and related datasets, including unstructured and uncurated data. Evidence of research, scholarship, or professional engagement. Demonstrated ability, or potential, to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration. Possess technical skills in ADA/digital accessibility and commitment to ensure access for all users.

Preference will be given to candidates who are:

• Current SUNY students, alumni, and/or Fellows.
• From a low-income background (e.g. Pell-eligible as undergraduates), were first-generation college students (students whose parents have not earned a bachelor's degree), have overcome adversity, are AmeriCorps alumni or are veterans.

The PRODiG + Fellowship is open to any and all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and is consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination laws. All application submissions will be assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria.

About the University Libraries:

The University Libraries are an essential partner in Stony Brook University’s mission of global leadership in research, discovery, and learning, positioning ourselves as the hub of collaboration, digital innovation, open scholarship, and creativity. We provide the best possible access to a wide-range of resources in multiple formats and world-renowned special collections and actively contribute to student success and faculty productivity through teaching and research services in alignment with the University’s strategic priorities. Our strategic vision is to embrace innovation and AI as key components in achieving our goals. As the largest academic research library on Long Island, the Libraries serve as a vital resource for regional and global communities. The Libraries’ strategic plan can be found here: https://guides.library.stonybrook.edu/c.php?g=1314005&p=10274908

The University Libraries play a key role in advancing the University’s commitment to furthering diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in our spaces, collections, services, and outreach. We have a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility values in our hiring, training, and daily work practices where differences are acknowledged, respected, and celebrated. We welcome candidates who genuinely embrace the empathy, courage, self-reflection, and intentionality of a diverse and inclusive workplace to apply.