Research Assistant - Provenance Studies, Greece & Rome

Research Assistant - Provenance Studies, Ancient Greece & Rome (24-month Contract)
WHO WE ARE
Opened in 1914 and welcoming over 1.3 million visitors annually, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is Canada's most-visited museum, ranking among the top 10 cultural institutions in North America. At ROM, we are dedicated to building and sharing global collections, sharing knowledge, inspiring learning, and fostering community engagement. As a globally recognized field research institute, ROM houses an impressive collection of over 18 million artworks, cultural objects, and natural history specimens, showcased in over 40 galleries and exhibition spaces.

We are committed to creating a space where art, culture, and nature intersect, connecting people and communities to the past, present and shared future. As we continue to work toward our goals to transform and evolve as one of the world’s foremost 21st-century museums, we seek passionate and dynamic team members who embody our mission and values.

WHO WE NEED
We are seeking a Research Assistant – Provenance Studies (Ancient Greece & Rome) for a two-year contract to conduct original, collections-based research that strengthens our understanding and documentation of ROM’s Ancient Greece & Rome collections.

Reporting to the Chief Curator, Arts & Culture and supervised by the Manager of Provenance Studies, you will work collaboratively with curators and colleagues across ROM to investigate the ownership and collecting histories of objects requiring further research. Your work will improve the accuracy and quality of collections data, strengthen provenance documentation, and make provenance information more accessible to both internal and public audiences.

This role is an exciting opportunity for a researcher with specialized knowledge of Greek and Roman antiquity who is interested in applying their expertise to questions of collections history, ethical stewardship, transparency, and public accountability.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

Conduct original, collections-based provenance research on Ancient Greece & Rome objects requiring further investigation

Research and document ownership, collecting, and transfer histories using archival, published, collections, and other relevant sources

Prepare clear, accurate provenance histories and supporting documentation for inclusion in ROM’s collections management system (TMS)

Produce research reports and maintain thorough documentation to support institutional records and ongoing provenance work

Translate complex and potentially sensitive research findings into accessible public-facing content, including website articles, blog posts, and other materials

Collaborate with the Manager of Provenance Studies, curators, registrars, Collections Information staff, and other stakeholders to strengthen museum-wide provenance documentation practices

Contribute to provenance-related policy research and the continued development and implementation of documentation standards

Support provenance research and interpretive content for Ancient Greece & Rome galleries, exhibitions, and related initiatives as required

Contribute to ROM’s broader commitment to responsible, transparent, and ethical collections stewardship

WHAT YOU BRING

Advanced degree in Classical Studies, Art History, Archaeology, or a related field, with specialization in Greek and Roman antiquity

Demonstrated experience conducting provenance research, particularly relating to Ancient Greece & Rome collections

Minimum three (3) years of experience working with museum collections management systems, preferably TMS, and a strong understanding of collections documentation practices

Strong research skills and demonstrated ability to critically assess archival, collections, bibliographic, and other historical sources

Knowledge of the 1970 UNESCO Convention and other international agreements relevant to cultural property and provenance research

Strong interest or experience communicating complex and/or sensitive provenance information clearly and accessibly to non-specialist audiences

Excellent written communication skills with the ability to produce rigorous research documentation as well as…