Research Assistant, Japan Gallery

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.

We are seeking a Research Assistant – Japan Gallery for a two-year, full-time contract to support the development of the Prince Takamado Gallery of Japan, planned for 2028.

Reporting to the Chief Curator, Art and Culture and working closely with the Bishop White Committee Curator of Japanese Art and Culture, you will contribute to the research and development of the new gallery while supporting related publications, exhibitions, programs, acquisitions, and loans.

You will research artworks and artifacts within ROM’s collection, contribute to the development of new narratives and approaches to presenting Japanese art and culture, maintain collections documentation, and participate in consultation and collaboration with colleagues and communities. This is an exciting opportunity for an emerging museum professional with expertise in Japanese art and culture to contribute directly to a major gallery development project.

• Conduct collections-based research on Japanese artworks and artifacts being considered for inclusion in the new gallery
• Research and help identify potential acquisitions and loans that support the gallery’s interpretive and collections objectives
• Collaborate in developing narratives, methodologies, and approaches for understanding and presenting Japanese art and culture in a museum setting
• Contribute research and content to gallery development, publications, exhibitions, programs, and related initiatives
• Maintain accurate collections documentation and data within ROM’s collections management system (TMS)
• Participate in cross-functional Japan Gallery development meetings and contribute research expertise throughout the project
• Support community consultation and engagement with advisory groups as part of the gallery development process
• Collaborate with curators and colleagues across ROM to advance project priorities, milestones, and deliverables

• Academic training in Art History, History, Anthropology, Museum Studies, or a related field relevant to Japanese art and culture
• Experience working within a museum curatorial environment
• Demonstrated research and analytical skills, including the ability to conduct detailed collections-based research
• Proficiency in reading and writing Japanese
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate research clearly to different audiences
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage priorities and meet project deadlines
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within a diverse, cross-functional team
• Familiarity with museum collections databases such as TMS, digitization practices, and related software is an asset

• Comprehensive benefits coverage: For permanent and full-time contract positions (conditions…