CIMAM Open Call for a Research Assistant

19 June 2026

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CIMAM is seeking a Research Assistant to support the development of a framework of ethical principles for collection management. The selected candidate will assist with research, data collection and analysis, the coordination of focus groups, and the synthesis of findings to inform the Working Group's recommendations.

Job Opportunity: Research Assistant

CIMAM Museum Watch Glossary on Ethical Principles for Collection Management

Contract Period: July 2026 – January 2027
Type of Contract: Freelance
Estimated Workload: 50 hours
Reporting to: CIMAM Museum Watch Working Group

About CIMAM:

CIMAM (International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art) is an Affiliated Organization of ICOM and the only global network of directors, curators, and museum professionals working in modern and contemporary art museums, collections, and archives. Founded in 1962, CIMAM fosters international dialogue, knowledge exchange, and professional collaboration, while promoting ethical standards in museum practice and representing the interests of its professional community in accordance with the principles and values of the ICOM Code of Ethics and CIMAM's Code of Ethics.

About the Project

CIMAM's Museum Watch Committee (MW), the organization’s advocacy program dedicated to supporting museum professionals facing situations that may compromise ethical and professional standards, is launching a new international research initiative to develop a framework of ethical principles to guide the building, governance, and long-term care of museum collections through processes of acquisition, accessioning, safeguarding, and custodianship.

The project seeks to examine how museums and collections can navigate complex ethical questions related to ownership, stewardship, governance, public access, donor relations, artists' rights, collection integrity, and cultural responsibility across diverse legal, political, and cultural contexts.

The project will result in an international mapping of current approaches and concerns, a glossary of key terms and concepts, and a practical guidance document informed by the experiences of museum professionals worldwide.

Role Overview

The Research Assistant will support the Museum Watch Working Group throughout the research, consultation, analysis, and drafting phases of the project.

Working closely with the Working Group and the CIMAM Executive Office, the Research Assistant will conduct background research, synthesize member contributions, support the organization of international focus groups, identify emerging themes and areas of consensus, and contribute to the drafting of project outputs.

This position is ideally suited to a researcher with experience in museum studies, cultural policy, heritage governance, collection management, ethics, or related fields.

Key Responsibilities:

Research and Background Analysis

  • Conduct desk research on international museum policies, collection governance frameworks, ethical standards, and relevant case studies.
  • Review existing literature, policy documents, professional guidelines, and academic research related to museum collections, stewardship, ownership, acquisitions, and public access.
  • Identify and map relevant organizations, initiatives, and resources working in these areas internationally.

Survey and Focus Group Support

  • Review, organize, and analyze all written contributions submitted by CIMAM members.
  • Identify recurring themes, emerging concerns, areas of consensus to inform the focus group discussions.
  • Work closely with the CIMAM Executive Office and the Museum Watch Working Group to refine the focus group methodology and key discussion questions.
  • Attend and facilitate four international focus groups organized by the CIMAM Executive Office.
  • Document discussions and prepare detailed summaries highlighting key findings, examples, tensions, and recommendations emerging from each session.

Analysis and Synthesis

  • Identify recurring themes, areas of consensus, and tensions.
  • Map examples of existing policies, practices, and approaches shared by participants.
  • Produce analytical summaries and research reports to support Working Group discussions.

Content Development

Contribute to the drafting and refinement of:

  • The international mapping report.
  • The glossary of key terms and definitions.
  • The final guidance document.
  • A repository of examples, policies, and practices contributed by museum professionals.

Profile and Qualifications:

  • Advanced degree in Museum Studies, Art History, Heritage Studies, Cultural Policy, Cultural Management, Anthropology, Sociology, or a related field.
  • Demonstrated experience in qualitative research, policy analysis, or knowledge production.
  • Strong analytical and synthesis skills. Experience managing and synthesizing large volumes of qualitative information.
  • Excellent writing and editing skills in English.
  • Ability to work independently while collaborating with an international team.

Desirable

  • Professional experience in museums, collections, archives, or cultural institutions.
  • Knowledge of museum ethics, collection management, provenance research, governance, or cultural policy.

Deliverables

The Research Assistant will contribute to the delivery of:

  • Background research and literature review.
  • Focus group documentation and summaries.
  • Analysis of written and verbal contributions.
  • International mapping of approaches and concerns.
  • Glossary of key terms and definitions.
  • Final guidance document and supporting materials.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit:

  • Motivation letter of up to 500 words
  • Curriculum Vitae.
  • One relevant writing sample or publication.
  • Contact Inés Jover at inesjover@cimam.org

Useful links: