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Contract Historical Curator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Contract Historical Curator information

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$25.5K

$72.6K

$119.5K

How much do contract historical curator jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract historical curator in the United States is $72,627.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $94,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are contract historical curators?

Contract historical curators are professionals who are hired on a temporary or project-specific basis to manage, research, and interpret historical collections or exhibits for museums, archives, or other cultural institutions. Their duties often include cataloging artifacts, designing exhibits, preparing educational materials, and ensuring the proper preservation of historical items. Unlike full-time staff curators, contract historical curators typically work on short-term assignments, providing specialized expertise for particular projects or timeframes. This role requires a background in history, museum studies, or a related field, along with strong research and organizational skills.

What is the difference between Contract Historical Curator vs Contract Archivist?

AspectContract Historical CuratorContract Archivist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in History, Museum Studies, or related field; often requires experience in curationBachelor's or Master's in Library Science, Archival Studies, or related field; experience in records management
Work EnvironmentMuseums, historical societies, cultural institutionsArchives, libraries, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by cultural and historical organizations to manage collectionsUsed by institutions managing records and historical documents

The Contract Historical Curator focuses on managing and interpreting historical collections in museums or cultural institutions, while the Contract Archivist specializes in preserving and organizing records and documents. Both roles require related credentials and work in similar environments, but their primary focus differs—collections vs. records management.

What are some typical challenges faced by contract historical curators when working with diverse collections and stakeholders?

Contract historical curators often encounter the challenge of quickly acclimating to an institution's unique collection, documentation systems, and curatorial standards. They must efficiently build relationships with permanent staff and community stakeholders, balancing the need to preserve historical integrity with project deadlines and budgets. Adapting to varying institutional cultures and managing multiple short-term projects simultaneously can also require strong organizational and communication skills. This dynamic role offers valuable experience across different collections and can open doors to permanent curatorial positions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Historical Curator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Historical Curator, you need a solid background in history or museum studies, experience with artifact management, and often an advanced degree in a related field. Familiarity with collection management systems, digital archiving tools, and relevant certifications such as Registered Member (RPA) or Certified Archivist are commonly required. Strong research skills, attention to detail, and effective communication and project management abilities set outstanding curators apart. These skills are essential for accurately preserving and interpreting historical materials, ensuring compliance with standards, and successfully managing projects on a contract basis.
More about Contract Historical Curator jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Historical Curator jobs? Cities with the most Contract Historical Curator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Historical Curator jobs? The most popular types of Historical Curator jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Historical Curator jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Historical Curator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Contract Historical Curator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Historical Curator jobs are:
Infographic showing various Contract Historical Curator job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 62% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,627 per year, or $34.9 per hour.
BCAS - Renewable Contract Research Assistant Professor and Curator of Paleontology - 527461

BCAS - Renewable Contract Research Assistant Professor and Curator of Paleontology - 527461

University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL

Other

Re-posted 15 days ago


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Job description

Job no: 527461
Position type: Regular Full-time (Benefits eligible)
Location: Tuscaloosa
Division/Equivalent: Academic Affairs
School/Unit: Arts and Sciences
Department/Office: 204905 - Curation
Categories: Non-Tenure-Track/Clinical Faculty

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Department/Organization
204901 - Museums


Rank
Research Assistant Professor


Position Summary
The Department of Museum Research and Collections within UA Museums at the University of Alabama is searching for a Renewable Contract Research Assistant Professor and Curator of Paleontology with a start date of August of 2026. Successful applicants will have demonstrated experience in Paleontological Research and teaching experience in related fields.


Detailed Position Information
The Department of Museum Research and Collections within UA Museums at the University of Alabama is searching for a Renewable Contract Research Assistant Professor and Curator of Paleontology with a start date of August of 2026. Successful applicants will have demonstrated experience in Paleontological Research and teaching experience in related fields.
The Department of Museum Research and Collections within UA Museums is one of seven departments within the UA Museums. We are responsible for the care of ~5 million objects and specimens across multiple disciplines. We have active research programs in paleontology, history and ethnology, entomology and archaeology. Visit our website to learn more, https://collections.museums.ua.edu/
The position is benefits eligible. Applicants should complete the online application at ua.edu. The application should include a letter of application and a current curriculum vita.


Minimum Qualifications
PhD in Paleontology, or a related field; with some experience teaching at the college level.


Preferred Qualifications
PhD in Paleontology, or a related field; with some experience teaching at the college level.


Instructions and Required Materials for Application
Applicants should complete the online application at https://careers.ua.edu/jobs/search/AS. The application should include a letter of application and a current curriculum vita.


About the Division/College/School
The J. Frank Barefield Jr. College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Alabama offers an exciting and dynamic environment for faculty seeking to make an impact in their field and in the lives of the innovators and changemakers of tomorrow.
As the largest college at The University, we house over 9,000 students and 1,000 faculty and staff across our 22 departments.
With nationally recognized programs and award-winning faculty, our College has positioned itself as a leader in higher education. Our facilities and resources include state-of-the-art laboratories, research centers, and performance venues, providing students with hands-on learning experiences and opportunities for research and creative expression.
The College is committed to the liberal arts philosophy that fosters creative and critical thinking and a lifetime of learning."


About the University
The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, named one of Travel + Leisure's 25 Best College Towns and Cities in the U.S. As one of the nation's premier universities, UA offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in nearly 200 fields of study. With more than 1,400 acres of tree-lined academic core campus and over 300 state-of-the art facilities, UA has been ranked among the most beautiful and most impressive college campuses in the South, in the state of Alabama and in the nation.
In Fall 2023, the Capstone set a new enrollment record with more than 39,000 students, including more than 8,200 in the freshman class. The current enrollment includes students from every county in Alabama, every state in the nation and 92 countries around the world. More than 1,100 National Merit Scholars are currently enrolled, making UA one of the largest enrolling institutions of the scholars in the country.
UA was recently recognized as a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright U.S. students for the seventh time in nine years, as well as a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright U.S. Scholars for the first time. UA is one of only 12 universities in the nation to receive both honors.
For reasons like this, the University made Forbes list of America's Top Colleges for 2023 and Time magazine's list of Top 50 Best Colleges for Future Leaders. It also made Princeton Review's list of Top Value Colleges.
UA is also designated among the top doctoral research universities in the United States in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. One of the fastest growing major research institutions in the nation, UA saw a 21% increase in sponsored awards in the 2023 fiscal year.
Since 2015, UA has invested over $1.1 billion in the physical campus, adding more than 2.55 million gross square feet of space, over 150 new research-intensive faculty, signature research areas (e.g., "The Alabama Research Institutes"), and a growing number of partnerships with industry and with state and federal agencies.
The University employs nearly 2,100 faculty and over 4,500 staff, with 52 UA researchers included in the National Academy of Inventors. An additional 40 current faculty have received the NSF CAREER Award, the nation's most prestigious recognition of top performing young scientists in disciplines ranging from nanoscience and engineering to biological sciences.


Background Investigation and EEO Statement
Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.
The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants to and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. "EEO is the Law" https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf

Advertised: Sep 05 2025 Central Daylight Time
Application close: Aug 01 2026 Central Daylight Time

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