Graduate Assistantships

Position Description

Introduction:

UNI Museum in Rod Library is seeking a graduate assistant for research, development, and implementation of an exhibit in the UNI Campanile for the 100th celebration during the university’s 150th anniversary. This project is in collaboration with the UNI Foundation.

Position Title: Campanile Exhibit Museum Graduate Assistantship

Reports to: Nathan Arndt, Museum Director & Curator (nathan.arndt@uni.edu)

Terms of Employment:

• For the Fall semester 10 hours per week, beginning August 25, 2025 and ending December 19, 2025.

Compensation:

• Graduate Assistantship stipend is $3,090 for a half-time appointment (10 hours per week) for fall semester. Pay is biweekly and stipend is prorated depending on start date.
• Graduate Assistants and their spouses may qualify for in-state tuition.
• Graduate Assistants may receive University holidays and do not work during the interims between semesters.
• For more information regarding Graduate Assistantship procedures review https://grad.uni.edu/faq-grad-assistantship-tuition-scholarship.

Primary Responsibilities:

Working in conjunction with museum staff:

• Researches the key historical components of the campanile and curates 100 years of history into a series of outdoor rated exhibit panels.
• Writes exhibit labels and creates signage for the inside of the campanile.
• Creates curated layout on the main floor of the building including historical context and video elements (Including live feed) when it is being played.
• Incorporates original historical display elements back into the display including the memorial displays.
• Creates an online exhibit to share as part of the 150th exhibit.

General Qualifications:

• Must be a full-time (enrolled in at least 9 eligible credits), degree-seeking student in a UNI's graduate program. Online students do qualify for assistantships.
• Be regularly admitted without provisions to degree status in an eligible graduate degree program.  
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00. First semester graduate students must have an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75.
• Have an official transcript on file in the Office of Admissions and be fully declared in their graduate major before the start of the assignment.
• Must meet and complete I-9 eligibility to work in the United States.
• See detailed eligibility on https://grad.uni.edu/faq-grad-assistantship-tuition-scholarship.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong background in historical research, curatorial skills, and/or exhibit design.
• Experience working in a museum or archives.
• Experience working with museum databases.
• Experience working with digital media.
• Organized and proactive about asking questions and implementing feedback. 
• Some experience with digital design.

Application Process and Deadline:  

To apply, submit the Assistantship application form. Attach: resume and a cover letter. The contact receiving your submission is Marykaye Roberts (marykaye.roberts@uni.edu).

Applications received by Wednesday, March 26, 2025 will be given full consideration.

UNI actively seeks to enhance diversity and is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. The University encourages applications from persons of color, women, individuals living with disabilities, and protected veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal and/or state law.

Position Description

Introduction:

The UNI Museum’s The Center for the History of Rural Iowa Education and Culture (CHRIEC) in Rod Library maintains archival, historical, and research collections; collects oral histories; and provides programming that seeks to advance scholarship and support the educational, research, and service missions of the university. The Center is seeking a Graduate Assistant to assist in stewarding, maintaining, and providing access to these important Rural School Collections. This position will focus primarily on digital curation, digital preservation, and accessioning of the collection.

Position Title: Graduate Assistantship for Rural School Collections

Reports to: Nathan Arndt, Museum Director & Curator (nathan.arndt@uni.edu)

Terms of Employment:

• For the Fall semester 10 hours per week, beginning August 25, 2025 and ending December 19, 2025.
• For the Spring semester 10 or 20 hours per week, beginning January 21, 2026 and ending May 16, 2026.

Compensation:

• Graduate Assistantship stipend is $3,090 for a half-time appointment (10 hours per week) and $6,180 for full-time (20 hours per week) per semester. Pay is biweekly and stipend is prorated depending on start date.
• Graduate Assistants and their spouses may qualify for in-state tuition.
• Graduate Assistants may receive University holidays and do not work during the interims between semesters.
• For more information regarding Graduate Assistantship procedures review https://grad.uni.edu/faq-grad-assistantship-tuition-scholarship.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Physical collection responsibilities include rehousing materials into archival folders and boxes; creating index labels for microfilm holdings; corresponding with donors; digital collections management and implementation into the museum database, or other archival systems.
• Digital collection responsibilities include, but are not limited to scanning Primary Source Material and entering into the database; researching county history and updating information within the database; and digitizing microfilm and slides.
• Assists staff with the transition of the collection to a new database.
• Assists with rural school research requests.

General Qualifications:

• Must be a full-time (enrolled in at least 9 eligible credits), degree-seeking student in a UNI's graduate program. Online students do qualify for assistantships.
• Be regularly admitted without provisions to degree status in an eligible graduate degree program.  
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00. First semester graduate students must have an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75.
• Have an official transcript on file in the Office of Admissions and be fully declared in their graduate major before the start of the assignment.
• Must meet and complete I-9 eligibility to work in the United States.
• See detailed eligibility on https://grad.uni.edu/faq-grad-assistantship-tuition-scholarship.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a museum or archives.
• Experience working with museum databases.
• Experience working with digital media or scanners.
• Organized and proactive about asking questions and implementing feedback.
• Adaptable to a quickly changing schedule.
• Comfortable working with the public and completing research requests.

Application Process and Deadline:  

To apply, submit the Assistantship application form. Attach: resume and a cover letter. The contact receiving your submission is Marykaye Roberts (marykaye.roberts@uni.edu).

Applications received by Wednesday, March 26, 2025 will be given full consideration.

UNI actively seeks to enhance diversity and is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. The University encourages applications from persons of color, women, individuals living with disabilities, and protected veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal and/or state law.

Position Description

Introduction:

The UNI Museum’s The Center for the History of Rural Iowa Education and Culture (CHRIEC) in Rod Library maintains archival, historical, and research collections; collects oral histories; and provides programming that seeks to advance scholarship and support the educational, research, and service missions of the university. The Center is seeking a Graduate Assistant to assist in stewarding, maintaining, and providing access to these important Rural School Collections.

Position Title: Wilma Hefty Clancy Endowed Graduate Assistantship for Rural School Collections

Reports to: Nathan Arndt, Museum Director & Curator (nathan.arndt@uni.edu)

Terms of Employment:

• For the Fall semester 10 hours per week, beginning August 25, 2025 and ending December 19, 2025.
• For the Spring semester 10 hours per week, beginning January 21, 2026 and ending May 16, 2026.

Compensation:

• Graduate Assistantship stipend is $3,090 for a half-time appointment (10 hours per week) per semester. Pay is biweekly and stipend is prorated depending on start date.
• Graduate Assistants and their spouses may qualify for in-state tuition.
• Graduate Assistants may receive University holidays and do not work during the interims between semesters.
• For more information regarding Graduate Assistantship procedures review https://grad.uni.edu/faq-grad-assistantship-tuition-scholarship.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Responsibilities may include rehousing materials into archival folders and boxes; creating index labels for microfilm holdings; corresponding with donors; fulfilling research and reference requests; and creating and/or updating finding aids, the museum database, or other archival systems. 
• Other responsibilities include museum website maintenance; digital content management, including digitizing and uploading oral interviews; collection management; and researcher training. The center will also be conducting rural school interviews throughout the year in which this student may be required to assist.
• The GA will be responsible for self-guided software training on ViewScan, MuseumPlus, and Adobe Photoshop; for gaining a working understanding of professional archival practices and local policies; and for learning and maintaining the overall organizational structure of the Rural School Collections. 
• This position will assist staff with the transition of the collection to a new database.

General Qualifications:

• Must be a full-time (enrolled in at least 9 eligible credits), degree-seeking student in a UNI's graduate program. Online students do qualify for assistantships.
• Be regularly admitted without provisions to degree status in an eligible graduate degree program.  
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00. First semester graduate students must have an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75.
• Have an official transcript on file in the Office of Admissions and be fully declared in their graduate major before the start of the assignment.
• Must meet and complete I-9 eligibility to work in the United States.
• See detailed eligibility on https://grad.uni.edu/faq-grad-assistantship-tuition-scholarship.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working within a museum or archives
• Experience working with museum databases
• Experience working with digital media or scanners
• Strong organizational skills
• Proactive about asking questions and implementing feedback
• Adaptable to a quickly changing schedule
• Strong interpersonal skills and able to work with the public 
• Ability to carefully handle and move up to 50 pounds
• Self-directed

Application Process and Deadline:  

To apply, submit the Assistantship application form. Attach: resume and a cover letter. The contact receiving your submission is Marykaye Roberts (marykaye.roberts@uni.edu).

Applications received by Wednesday, March 26, 2025 will be given full consideration.

UNI actively seeks to enhance diversity and is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. The University encourages applications from persons of color, women, individuals living with disabilities, and protected veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal and/or state law.