[Hiring] Research Assistant, Researching Black Women in the Federal Writers’ Project (Student) @American University

Role Description

The research assistant will work closely with Dr. Anna Kaplan to identify and research Black women employed by the Federal Writers’ Project in the 1930s. The goal is to compile as much information about these women through online records (census records, Ancestry.com, historic newspapers, and digitized state archives). All research will be conducted remotely.

The ideal candidate should have a strong academic background—especially in history, excellent skills in being organized with detailed note taking, and a passion for research. Previous experience with census records and Ancestry.com is a plus but not required.

Essential Functions:

• Research Assistance:
  • Collaborate with the professor on an ongoing research project.
  • Compile lists of FWP writers and assistants and identify which ones were Black women.
  • Locate as much information as possible about these Black women using digital resources.
  • Identify specific archival collections for future in-person research.
• Administrative Tasks:
  • Organize information found and keep records of all archives and collections exhausted.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: Part-time, 20 - 25 hours per week.

Salary Range: $18.40 - $22.50 per hour.

Qualifications

• Good academic standing with a strong GPA from undergraduate and, if possible, graduate programs that the RA attended.
• Previous research experience is an asset and central to this position, including reading a range of handwriting in both print and cursive.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Ability to track detailed information about research conducted, sources found, and collections consulted that yielded no results.
• Effective organizational and time management skills.

Requirements

• Position is part-time and remote, through July 31, 2026.
• Hours per week are flexible, with maximum total hours ranging from 133 to 167 depending on degree status.
• Salary range depends on degree status, up to $3,000 total.
• RA will track hours (with professor’s supervision) and submit timesheets in Workday.

Benefits

• This position is available only to enrolled American University students.