Gale Scholar, Research Historian

JOB TITLE: Gale Scholar, Research Historian 

LOCATION: History Center - 345 W Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102

COMPENSATION: Typical starting range $59,092.80  - $63,648.00

STATUS & HOURS: Full-time, (approximately 2,080 annual hours) project position through June 30, 2028. This is a two year position funded by the Gale Family Foundation.

BENEFITS:  Eligible to participate in State Employee Group Insurance Program and a retirement program with employer contribution. Generous vacation and sick time accruals with additional paid holidays.

DESIGNATION: Bargaining Unit AFSCME Local 3173

POSTING DATE: December 1, 2025

DEADLINE DATE: February 16, 2026

TO APPLY: Interested applicants must apply online at the Minnesota Historical Society’s career center at www.mnhs.org/jobs and include a resume and cover letter by the application deadline date.  

APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE: 

• Cover letter, not more than two pages, stating interest and qualifications

• Curriculum vitae

• A research writing sample. This sample can be a 15-20 page academic research paper or an equivalent sample from a published book, article, scholarly work, or similar work in progress. The sample should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to conduct historical research and analysis, synthesize primary and secondary resources, cite sources appropriately, and communicate ideas and arguments clearly. 

• Answers to all application questions within the online ADP application.

• Two letters of reference: must be from professional and academic supervisors.

DESCRIPTION:  This position exists to support the work of MNHS staff by conducting primary and secondary research and developing historical content use in exhibitions, programs, publications, digital platforms, public presentations, and other delivery methods as needed. Funding for this position is made possible by the Gale Family Foundation.

SUMMARY OF WORK:  1) Plan, organize and conduct historical research to assist in producing content for MNHS exhibits, public programs and initiatives, and/or publication with the guidance of the Director, Research; 2) Work collaboratively to develop and manage a capstone research project that utilizes the MNHS collections and/or serves MNHS’s mission; and 3) Participate in staff presentations, lectures, symposia, programming planning teams, and other forums, and provide public programs on topics researched. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• M.A. in history or an interdisciplinary field. 

• Scholars pursuing research and writing on the regional history of Minnesota, the Upper Midwest, or the Upper Mississippi in the 19th and/or 20th centuries are eligible. The position is open to all areas of the Upper Midwest history, broadly defined, but preference will be given to a scholar whose research and teaching expertise are situated within Women’s and Gender Studies, Environmental History, Indigenous History, LGBTQ History, Intersectional History, or transdisciplinary work that combine those areas. 

•  Research interests in borderlands, settler colonialism, women’s history, environmental history, immigration history, social movements, and race.

•  We are also interested in scholars who study processes that reconfigure local and trans-local contexts (such as shifting borders, urbanization, and social movements) and who have a transregional approach or employ a transborder framework. 

• We are looking for someone whose research background and interests can support work focused on publicly presenting the richly layered political, cultural, and social history of Minnesota and situating this history within broader historical contexts.

• Proven grammatical skills, attention to detail, accuracy and strong proofreading skills to ensure that documents are error-free.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously and to maintain a professional and neat work environment.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and to handle confidential information discreetly and appropriately. 

• Demonstrated ability to think imaginatively and problem solve.

• Proven ability to work diplomatically with individuals of diverse backgrounds and with diverse communities in Minnesota.

• Self-motivated and able to work independently.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD in History, American Studies, Ethnic Studies, or other fields related to the work outlined above.

SELECTION PROCESS:  MNHS will recruit nationally to attract highly qualified individuals to this appointment. Candidates will complete an application developed specifically for the Gale Scholars Program. Gale Scholars will have a record of superior academic achievement in fields of study relevant to the Minnesota Historical Society’s mission and the ability to clearly articulate their interest in historical preservation, and will demonstrate a potential to succeed at the highest level in their field of endeavor.

EXPENSES:  The Gale Fund will provide the funding needed for the scholar's salary and benefits as well as expenses related to the selection process.

ADMINISTRATION:  MNHS will be responsible for administering the program and assuring that Gale Scholars receive wide exposure to possible careers in public history.

The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) is honored and grateful to offer the

Gale Scholars Program funded by the Alfred P. and Leona Gale Fund.

Should you have questions with the application process, email humanresources@mnhs.org or call MNHS Job Line at 651-259-3181.   

At MNHS, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on diversity for the benefit of our employees, our products and services, and our community. The Minnesota Historical Society believes that an inclusive culture among our team members is critical to our success as a historical society and museum, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The Minnesota Historical Society is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and employer.