Graduate Student Research Assistant – Archival Metadata Project

About the role

This graduate research assistant position supports an archiving project that digitizes and makes accessible historical materials from the Snowflake community in Arizona. The work focuses on creating detailed metadata for both Vanderbilt University’s archives and a community‑based archive managed by the Disability Archives Lab.

Key responsibilities

• Generate standardized metadata (MARC and Dublin Core) for a diverse collection of photographs, letters, flyers, and other ephemera.
• Collaborate with the principal investigator and fellow students to ensure accurate description of archival items.
• Assist in digitization workflows and provide feedback on the development of a community‑driven digital archive.
• Conduct research on local disability history to inform metadata context.

Required profile

• Full‑time graduate student enrolled at McGill University.
• Authorized to work in Canada.
• Interest in disability history, environmental health, or archival studies.

Required skills

• MARC metadata standard
• Dublin Core metadata standard

What we offer

• Hands‑on experience with digitization and metadata creation.
• Opportunity to work on a research team and contribute to a community‑focused archive.
• Exposure to interdisciplinary topics linking environmental health and disability advocacy.