Historian job description.
A Historian researches, analyzes, and interprets historical records, events, and materials for institutions such as museums, archives, government agencies, or academic organizations. They conduct primary and secondary research, produce written reports or exhibits, and preserve historical knowledge for public or institutional use.
The Historian job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Historian Reports to: Research Director or Museum/Archive Manager
A Historian researches, analyzes, and interprets historical records, events, and materials for institutions such as museums, archives, government agencies, or academic organizations. They conduct primary and secondary research, produce written reports or exhibits, and preserve historical knowledge for public or institutional use.
- Conduct research using primary and secondary historical sources
- Analyze and interpret documents, artifacts, and archival materials
- Write reports, articles, or exhibit content based on research findings
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
2 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Research Director or Museum/Archive Manager
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Conduct research using primary and secondary historical sources
- Analyze and interpret documents, artifacts, and archival materials
- Write reports, articles, or exhibit content based on research findings
- Organize and catalog historical records or collections
- Provide historical context and consultation to internal stakeholders
- Support exhibit development, public programs, or educational materials
- Ensure accuracy and proper sourcing in historical documentation
- Present research findings to colleagues, the public, or governing bodies
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in history or related field
- Strong research and analytical writing skills
- Experience working with archival or primary source materials
- Attention to detail and accuracy in documentation
- Advanced degree (MA or PhD) in history or a specialized field
- Experience with museum, archival, or government research settings
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Historian job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Historian job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Research Director or Museum/Archive Manager) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- What degree level is typically required for this role?
- A bachelor's degree is often the minimum, but many institutions prefer or require a master's degree in history for research-focused positions.
- Do historians only work in academia?
- No, historians are also employed by museums, government agencies, archives, nonprofits, and private research firms.
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This Historian job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.