Betty Lee Sung Research Fellowship

The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) is dedicated to preserving, illuminating, and celebrating the rich history and contributions of Chinese in America. By fostering understanding and greater recognition of our experiences, we endeavor to inspire and connect all Americans.

Betty Lee Sung Research Fellowship

The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) supports rigorous scholarship and creative approaches to exhibition-making. To further these values, MOCA is launching the Betty Lee Sung Research Fellowship, which will support an emerging scholar, post-doctoral academic, or independent curator to conduct object-based research for an upcoming exhibition.

In addition to research in MOCA’s Collections and in other libraries and archives, the fellow will be involved in planning and content development discussions with the exhibition team, consisting of scholars, artists, designers, curators and other MOCA staff. Working directly with MOCA’s curatorial team, the fellow will receive mentorship, training and guidance in the research, development and production of a major multimedia historical exhibition.

The fellowship is named in honor of Betty Lee Sung, a pioneering scholar of Chinese and Asian American history, whose archives are housed at MOCA. The fellow will be awarded a $10,000 stipend for the six-month fellowship.

Fellowship Term:

• 6-month term, September 2026–February 2027
• 24 hours per week
• Flexible schedule; at least one day per week in-person
• $10,000 stipend
  

Responsibilities & Duties: 

• Conduct research at private and public collections, libraries, and online resources for artifacts, images, and historical details according to assigned topics
• Write research summaries on assigned topics
• Present research findings to the curatorial and content team on a weekly schedule 
• Participate in planning meetings to identify and prioritize research goals, and other meetings as needed to discuss exhibition content and design
• Compile, enter, and update content on project databases and spreadsheets
• Manage and maintain artifact and image checklists
• Research provenance information and assist in securing loans and permissions
• Some domestic travel possible
  

Qualifications: 

• Bachelors degree in Chinese American history, Asian American history, American history, art history, media studies, anthropology, or a related field, or experience in public history projects
• Master's degree in related field preferred
• Academic and/or critical writing competency
• Availability to work on-site at MOCA at least once a week or more depending on project needs
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills 
• Collegial, with the ability to work collaboratively and independently
• Self-motivated and detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills
• Intellectually curious with outstanding critical thinking skills
• Prior experience securing image rights and permissions  
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the Adobe Design Suite: Illustrator and Photoshop
• Bilingual Mandarin and/or Cantonese, written and spoken, preferred
  

To Apply:

Only full application including the following materials will be considered.

• Resume
• Cover Letter, addressing your interest in the fellowship and your research focus
• Two Writing Samples – maximum of 500 words (excerpts from academic papers, exhibition texts, art criticism, personal writing, etc.)

Deadline: July 31, 2026

Fellowship start date: September 8, 2026
Fellowship stipend: $10,000

Applications will be accepted from June 8  – July 31, 2026. Candidates who advance to interviews will be contacted directly.

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.

The Museum of Chinese in America is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

About the Betty Lee Sung Research Fellowship

The Betty Lee Sung Research Fellowship at MOCA will support an exceptional young scholar to conduct research for an upcoming temporary exhibition exploring a facet of Chinese American history. The fellow will receive mentorship from MOCA’s curatorial team and an opportunity to contribute to the development of a major multimedia historical exhibition. 

Betty Lee Sung (1924-2023) was a pioneering scholar of Chinese and Asian American history. She founded the first Asian American Studies program on the east coast at City College of New York in 1970. Her books include Mountain of Gold: The Story of the Chinese in America (1967), The Chinese in America (1973), and Chinese American Manpower and Employment (1976).