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Interested in working to preserve and promote heritage in the City of Edmonton? The Edmonton Heritage Council offers a variety of ways to work with us, from employment to short-term contracts to volunteer board opportunities.

Call for Contractor

ECAMP Historical Researcher

Contract Value: $10,000 (estimated 200hrs at $50/hr) March – December 2026

Research Areas 

  • Disability History in Canada 

  • History of Cities and Architecture 

Education 

Minimum bachelor’s degree; MA and above preferred. History or similar field. This position would be a great fit for a graduate or post-graduate student. 

The Edmonton City as Museum Project (ECAMP) is seeking applicants to the contract position of Historical Researcher for a 2026 exhibit development project.  

This year, ECAMP will be exploring the theme “Sensing the City.” Inspired by the late Joy Parr’s work Sensing Changes, we want to connect Edmontonians with heritage through their senses. Using exhibits, stories, trivia nights, and walking tours, we hope to explore questions like: How did Edmontonians experience the city in the past? Which Edmontonians have helped people get a better sense of their surroundings? How do different abilities and disabilities shape Edmontonians’ experience of living in the city?  How can our senses help us understand Edmonton’s heritage? 

The Role 

We are seeking a historical researcher to join us as we begin a new exhibit project with a community group. ECAMP values curiosity, participation, and storytelling grounded in community. With that in mind, we’ll pick a specific subject for this exhibit together with you and the community partner. The community partner will be an organization (or group of individuals) interested in local history and some aspect of the “Sensing the City” theme.  

Working with the ECAMP Exhibit Coordinator, this contract Historical Researcher will build relationships with the community partner, help them identify objects and stories they may want to share in our 2026 Momentary Museums, provide important historical context for our 2026 Momentary Museums, and create the research document that will inform a 2027 exhibit.  

We intend each stage to be cumulative. The 2026 Momentary Museums will be short-term pop-up exhibits (lasting a day or a week), with artifacts and stories from the community partner and others who want to contribute. The 2027 exhibit will be larger, drawing from the artifacts, stories, and research accumulated along the way. You will be our historical expert! 

What you need to have:  

  • Good understanding of or interest in Edmonton’s history  

  • Knowledgeable about local archives and secondary sources for Edmonton’s historical information 

  • Proven academic research skills 

  • Previous experience with historical research and writing and public history projects 

  • Ability to adapt writing to a non-academic audience 

  • Ability to work with and contribute to a team environment 

  • Community-minded and open to building relationships  

  • Experience with or understanding of oral history and material culture methodologies a bonus 

Project Deliverables 

  • Accompany ECAMP Exhibit Coordinator and community partners on field trips to explore ideas together (March-September) 

  • Participate in brainstorming sessions and project meetings; recording important points for follow up research (March – September) 

  • Be the guest speaker at two ECAMP Momentary Museums (TBD, May and September) 

  • Submit a research report that will inform the 2027 Exhibit (October – December) 

Please submit a letter of interest, one example of a previous research project, and your resume/CV by February 9th, 2026 to ecamp@edmontonheritage.ca with the subject line: Historical Researcher 2026.  

EHC is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage diversity and welcome applications from all qualified individuals. 

We thank all applicants in advance, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please expect initial contact within two to three weeks of the closing date.