Temporary Research Photographer, Private Project through MIT (Cambridge, MA)

Posted September 30, 2026

Description:
An alumnus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is looking for someone to visit the MIT Distinctive Collections Reading Room and photograph pages from MIT’s printed degree lists for a personal research project. The reading room is open to the public by appointment. Volumes are on reference shelves, but the call number (T171.M42j), the two titles (Commencement Exercises and Degrees Awarded), and the years (2011 through 2019) should be listed upon booking so that staff can prepare the materials. Photos with a phone or camera (no flash) are allowed.

Position Duties:

Capture a clear photo of every page that lists a Physics Ph.D., plus each volume’s title page.
In detail, for each year from 2011 through 2019, in that year’s Commencement Exercises volume and in its February and September issues of Degrees Awarded, photograph the title page and any introductory page explaining who is listed as well as every page listing Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Physics, including thesis titles where they’re printed. (If Physics isn’t listed separately, photograph the whole School of Science doctoral section.)
Each photo should show one whole page, sharp and fully legible, including its page number.
Label files by publication, issue, and year, note any volume or issue that isn’t on the shelf.
Book your reading-room appointment within a few days of being hired, and deliver the photos within a week of your visit via private upload link, a shared-folder link, or email. Any common format is fine so long as the photos are full resolution.

Qualifications:

Able to visit the MIT campus during reading-room hours, with a photo ID.
Careful and detail-oriented; every photo must be sharp and fully legible.
Familiarity with special-collections reading rooms is a plus.

Hours and Compensation:

One-time task (about 3 hours on site; roughly 100 to 175 pages to photograph).
$150 flat fee, paid in full within a day of receiving the photos (even if some volumes turn out to be missing), by Zelle, Venmo, or check (payment is made only after delivery; you will never be asked to pay anything or to share financial information up front).
Location: MIT Distinctive Collections Reading Room, 14N-118, 160 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA. Open Monday to Thursday, 10:00 am-4:00 pm, by appointment only: book at least 6 days ahead at libraries.mit.edu/distinctive-collections/reading-room-policies/request-appointment/ (or call 617-253-5690), and bring a photo ID to check in.

How to Apply:

Email [email protected] with a sentence or two about yourself and when you could do the work.