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Director of Garden and Landscape Studies

Director of Garden and Landscape Studies

locationWashington, DC, USA
PublishedPublished: 7/14/2025
Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.


Job Description

Job Summary:

Dumbarton Oaks is a leading research center in Garden and Landscape Studies, with a library that is a point of reference for the field, joined to world-renowned museum collections and a historic garden designed by Beatrix Farrand. In recent years, thanks to a grant from the Mellon Foundation, Dumbarton Oaks has expanded its support of landscape studies in the areas of urban studies, and landscape and democracy.

The Director of Studies is a key contributor to Dumbarton Oaks’ mission to support residential fellows and scholars, promote advanced research in our fields of study, and advocate for the humanities. Candidates should have a distinguished record of scholarly achievement, as well as significant experience in program management and academic administration, and a desire to contribute to a wide array of programs and activities in a collaborative environment.

Reporting to the Director, the Director of Studies oversees and coordinates all programming related to Garden and Landscape Studies at Dumbarton Oaks, including the residential fellowship program, scholarly visitors, scholarly events, and committee meetings. Additionally, the Director of Studies administers the Mellon grant that supports the Landscape and Democracy Initiative at Dumbarton Oaks.

This is a term position (five years, potentially renewable for another five years).


Job Specific Responsibilities:

Internally, the Director of Garden and Landscape Studies has overall responsibility for administering the study program, including: coordinating the meetings of the Committee of Senior Fellows that advises on fellowship selection and programmatic activities; supervising the Program Coordinator and Mellon Coordinator; ensuring the smooth running of activities in Garden and Landscape Studies (such as the annual fellowship cycle, research reports by Fellows, short-term research awards, visiting scholars, etc.); overseeing Garden and Landscape Studies publications; and managing the program budget. The Director of Garden and Landscape Studies provides advice on related holdings within the library and archives; produces reports; and participates in ongoing program evaluation as well as overseeing Garden and Landscape Studies publications. The role may also propose or contribute to dynamic new initiatives and publications in consultation with the Director and relevant departments.

The Director of Garden and Landscape Studies is also expected to interact with the Directors of Pre-Columbian and Byzantine Studies to develop ideas and programs that bring the different areas of Dumbarton Oaks together as a collegial and scholarly community with shared broad interests in the Humanities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervises the Program Coordinator in Garden and Landscape Studies and the Mellon Program Coordinator.


Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

PhD in Garden and Landscape Studies or related field, with peer-reviewed publications and lecturing experience. Minimum of ten years’ experience in an academic setting, including administrative duties.


Additional Qualifications and Skills:

Broad knowledge of various aspects of the humanities outside own specialization. Experience in program management and/or academic administration; strong interpersonal skills; and a desire to contribute to a wide array of programs and activities in a collaborative environment.


Additional Information
  • Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
  • Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, Credit
  • Other Information: This is a term position (five years, potentially renewable for another five years).




Work Format Details

This position is based on-site at a Harvard campus location. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 060. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

  • Generous paid time off including parental leave
  • Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
  • Retirement plans with university contributions
  • Wellbeing and mental health resources
  • Support for families and caregivers
  • Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
  • Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.