Assistance needed with a Tom of Finland research project in Los Angeles

Assistance needed with a Tom of Finland research project in Los Angeles

Portrait of Tom of Finland made of stamps for the 2014 exhibition, Sealed with a Secret, at Postimuseo, Tampere, Finland, by Susanna Luoto.

Short-term Collection Assistant

Paid research assistant needed

I am looking for a short-term research assistant in Los Angeles to support the technical processing of the Tom of Finland stamp collection as part of my research project based at the University of Oxford:

The Posthumous Stamps of Tom of Finland: Tracing Queer Histories from Homoerotic Mail Order to Cruising During the Cold War

This is a hands-on collections task involving a unique and historically significant stamp collection related to Tom of Finland’s international mail-order networks. The work is part of a larger research project on Cold War–era Queer networks and alternative infrastructures.

The main tasks include:
• Sorting and grouping stamps
• Recording all available stamp-related information in an Excel spreadsheet (e.g. country, denomination/currency, language, possible temporal reference, number of duplicates).
• Identifying distinct stamp types and assigning identifiers
• Finally, producing visual documentation of the distinct stamps

The work consists of technical and systematic collection processing, not research analysis. The workflow is clearly defined and follows a structured, step-by-step process.

Location:
The work will be carried out in TOM House at the Tom of Finland Foundation headquarters in the Echo Park neighborhood.

Duration:
Approximately 2–3 weeks, with an estimated total of 80–120 hours.

Compensation:
The assistant works as a freelancer and invoices the hours worked. The hourly rate is approximately US$25, with an estimated total cost of US$2,000–3,000. The fee is paid from the project’s research expenses.

Requirements:
• The ability to establish and maintain order within a large body of material
• A precise eye for detail (e.g. differences between stamps, text, numbers)
• Confident use of Excel and the ability to follow given classification guidelines
• A high level of care and precision, patience, and the ability to concentrate on technical work for several hours at a time

A suitable candidate for this position is a careful, precise and well-organized person who is accustomed to working with physical materials and structured data. Previous experience in archive, collection, library, or digitization work is an advantage, as is any work requiring accuracy, the management of repetitive tasks, and consistent data entry. This role is particularly well suited to someone who enjoys careful, methodical work and finds satisfaction in creating clarity and order from complex collections.

The person may be, for example, a student or a professional in the museum, archive, library, or collections field, or otherwise experienced in handling fragile materials.

Timing:
During autumn 2026, most likely in October or November.

Application:
Please send a brief application by email, including a short description of your background and relevant experience, and your availability during the proposed period. Please attach your CV.

Deadline:
Your application is welcome as soon as possible, with a final deadline of 30th April 2026.

Selection process:
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a Teams interview over the course of the spring. The final selection will be made by mid-May.

Research Interviewees

Volunteers needed

I am conducting a research study in which I collect memories of what it was like to live as a Gay man in Los Angeles, particularly between the 1950s and the 1980s. It is part of a long-term academic research project on Queer urban histories and everyday life. The aim of the study is to document experiences and places that were important for encounters, movement, and everyday survival in the city at that time, and which have largely remained outside written history.

I am looking for folks who have personal memories of cruising and Queer life in Los Angeles during that period and who would be willing to share these experiences for research purposes.

The interviews are conducted as walking interviews. In practice, this means a calm walk together in places that are meaningful to you, or nearby, if that feels more comfortable. Walking and the surrounding environment often help memories surface that are difficult to access while sitting indoors. The conversation proceeds entirely on your terms. The purpose is not to test your memory or demand precise dates, but to listen to what kinds of memories, sensations, and observations places bring up.

The interviews usually last around 60–120 minutes, depending on how the conversation unfolds and what feels comfortable for you. They are planned to take place in Los Angeles during autumn 2026, and the timing is always agreed individually with each participant.

Participation is completely voluntary. You may stop the interview at any time or decline to answer questions that do not feel right. The interviews strictly follow research ethics. All material is handled confidentially and anonymised. Names, exact locations, or other identifying details will not be published. Only descriptions and quotations that do not allow individual identification are used in publications.

The interview material is used for academic research only. The aim of the research is to make visible experiences and urban histories that have long gone untold. This is not a media project, and the interviews are not published as such.

Enquiries:
Please submit applications or your desire to participate to me.
I am happy to provide further information about the roles and the project. Or if you would like to ask questions before making any decision. 
Please contact me at:
Dr. Kari Silvola
EMAIL

Published: 29th March 2026

Categorised in: Friends of Tom