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Exciting opportunity to shape global understanding of ancient cultures at the British Museum
Overview
Salary
£36396
Location
Bloomsbury, London - Hybrid
Expires
Expires at anytime
Organisation summary
Become part of the esteemed British Museum, renowned for interpreting and preserving world-defining cultures. Join us in our mission to make history accessible and engaging to the public
Role Summary
- Lead research and acquisition activity within the Middle East department
- Upgrade collection documentation for Ancient Middle East and Egypt & Sudan collections
- Make the Museum's collections publicly accessible through various mediums
- Assist in gallery planning and the documentation of significant collections
- Represent the Museum as an advocate and contribute to income-generation activities
Role Requirements
- Strong academic background in history, archaeology or reception studies relating to the Ancient Middle East and/or Egypt
- Experience with objects, producing publications, and collaborating on research projects
- Effective communication skills and balance of research and curatorial duties
- A passion for public engagement and understanding cultural history
Application Process Details
- Benefits include exhibition perks, professional development, wellbeing support and financial assistance schemes
Join the British Museum's Middle East department as Curator for Reception of Ancient Middle East and Egypt. This is a role at the heart of researching how these world-defining cultures have been understood, collected, and interpreted over time. You will lead research and acquisition activity, upgrade collection documentation, and make the Museum's collections publicly accessible through publications, displays, digital outputs, and broadcasts. Working closely with colleagues across Middle East, Egypt & Sudan, and beyond, you'll help deliver the Masterplan and contribute to new displays, gallery developments, and cross-Museum research ambitions.
We're looking for a researcher with strong academic grounding in history, archaeology or reception studies relating to the Ancient Middle East and/or Egypt. You'll bring experience of working with objects, producing publications, and collaborating with colleagues or external partners on research projects. You're an effective communicator, comfortable balancing research with day-to-day curatorial duties, and able to work independently while contributing actively to departmental and Museum-wide goals. A passion for public engagement and for explaining how ancient cultures have been understood both in the past and the present is essential.
Key areas of responsibility include leading research and documentation upgrades for the Ancient Middle East and Egypt & Sudan collections. Deliver research projects, working collaboratively with internal colleagues and external partners. Build the collection through acquisitions via donation or purchase. Engage with future gallery planning and lead the registration and documentation of the Ian Black Collection of political memorabilia. Make the collection publicly accessible through publications, digital platforms, displays, and broadcast media. Represent the Museum as an advocate, contribute to income-generation activity, and support day-to-day departmental operations.
Benefits include free exhibition entry for you and guests, exclusive private views, ICOM and reciprocal museum access. Peer support and allyship with five diversity networks for community. Learning and development through courses, mentoring and Athena as well as support for professional qualifications. Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7 for counselling, wellbeing support and more. Eyecare vouchers for VDU tests and contributions toward glasses. Civil Service Pension Scheme with a secure, inflation-linked defined benefit. Interest-free loans including season ticket, rental deposit and bicycle loans.
