External Vacancies - Curator Roles at National Museums Scotland

24 January 2019

National Museums Scotland (NMS) is one of the leading museum groups in Europe. With one of the largest and most diverse collections in the world, NMS are responsible for the acquisition, preservation and display of a substantial part of Scotland's cultural, historic and national heritage. NMS are currently recruiting for a number of roles, including 'Principal Curator, Renaissance and Early Modern History' and 'Assistant Curator, Modern and Contemporary History'.

Principal Curator, Renaissance and Early Modern History

This is an exciting opportunity to manage and develop a recently-created section within the Department of Scottish History and Archaeology. The section spans the history and material culture of Scotland from the middle of the 15th-century to the middle of the 18th-century, including the post-Reformation material culture of faith to c.1750. Its collections are of international significance and are strongly represented in the Kingdom of the Scots and Scotland Transformed galleries in the National Museum of Scotland. The post-holder will supply a high level of expertise, experience and research leadership in one or more of the collection areas covered by the section.

As head of section the Principal Curator will have responsibility for developing these collections, particularly in relation to the planned renewal of the Scotland Galleries of the National Museum of Scotland. The successful candidate will lead, manage and participate in the research, interpretation and public programme activities of the section, and be expected to contribute to the Department's input to National Museums Scotland's special exhibition programme. As Principal Curator, you should have acknowledged demonstrable research expertise in a relevant specialist area, and an established reputation in your discipline. The post-holder will also be required to support the Keeper in managing the Department and helping to achieve its aims and ambitions.

Applicants should have a minimum 2:1 degree and postgraduate qualifications in a relevant subject, in addition to proven relevant work experience. An excellent communicator with a proven track record of research and publication, the successful candidate will be organised, methodical, adept at problem solving, a team worker and a strategic thinker. Experience in managing staff and projects, and good ICT skills and also essential. A driving licence is highly desirable. Deadline: 4 February 2019.

Assistant Curator, Modern and Contemporary History

Based at the National Museum of Scotland you will support the work of the Department of Scottish History and Archaeology, primarily within the Modern and Contemporary Section of the Department. This is a temporary post currently based within the National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh. The collections of the Modern and Contemporary History section are also stored and displayed at the National Museum Collection Centre, the National War Museum, Edinburgh and the National Museum of Rural Life, East Kilbride. The ability to travel between these sites is essential.

Duties will include working on the collections, their documentation, storage and display, making them accessible to researchers and other visitors. You will work across the Department towards delivering our strategic priority projects, our loans, exhibitions and digitisation programmes.

You will have a degree in Scottish history or history, and be able to show specialist knowledge and a proven interest in the history and material culture of modern Scotland from 1750 to the present day. Proven experience in paid or unpaid work in museums or a similar environment is essential. You will be able to demonstrate existing specialist knowledge, or the potential to develop specialist knowledge, relevant to the collections and subject areas covered by the Section.

You will be organised and methodical, with good verbal and written communication skills and ICT skills in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook. You should also have experience of managing your own time and workload, working to deadlines and handling multiple priorities. A driving licence is highly desirable. This is a fixed term post from March 2019 until January 2020. Deadline: 1 February 2019.

For further information and guidance on how to apply for both of these roles, please visit the NMS website.