The National Maritime Museum (NMM) is seeking to recruit a curator to join its high-performing Science and Technology group.
The science and technology group takes curatorial responsibility for collections of international significance. These include navigational and astronomical instruments, sea charts, atlases and globes, an oceanography collection, examples of marine engineering, and marine timepieces and clocks. Critical catalogues of a number of these collections have been published by Oxford University Press and the NMM. A selection of the science and technology collections, and others that relate closely to the group’s research, can be found on the NMM’s website: www.nmm.ac.uk/collections.
The group is one of four which together make up the Museum’s research and curatorial department. The work of the department is varied, supporting and driving crucial areas of the Museum’s activities, which include publications, galleries and exhibitions, conferences, and online and learning programmes. Curators are closely involved in the Museum’s planned redevelopment of its permanent displays in the maritime galleries, and also on its other sites: the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, and the Queen’s House. Curators are also occupied with research for an on-going programme of major, international touring exhibitions for the new exhibition hall in the Sammy Ofer Wing: the science and technology curators are currently working on a prestigious exhibition for 2014 on Longitude which builds on research currently being carried out by curators and scholars from the University of Cambridge on an AHRC-funded history of the Board of Longitude.
The position will suit a scholar and/or museum professional with a Ph.D or equivalent qualification in the history of science or technology, who is able to demonstrate an ability to research and publish at a high level, and an enthusiasm for working on objects. The curator will initially be expected to support a wide range of work within the group – for example, helping to integrate exhibitions and curatorial work, reconfiguring the displays in the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, enhancing online catalogues and digital programmes, publishing, helping to develop the Longitude exhibition and tour, researching proposed galleries, and supporting the research centre. In time, the curator will take on responsibility for a collection or collections, depending on their particular expertise and the needs of the Museum.
The successful candidate will be an excellent communicator at all levels, able to champion the work of the Museum to a range of audiences and stakeholders.
Primary objectives
* To research and interpret the science and technology collections to a high standard, helping to promote Museum-wide research, exhibition, online, education and collection development programmes.
* To support the work of the curatorial team in delivering the Museum’s objectives.
Key responsibilities
* Maintain a strong personal research profile, publishing scholarly articles and monographs and contributing to the Museum’s publication programme.
* Research and document the collections, explaining their significance to a range of audiences.
* Develop links with other specialists in the history of science and technology, especially those active in fields related to the Museum’s mission.
* Assist with the management of museum volunteers.
* Contribute to the student research intern programme.
* Help to develop and implement the Museum’s collecting policy for the history of science and technology.
* Work with project teams concerned with special exhibitions and gallery development, supplying relevant subject expertise throughout the Museum.
* Contribute to the Museum’s research programme of conferences, seminars and workshops.
* Help research and deliver on-line resources based on the science and technology collections and related subjects, for a wide range of audiences.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
* A relevant postgraduate degree and/or equivalent museum experience, with a strong record of publications.
* Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
* Initiative and an ability to innovate.
* A flexible, enthusiastic and able scholar in the history of science or technology, interested in developing interdisciplinary approaches to the collections. It is assumed that detailed knowledge of the collections will be developed in the post.
Desirable:
* Teaching experience.
* Experience of working in a museum or heritage institution.
* An interest in using scientific instruments and material culture for research.
Terms and conditions:
The post holder will work a 41 hour week, core hours Monday to Friday 09.00–17.00 with an additional hour to be worked in agreement with line management.
Salary: £27,000–£35,000 per annum
Closing date: 31 October 2011
To apply please email a CV and covering letter to [log in to unmask] or post to Human Resources, National Maritime Museum, Park Row, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NF
Please also take the time to complete an equal opportunities monitoring form.
We regret we are unable to reply to every applicant. If you do not hear from us within three weeks of the closing date please assume you have not been shortlisted.
The Museum holds the 'two ticks' disability symbol and will guarantee an interivew to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria.
