Based at the National Museum of Scotland this temporary, full-time post will support the work of the Scottish History & Archaeology Department. Working within the Department’s Modern & Contemporary History Section, which is concerned with the material culture and history of Scotland from c.1750 to the present day, your duties will include responsibility for collections; acquisitions; exhibitions; research; publications; and responding to public enquiries. In particular, you will lead on the Department’s programme of strategic contemporary collecting, building the national history collections for future interpretation of late twentieth and twentyfirst century Scotland.
The Modern & Contemporary History section has strengths in cultural, political, social and domestic history, including working life and rural life collections, military history, bagpiping and decorative art collections. You will bring specialist knowledge in late modern and contemporary Scotland which complements and enhances our existing areas of expertise. We welcome applications from potential candidates with any expertise in the modern and contemporary period, and desirable expertise might include the political and wider international dimensions of Scottish history, environmental and community history, Gaelic culture, or a willingness to develop expertise in these areas. You will work with Section colleagues, and curators from other departments, to develop and deliver a programme of contemporary collecting across the range of the collections, with an emphasis on recording and interpreting public life, politics and community in contemporary Scotland.
You must have a degree of minimum 2:1 standard and a post-graduate qualification in History, Art History, Museum Studies, Heritage Management or a cognate field, or equivalent experience. A doctoral degree in a relevant subject area will be an advantage. This is an early to mid-career post and you should have experience of working in a museum or similar environment and be knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the study and communication of Scottish history and culture.
You should be able to demonstrate best practice in collections management. It is expected that you will have experience of undertaking research, responding to public enquiries and of preparing and delivering presentations. Equally essential are ICT skills in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook together with knowledge of collections management databases. You must also be able to demonstrate your ability to plan and organise your workload, manage projects and build relationships within and outside of National Museums Scotland.
Please apply directly via our website, where you will find the Application Form and the Recruitment Pack.
