Assistant Curator, Egyptian Art
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Salary: $85,000 – $90,000 annually
Contract: Full-time
Application Deadline: May 8, 2026
About the Organisation
The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online.
Since its founding in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. The institution is committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with a staff as diverse as the audiences it engages. Staff members are art lovers who are passionate about working toward a common goal: creating the most dynamic and inspiring art museum in the world.
Core values include respect, inclusivity, collaboration, excellence, and integrity.
Role Overview
As the Assistant Curator, you will contribute to the study, documentation, presentation, and communication of ancient Egyptian art to the broad public. You will produce original research and insights into works of art in the Museum’s permanent collection of Egyptian art.
You will support and create special exhibitions under the discretion of the Curator-in-Charge and senior curators, collaborate with Conservators and Scientists, and contribute to the wider curatorial field through publications and presentations.
The role also serves as a link between the Department of Egyptian Art and the Digital Department, overseeing digital presentation work including TMS, departmental pages, and online publications.
The area of specialization is open, though preference is given to expertise in the culture of Egypt’s first millennium, funerary objects and inscriptions, alongside a strong interest in digital applications to Egyptology.
Key Responsibilities
- Study, document, present, and communicate works of art in the collection
- Undertake new research in area of expertise to further knowledge about the permanent collection
- Take responsibility for a portion of the Egyptian art collection and oversee assigned galleries
- Publish scholarly work and participate in professional meetings and public talks
- Support and develop special exhibitions under senior curatorial guidance
- Oversee the Department’s use of the Museum database (TMS)
- Develop strategies for improving digital presentations in collaboration with Digital and Imaging departments
- Write and adapt scholarly content for multiple audiences (catalogues, labels, blogs, online publications)
- Participate in provenance research
- Propose new acquisitions with strong provenance where appropriate
- Contribute to fundraising, grant writing, and donor relations
- Support interns and fellows
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements & Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Egyptology or equivalent (specialty in first millennium preferred but not required)
- Demonstrated experience originating research in areas of expertise
- Experience working with museum collections and archives
- Strong computer skills, including familiarity with museum databases (TMS preferred), Adobe Suite, and Microsoft Office
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
- Knowledge of ancient Egyptian languages and scripts essential; Arabic beneficial
- Ability to manage multiple projects with shifting priorities
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Location Requirements
At time of employment, employees are expected to be located within commuting distance of the Museum (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania) and able to commute in a single day.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
- Retirement plan with employer match
- Generous paid time off and 13 Museum holidays
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account
- Commuter benefits
- Free financial-planning services
- Professional development support
- Staff discounts and subsidised cafeteria
- Access to Museums Council pass (free admission to partner institutions)
Additional Information
The Metropolitan Museum of Art encourages applications from candidates who may not meet 100% of the listed requirements.
The institution is committed to inclusion and accessibility. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without discrimination across legally protected categories.
