Curator: Early Chinese Collections
Deadline: 16th March 2015, Midday
The British Museum’s Asia Department are seeking a new Curator: Early Chinese Collections to curate, develop and make widely accessible the Early Chinese Collections, working within the museum’s overall objectives. This is an excellent opportunity to leverage your curatorial career with the most popular tourist attraction in the UK. The scope of the Chinese Collections is extensive and the incumbent will be expected to work broadly, with a primary responsibility in the area of Ancient China from the Neolithic to the Tang Dynasty.
Key areas of responsibility:
- To ensure (in consultation with line manager and Keeper) that the Early Chinese collections are well cared for and used to public benefit.
- To serve as a curatorial team member working on the Chinese collections and in particular to curate the Early Chinese collections;
- To ensure that the collections are appropriately displayed, researched and catalogued, stored, augmented, and made accessible, including through exhibitions on and off site, through the online database, and through lectures and publications; as well as by answering public enquiries.
- To undertake scholarly endeavour in field of specialisation.
- Candidate participates in all general department programmes and is expected to work closely with other department members, as well as with visiting colleagues, especially from China.
Person Specification:
The ideal candidate will be educated to degree level (or equivalent) in archaeology, art history, or East Asian studies, with special emphasis on China. The successful post-holder must also be fluent in reading Chinese and in speaking Mandarin. Experience of presenting in seminars, lectures and gallery talks is also essential. Other essential skills include team working, good organisation, effective time management, project delivery and strong communication skills. A publication in the field of your specialisation (scholarly or for a more general audience) is also essential.
About the British Museum:
Founded in 1753, the British Museum’s remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. With over 6 million visitors in 2013, the Museum is the top visitor attraction in the UK, and its world-famous collection includes the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, and Egyptian mummies.
The Museum is an equal opportunity employer, supports a diverse
workplace and offers a competitive benefits package including:
- Membership of the civil service pension scheme
- Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions
- Participate in private and public Museum activities, including talks by leading curators from around the world and behind-the-scenes opportunities to learn how museums care for and manage their extraordinary collections
- Generous annual leave allowance
- Interest-free season ticket loan
- Child care voucher scheme
- Professional & personal development opportunities
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Discounts on food and gift shop purchases
If you are a positive individual, passionate about the Museum and would like to know more about this exciting opportunity, please visit the website for further information and details on how to apply.