The British Museum holds one of the paramount collections of the material culture of the Islamic world produced from the seventh century to the present day in regions stretching from West Africa to Southeast Asia. It comprises superb collections of Islamic art – including pre-modern works on paper -, ethnography and archaeology, and contemporary art of Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA). The extent and diversity of this collection is highlighted in the Albukhary Gallery of the Islamic world which opened in 2018. The museum is seeking to build a team of colleagues whose interest and expertise will enable them to undertake research into and make these collections publicly accessible. In support of the Museum Operating Plan and relevant Museum strategies, the focus of this position will be the Arab and Ottoman worlds.
Key areas of responsibility:
• To work as a team member with the Curator of Islamic Collections (Persianate Worlds) and colleagues within and beyond the department to develop and deliver a programme of displays in the Albukhary Foundation Gallery of the Islamic World.
• To assist with enquiries from the public in person, in writing, by telephone and via e-mail
• To make the collection, and knowledge about it, publicly accessible via publication, digital, display, broadcast and public lectures
• To develop and deliver research projects on parts of the collections in consultation with the Keeper and Head of Research
• To assist in delivering the Museum’s loan programme
• To create object records and up-grade the documentation of the collection
About you:
• MA/MSc in an aspect of: Islamic art and archaeology; modern and contemporary Middle East art. Specifically of the Arab and Ottoman worlds,
• Experience of research and publication in the areas above; excellent IT skills.
• Knowledge of the Arabic language, spoken and written.
• Experience of working with a collection
• Some experience of management issues (people, projects, budgets)
• Open, effective communicator with good spoken and written English
• Some publications in peer reviewed journals
• Ability to work as part of a team
About the British Museum:
Founded in 1753, the British Museum’s remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. The Museum is one of the leading visitor attractions and its world-famous collection includes the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, Egyptian mummies, the Admonitions Scroll, and the Amaravati sculptures.
The Museum offers a competitive benefits package including:
• Membership of the civil service pension scheme
• Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions
• Participation 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 travel, bicycle and rental deposit loans
• Professional and personal development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounts on food and gift shop purchases
Additional details:
For more information about this role, please see the job description.
If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of in order to support you with your application, please provide details to bmrecruit@britishmuseum.org.
The British Museum is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from unlawful discrimination or harassment. We value the benefits that a diverse workforce brings to a Museum which represents world culture. The Museum is committed to ensuring that no job applicant suffers unlawful discrimination because of any protected characteristics. Our recruitment procedures aim to ensure that individuals are treated fairly because of their relevant knowledge, skills and experience.
We are also currently piloting a flexible way of working that allows our employees to work remotely in a way that suits them and the organisation. We welcome questions and conversations at interview stage and how flexible working could work for you.
The Museum adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.
