Curatorial and Research Traineeship in Textiles and Decorative Arts at Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz
Please note: This job listing has been translated from German.
Application deadline: 19 August 2026
Location: Chemnitz, Saxony, Germany
Contract: Fixed-term, two years
Working arrangement: Full-time or part-time
Salary: €2,357.02 gross per month, according to the German public-sector pay scale
Education required: Recently completed master’s degree or PhD
Specialisation: Textiles, decorative arts and design
The Traineeship
Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz is seeking a Curatorial and Research Trainee specialising in textiles and decorative arts.
The two-year traineeship offers a practice-based introduction to museum work. The successful candidate will expand their academic knowledge, contribute to exhibitions and research projects, and gain experience across different areas of museum practice.
The trainee will work with the Museum’s collections, exhibitions, publications, digital records and public programmes while participating in collaborative projects across the institution.
Responsibilities
The trainee will:
- Assist with the conceptual, organisational and administrative development of exhibitions
- Support the preparation and delivery of Museum exhibitions
- Contribute to the care and scholarly interpretation of the collections
- Support the digitisation of collection materials
- Maintain and update the Museum’s collections database
- Conduct scholarly research
- Write interpretive and academic texts
- Contribute to Museum publications
- Develop and deliver guided tours of collections and exhibitions
- Gain experience across the Museum’s different professional areas
- Participate in interdisciplinary and cross-departmental projects
Qualifications
Applicants must have recently completed a master’s degree or PhD in one of the following fields:
- Art history
- Art studies
- Cultural studies
- Curatorial studies
- Another museum-related discipline
Initial experience using museum collections databases is considered an advantage.
Knowledge and Skills
Applicants should have:
- Very good knowledge of 19th- and 20th-century decorative arts and design
- Strong digital and IT skills
- Excellent spoken and written communication skills
- Very good English
- Strong interpersonal and communication abilities
- A responsible and conscientious approach to work
- The ability to work independently and in a structured way
- The ability to collaborate effectively within a team
- An interest in provenance research
- An interest in anti-discrimination practices and discrimination-sensitive language
- A high level of reliability and integrity
- A professional approach appropriate to employment in the public sector
Salary and Benefits
Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz offers:
- A gross monthly salary of €2,357.02
- A fixed-term contract lasting two years
- Full-time or part-time working options
- 30 days of annual leave
- Flexible working hours and a working-time account
- Opportunities for remote work
- Professional development and further training
- Internal networking through an employee app
- A reliable and family-friendly public-sector employer
- Opportunities to contribute to the future development of Chemnitz
The institution also highlights the city’s affordable housing and access to schools and childcare facilities.
About Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz
Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz is one of Germany’s leading municipal museum organisations.
Its museums and collections include:
- Kunstsammlungen am Theaterplatz and the Carlfriedrich Claus Archive
- Museum Gunzenhauser
- Schloßbergmuseum and Rabenstein Castle
- Henry van de Velde Museum
- Karl Schmidt-Rottluff House
Through its collections, exhibitions, educational activities and public programmes, the institution contributes to the cultural life of Chemnitz and the wider Free State of Saxony.
Equal Opportunities
The City of Chemnitz is committed to equal opportunities, anti-discrimination and workplace diversity. It aims to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of the city’s population.
Applicants with severe disabilities and those recognised as having equivalent status will be given preference where candidates are equally qualified.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the City of Chemnitz’s online recruitment portal by 19 August 2026.
Applications cannot be accepted by email for data protection reasons.
Note: This listing has been translated from German and edited for formatting purposes. To read the original job description and apply, please visit the link below.
