Curator, Osteoarchaeology

Curator, Osteoarchaeology | Full time | 35 hours | Fixed Term

Salary: | £36,574 to £39,733

Hours: 35 hours per week

Location: National Museums Collection Centre

Duration: Contract until August 2028

National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in Europe with one of the largest and most diverse collections in the world.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, passionate, committed individual to join the Scottish History and Archaeology department.

Benefits of joining us as our Curator, Osteoarchaeology will include:

• Annually alongside your salary of £36,574, National Museums Scotland contributes £10,595.48 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Pension Scheme
• A generous annual leave of 28.5 days – rising to 33.5 after 5 years, plus 8 paid days public holidays
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Free access to national (and international) museums and exhibitions
• Exclusive discounts on both local and national High Street and online retailers
• A range of wellbeing benefits including Employee Assistance Programme 24/7
• Flexible working options such as hybrid working, part time working, paid special leave, career breaks and unpaid leave
• Access to all the above and more from day one of employment.

About the Curator of Osteoarchaeology role:

The Scottish archaeological human remains collections at National Museums Scotland include individuals from more 500 sites, from prehistoric tombs to medieval cemeteries. It is an internationally significant collection for understanding the people of ancient Scotland and Europe. Based in the Scottish History and Archaeology Department, the successful candidate will be responsible for the curation of this collection, working with colleagues across the organisation. The candidate will enable and critically assess research access as well as enhancing and developing the potential of the collection, ensuring accurate information on it is publicly available, and leading its curation to the highest of ethical standards. The role will involve sector-wide collaborative working with a range of stakeholders and partners as part of an ongoing project, working particularly closely with Historic Environment Scotland. This role will support the long-term development of an accessible collections facility which is part of a national heritage science network. This post would be particularly suitable for candidates who are early career and seeking a learning and development opportunity working with osteology collections in a museum context

As a Curator at National Museums Scotland you will:

• Be responsible for the curation of the Scottish archaeological human remains collections, working to achieve best practice in line with National Museums’ policies and procedures and wider sector guidelines. This covers activities relating to acquisitions, loans, collections care, ethical guidance and documentation
• Articulate collection requirements and implications for forward planning
• Enable public and research access to the collections through dealing with enquiries and visitors, and organising study visits / conferences
• Represent National Museums and the collections in the academic and cultural sectors as required, and give professional advice
• Develop and contribute to projects using the collections, such as preparation of material for publications and educational activities
• Develop, through an agreed programme of research and its dissemination, increased specialist knowledge of the collections and the subject to improve understanding of the collections among a wide audience
• Maintain an excellent awareness of current and emerging developments in the curation and research of human remains
• Support the long-term development of an accessible collections facility in collaboration with Historic Environment Scotland

Skills and experience we’re looking for in our Curators:

• A degree in Archaeology, Osteology or other relevant degree (or equivalent demonstrable experience)
• A postgraduate qualification (Masters or PhD) in osteoarchaeology or a related field (or equivalent demonstrable experience)
• Proven relevant experience in museum or similar environment
• Experience of coordinating or undertaking research
• Experience of dealing with public enquiries, visitors and researchers
• Experience of database application to museum or similar collections
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Hiring the right person for the right job is everything to us. We want to encourage you to apply if you think this is the role for you.

Please be sure to view our recruitment pack for this role (available on our careers website: careers.nms.ac.uk) for full details of the position that may help with your application.

The closing date for this role is 22 September 2024. The Selection Event is likely to take place week commencing 7 October 2024.