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- Tasks: Assist in curating East Asian collections and engage diverse communities.
- Company: Join the National Museum of Scotland, a leading museum group in Europe.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and free access to museums.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the arts and culture sector while developing your expertise.
- Qualifications: Experience in museums and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Hybrid work environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 31929 - 34549 £ per year.
Assistant Curator Asia: East Asian Collections | Full Time | 35 hours | Temporary 12 Month Contract
Full Time Salary: £31,929 to £34,549 (pay award pending)
Hours: 35 hours per week | Monday - Friday
Location: National Museum of Scotland | Hybrid
National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in Europe with one of the largest and most diverse collections in the world. As an organisation our values are Creative, Inclusive, Collaborative and Forward-thinking. We are looking for enthusiastic, passionate, honest, service-driven individuals to join our team.
Benefits of joining us as our Assistant Curator Asia: East Asian Collections will include:
- Annually alongside your salary of £31,929 to £34,549, National Museums Scotland contributes 28.97% of this 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 an additional 8 paid days public holidays.
- Free access to national (and international) museums and exhibitions
- A range of wellbeing benefits including Employee Assistance Programme 24/7
- Access to all the above and more from day one of employment.
About the Assistant Curator Asia: East Asian Collections role:
The position we are recruiting for is situated within the Global Arts, Cultures and Design department, and the selected candidate will be reporting to the Principal Curator in the Asia Section. The job holder will bring with them knowledge of and enthusiasm for working with collections of material culture from East Asia. They will contribute to, enhance and promote the curatorial competence of National Museums Scotland particularly with regard to Asian cultures. Working within a multidisciplinary organisation and with external stakeholders, the job holder will develop specialist knowledge. The job holder will contribute to the Asia team’s efforts to engage diverse communities with the collections.
As an Assistant Curator Asia: East Asian Collections at National Museums Scotland you will:
- Apply expert knowledge of the subject and collections to create and improve National Museums’ documentation programmes
- Assist with programmes of improvement to collections care to meet National Museums’ best practice
- Assist with the supervision of volunteers supporting curatorial work, to ensure their contribution is focused and recognised
- Contribute to the Learning & Engagement activities of National Museums on the development and delivery of projects to reach a wide variety of audiences
- Commit to good health & safety and access practice and ensure familiarity with National Museums’ health & safety and access policies, procedures and guidelines
Skills and experience we’re looking for in our Assistant Curator Asia: East Asian Collections:
- Excellent ICT skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proven experience in paid or unpaid work in museums or a similar environment
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 relevant attachments for this role (available on our Careers Portal: careers.nms.ac.uk) for full details of the position. The closing date for this role is 01/03/2026 (1 MARCH 2026). The Selection Event is likely to take place 02/03/April (2 APRIL 2026).
Assistant Curator, East Asia in Old Town employer: National Museums Scotland
Contact Detail:
National Museums Scotland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Curator, East Asia in Old Town
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the museum sector, especially those who work with East Asian collections. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to express your enthusiasm for East Asian cultures and collections. Share any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your knowledge and commitment to the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the National Museums Scotland and their current exhibitions. Tailor your answers to reflect their values of creativity, inclusivity, and collaboration. This will show them you’re not just a good fit for the role, but also for their team culture.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the National Museums Scotland team. Good luck, and we can’t wait to see you shine!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Curator, East Asia in Old Town
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for East Asian collections shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the subject and how it aligns with our values at National Museums Scotland.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in museums or similar environments. We love seeing how your skills match the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your expertise in documentation and collections care!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for the Assistant Curator role. Be specific about your experiences and how they relate to the job description. Remember, we’re looking for creativity and collaboration!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our careers portal! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details and can consider you for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at National Museums Scotland
✨Know Your Collections
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of East Asian material culture. Familiarise yourself with the specific collections at National Museums Scotland and think about how you can contribute to their documentation and care. This will show your passion and expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since excellent written and verbal communication skills are key for this role, prepare to discuss your previous experiences where you've effectively communicated complex ideas. Think of examples where you've engaged diverse audiences or collaborated with teams, as this aligns with the museum's values.
✨Engage with Their Values
National Museums Scotland values creativity, inclusivity, collaboration, and forward-thinking. Be ready to share how you embody these values in your work. Prepare examples that demonstrate your enthusiasm for engaging communities and promoting cultural understanding through your curatorial work.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, the team, and the museum's future projects. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if this is the right fit for you. Ask about their current initiatives in community engagement or how they support volunteers.
