Curator: Horology in London

About the role

The British Museum is seeking a Project Curator to join the Horology section in the department of Britain, Europe and Prehistory. You will play a key role in carrying out the specialist conservation and collections care of clocks and watches in one of the finest collections in the world, which exceeds 8,000 objects and includes working clocks in the Sir Harry & Lady Djanogly galleries.

You will also assist with documentation, including the improvement of records and photographs in the collection database relating to conservation work and as part of the Museum's Digitisation and Documentation programme, a major strategic programme supporting the Museum Masterplan and the long-term preservation and accessibility of internationally significant collections.

This fixed term post has been made possible through the generosity of donors of the 2025 British Museum Friends appeal.

About you

You will bring a deep and broad interest in the history of clocks and watches. You will be able to maintain the highest standards of practical conservation, either to preserve objects in store or to keep them in sound running condition for benefit of the public the gallery. You will demonstrate the potential to adapt to working on a diverse range of types: from wristwatches through to large clocks and from ordinary, mass-produced clocks to the finest, unique and historically important examples.

You will be working within a small team and must have a flexible approach to work, as a wide variety of activities can present themselves during a typical day, both at the bench and away from it. In the team, the exchange of ideas is routine and vital, and you be required to work collaboratively, e.g. to form conservation treatment plans, and then be able to carry out the agreed work independently - but always willing to raise and exchange new ideas.

Key areas of responsibility

• To carry out conservation of the horological collection under the supervision of the Horological Curators.
• To care for these objects ensuring appropriate storage, documentation and maintenance of the public galleries.
• To assist with documentation including the improvement of records and photographs in the collection database.
• To support public access to the collection wherever possible.
• To assist in the general day-to-day running of the Horological Students’ Room, workshop, galleries and stores.
• To assist with the daily winding and maintenance of the clocks in the public gallery and around the Museum.
• To assist the team in other duties as required including the annual Dingwall-Beloe lecture.
• To have or develop a good understanding of museums and relevant best practice.
• To adjust focus of work according to the museum priorities.

The Masterplan

The British Museum is undertaking its biggest transformation since its founding nearly 300 years ago. This physical and intellectual transformation includes large scale building and gallery transformation, new ways of connecting with audiences and different ways of working. As we look towards this exciting future, we remain guided by the words of our founder Hans Sloane - who dreamed of a museum connecting all arts and sciences, which would be accessible to everyone, everywhere.

At the British Museum, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do and have designed a benefits package that goes beyond the ordinary. Our full list of benefits can be found here, but we’ve outlined some highlights below:

• Free exhibition entry for you and guests, exclusive private views, ICOM and reciprocal museum access.
• Civil Service Pension Scheme defined benefit with considerable employer contribution.
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays and 2.5 privilege days (and +5 days after 10 years).
• Discounts at onsite catering, Museum shops and local Bloomsbury partners.
• Social and wellbeing perks including Staff parties, social clubs, CSSC sports and leisure, and support from the Civil Service Retirement Fellowship.

• Learning and development through courses, mentoring and Athena as well as support for professional qualifications.

• Interest‑free loans including season ticket, rental deposit and bicycle loans.

Our values drive everything we do, from how we handle our objects to how we work in our team to fostering a culture where everyone feels heard and empowered:

• Care Deeply
• Embrace the Unknown
• Spark Curiosity
• Value Many Voices

These are a core part of how we recruit. Throughout the application, interview and selection process, we look for examples of how candidates demonstrate these behaviours in their own work and experiences. We encourage you to familiarise yourself with our values and reflect them in your application.

If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details to bmrecruit@britishmuseum.org.

Right to Work: We cannot offer sponsorship for this role.

Internal Applicants: We welcome internal applicants regardless of background, department or length of service but encourage you to let your manager know before applying. If you are on a permanent contract and want the fixed-term contract to be treated as a secondment, you will need to obtain your manager’s support before submitting an application.

The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.