Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead research and enhance collections of Ancient Middle East and Egypt at the British Museum.
- Company: Join the iconic British Museum, a hub for culture and history.
- Benefits: Enjoy free exhibition access, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on how ancient cultures are understood and shared with the public.
- Qualifications: Strong background in history or archaeology, with experience in research and collaboration.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for career growth and community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 36396 - 36396 £ per year.
Join the British Museum’s Middle East department as Curator for Reception of Ancient Middle East and Egypt. This is a role at the heart of researching how these world-defining cultures have been understood, collected and interpreted over time. You will lead research and acquisition activity, upgrade collection documentation, and make the Museum’s collections publicly accessible through publications, displays, digital outputs and broadcasts. Working closely with colleagues across Middle East, Egypt & Sudan, and beyond, you’ll help deliver the Masterplan and contribute to new displays, gallery developments and cross-Museum research ambitions.
We’re looking for a researcher with strong academic grounding in history, archaeology or reception studies relating to the Ancient Middle East and/or Egypt. You’ll bring experience of working with objects, producing publications, and collaborating with colleagues or external partners on research projects. You’re an effective communicator, comfortable balancing research with day-to-day curatorial duties, and able to work independently while contributing actively to departmental and Museum-wide goals. A passion for public engagement and for explaining how ancient cultures have been understood both in the past and the present is essential.
Key areas of responsibility:- Lead research and documentation upgrades for the Ancient Middle East and Egypt & Sudan collections.
- Deliver research projects, working collaboratively with internal colleagues and external partners.
- Build the collection through acquisitions via donation or purchase.
- Engage with future gallery planning and lead the registration and documentation of the Ian Black Collection of political memorabilia.
- Make the collection publicly accessible through publications, digital platforms, displays and broadcast media.
- Represent the Museum as an advocate, contribute to income-generation activity, and support day-to-day departmental operations.
At the British Museum, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we’ve 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.
- Peer support and allyship with five diversity networks for community.
- Learning and development through courses, mentoring and Athena as well as support for professional qualifications.
- Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7 for counselling, wellbeing support and more.
- Eyecare vouchers for VDU tests and contributions toward glasses.
- Civil Service Pension Scheme with a secure, inflation-linked defined benefit.
- 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.
At the British Museum, we are committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process where every applicant has the opportunity to present their genuine strengths and experience in their own voice. While we recognise that AI tools can be helpful when preparing applications, we expect all submissions to accurately reflect everyone’s skills and background, and we may withdraw applications that appear to be generated entirely by AI. During interviews, we want to hear directly from candidates and therefore do not permit the use of AI to generate or support answers, though assistive technologies used as reasonable adjustments are fully welcomed. If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details to us.
The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.
Curator: Reception of Ancient Middle East and Egypt - London employer: THE BRITISH MUSEUM
Contact Detail:
THE BRITISH MUSEUM Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Curator: Reception of Ancient Middle East and Egypt - London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the museum sector, especially those who work with ancient cultures. Attend events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to express your enthusiasm for ancient Middle Eastern and Egyptian cultures. Share your insights and ideas on how to engage the public with these collections – it’ll set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the British Museum’s current projects and exhibitions. Familiarise yourself with their values and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you demonstrate that you’re not just a good fit, but the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, keep an eye on our careers page for any new opportunities that pop up. We’re always looking for passionate individuals to join our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Curator: Reception of Ancient Middle East and Egypt - London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the Ancient Middle East and Egypt shine through. We want to see how much you care about these cultures and how you can engage the public with them.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in history, archaeology, or reception studies. We’re looking for specific examples of your work with objects and publications that relate directly to the role.
Reflect Our Values: Familiarise yourself with our core values: Care Deeply, Embrace the Unknown, Spark Curiosity, and Value Many Voices. We want to see how you embody these in your past experiences and how they align with your approach to curatorial work.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly and allows you to showcase your skills in the format we prefer.
How to prepare for a job interview at THE BRITISH MUSEUM
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the Ancient Middle East and Egypt. Familiarise yourself with key research, recent publications, and any ongoing projects at the British Museum. This will not only show your passion but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working closely with colleagues and external partners, be ready to share examples of past collaborations. Highlight how you’ve successfully worked in teams, contributed to projects, and engaged with diverse voices in your research.
✨Engage with Public Engagement
The British Museum values public engagement, so think about how you can make ancient cultures accessible to a wider audience. Prepare to discuss any previous experience you have in outreach, education, or using digital platforms to share knowledge.
✨Embrace the Museum's Values
Familiarise yourself with the Museum's core values: Care Deeply, Embrace the Unknown, Spark Curiosity, and Value Many Voices. Be prepared to provide examples from your own experiences that reflect these values, as they are crucial to the selection process.