Assistant Musical Instruments Curator (Mirrey Endowment)
Assistant Musical Instruments Curator (Mirrey Endowment)

Assistant Musical Instruments Curator (Mirrey Endowment)

Full-Time 34610 - 39906 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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The University of Edinburgh

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage and catalogue a world-renowned musical instrument collection.
  • Company: Join The University of Edinburgh, a leading research institution with a global impact.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 40 days of annual leave, flexible working options, and a competitive pension scheme.
  • Why this job: Be part of a unique collection and contribute to cultural heritage while enhancing your skills.
  • Qualifications: Experience in curation, strong analytical and communication skills required.
  • Other info: Applications close on 4 September 2025; interviews in late September.

The predicted salary is between 34610 - 39906 £ per year.

Assistant Musical Instruments Curator (Mirrey Endowment)

Join to apply for the Assistant Musical Instruments Curator (Mirrey Endowment) role at The University of Edinburgh

Assistant Musical Instruments Curator (Mirrey Endowment)

Join to apply for the Assistant Musical Instruments Curator (Mirrey Endowment) role at The University of Edinburgh

Job Description

Grade UE06: £34,610-£39,906 per annum

Fixed Term Contract: 36 months

Full time: 35 hours per week

Based at St Cecilia’s Hall and other Heritage Collections sites as required

Job Description

Information Services Group / Research Collections / Collections Research Centre / Library & University Collections

Grade UE06: £34,610-£39,906 per annum

Fixed Term Contract: 36 months

Full time: 35 hours per week

Based at St Cecilia’s Hall and other Heritage Collections sites as required

Start Date: Fourth quarter of 2025

What We Can Offer You

  • A competitive salary of £34,610-£39,906 per annum (UE06)
  • Generous annual leave allowance of 40 days per year (inclusive of festive closure days)
  • Highly competitive defined-benefit pension scheme with a substantial employer contribution
  • A range of flexible working options to help prioritise work/life balance
  • A day of paid leave annually for your chosen volunteering activity
  • Access to excellent online learning and a Staff Scholarship fund
  • Varied staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives , support for staff wellbeing and more

Use our reward calculator to find out the total value of the pay and benefits for this role.

What The Job Involves

We are looking for a knowledgeable and experienced musical instrument curator to work in the Musical Instrument Collection at the University of Edinburgh.

This is a unique opportunity to work with one of the most important musical instrument collections in the world. The key aims are to support the work of the Curator of the Musical Instrument Collection in managing, cataloguing and enabling access to and engagement with the Collection of some 6,000 items.

Click to view a copy of the full job description

A Bit About You

Your skills and attributes for success:

  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
  • Facility with measuring tools, techniques and technologies
  • Analytical skills, in order to assess and bring together both new and existing data
  • Communication skills, for general and specialist audiences
  • Events management skills

Application Procedure

We welcome informal enquiries about the role – to find out more please email Dr Jenny Nex, Curator, Musical Instrument Collection at Jenny.Nex@ed.ac.uk

The University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. If you have the right skills for the job, we want to hear from you. We encourage applications from the right candidates regardless of age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or race.

Prior to any employment commencing candidates will be required to evidence Right to Work in the UK.

On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 4 September 2025.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.

Interviews will be held in-person during week commencing 22 September 2025.

About Us

As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.

About The Team

The Library helps people to grow their knowledge and create new connections through open services, collections and environments, sparking ideas that change the world. Library & University Collections teams (approximately 200 staff) provide leadership and oversight for the University\’s library and museum collections and services, and lead the University\’s transition to Open Scholarship. Collections comprise over 2 million print volumes, 2 million e-books, 200,000 e-journals and 100 kilometres of Heritage Collections which include rare books, archives, artworks and musical instruments. Library & University Collections deliver highly-regarded services to support teaching, learning and research across the University and wider communities. Services and access to collections are provided online and onsite through the Main Library, site libraries, the Centre for Research Collections, award-winning makerspace services and St Cecilia’s Hall Concert Room & Music Museum.

Seniority level

  • Seniority level

    Mid-Senior level

Employment type

  • Employment type

    Full-time

Job function

  • Job function

    Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology

  • Industries

    Research Services

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Assistant Musical Instruments Curator (Mirrey Endowment) employer: The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With a generous annual leave allowance, flexible working options, and access to extensive learning resources, staff are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to one of the world's most significant musical instrument collections at St Cecilia’s Hall.
The University of Edinburgh

Contact Detail:

The University of Edinburgh Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Assistant Musical Instruments Curator (Mirrey Endowment)

Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the University of Edinburgh's Musical Instrument Collection. Understanding its history, significance, and key items will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.

Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the field of musical instrument curation. Attend relevant events or join online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even referrals for the role.

Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience with measuring tools and analytical skills. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've used these skills in previous roles, as they are crucial for this position.

Tip Number 4

Reach out to Dr Jenny Nex, the Curator of the Musical Instrument Collection, for an informal chat. This could give you valuable insights into the role and demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.

We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Musical Instruments Curator (Mirrey Endowment)

Knowledge of musical instruments and their history
Experience in cataloguing collections
Analytical skills for data assessment
Strong communication skills for diverse audiences
Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Familiarity with measuring tools and techniques
Event management skills
Attention to detail
Research skills
Organisational skills
Proficiency in using collection management software
Public engagement and outreach experience

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Assistant Musical Instruments Curator position. Familiarise yourself with the Musical Instrument Collection and the specific skills needed for this role.

Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in curating, cataloguing, and managing collections. Emphasise any analytical skills and communication abilities that align with the job description.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for musical instruments and your understanding of the collection. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to work independently and collaboratively, as well as your events management skills.

Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that all information is clear and concise. A polished application reflects your attention to detail.

How to prepare for a job interview at The University of Edinburgh

Know Your Collection

Familiarise yourself with the Musical Instrument Collection at the University of Edinburgh. Understand its significance, the types of instruments it houses, and any recent exhibitions or events related to the collection. This knowledge will demonstrate your genuine interest and commitment to the role.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Prepare to discuss how you would assess and manage both new and existing data within the collection. Be ready to provide examples from your past experiences where you've successfully analysed data or improved processes, as this is a key requirement for the position.

Highlight Communication Abilities

Since the role involves engaging with both general and specialist audiences, think of specific instances where you've effectively communicated complex information. Practice explaining a musical instrument or its history in a way that is accessible to a layperson, as well as to an expert.

Demonstrate Event Management Skills

Be prepared to discuss any experience you have in organising events, particularly those related to music or cultural heritage. Think about how you can contribute to events at St Cecilia’s Hall and how you would engage the community with the collection.

Assistant Musical Instruments Curator (Mirrey Endowment)
The University of Edinburgh
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