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- Tasks: Assist in managing a fascinating collection and provide excellent customer service to museum visitors.
- Company: Join the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum at the University of Exeter, a leading heritage institution.
- Benefits: Enjoy 39 days leave, flexible working options, and discounts at top retailers.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in heritage and culture while working with a unique moving image collection.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and a passion for moving image culture are essential.
- Other info: Experience a diverse and inclusive environment in a beautiful part of the UK.
Education and Academic Services – Library (The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum)
This new part-time (18.25 hours/0.5FTE) post is available immediately on a permanent basis, as a jobshare with another post. Working hours are: 3.65 hours Wednesday (pm), 7.3 hours Thursday, 7.3 hours Friday.
This role offers the opportunity for hybrid working, although for this type of collections-based and service role, the expectation is that most working hours will be campus-based.
Summary of the role
The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum at the University of Exeter is the leading moving image history museum in the UK. It is both a research and teaching facility and a free, accredited public museum, with two galleries for visitors telling the story of moving pictures (including both cinema and the optical media that preceded it) and their audiences, over the last three centuries. The museum was originally founded from the collection of renowned filmmaker Bill Douglas and is a living, growing collection that currently comprises over 90,000 items.
This role offers an opportunity to work with this fascinating collection and to start a career in heritage and culture. As part of the Heritage Collections Unit in the library, the post will help to deliver the museum’s work in supporting teaching and research at the University and offering the best service to visitors to the museum. The post-holder will enable research by making collections accessible through documentation and digitisation, staffing our reading room and assisting with the operations of the museum, including conservation. Reporting to the museum’s Assistant Curator, you will
- Be able to deliver excellent customer service and work in a team.
- Demonstrate good organisational and time-management skills; possessing the ability to prioritise and to work to deadlines independently and collaboratively.
- Produce accurate and thorough catalogue records that will aid researchers in identifying relevant items within the collection.
- Be interested in working within a Heritage Environment and keen to learn about moving image culture.
- Develop strong digital skills.
Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.
The University of Exeter
We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.
Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today. More than 99 percent of our research is of international quality and 47 percent is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).
We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City
We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from service people.
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment
We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.
Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community.
With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.
Benefits
We offer some fantastic benefits including:
- 39 days leave per year
- -options for flexible working
- -numerous discounts at leading retailers
- -onsite gyms on all of our campus’ and a cycle to work scheme
- sector leading policies around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to six weeks full pay) and a Fertility Treatment Policy
- stunning campus environments in Exeter and Cornwall, in the beautiful South West of England
Further information
Please contact Matt Lee, Assistant Curator at m.c.lee@exeter.ac.uk or (01392) 724321.
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Museum Assistant employer: University of Exeter
Contact Detail:
University of Exeter Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Museum Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the heritage and culture sector, especially those connected to museums. Attend events or workshops where you can meet potential colleagues and learn more about the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for moving image culture! When you get the chance to chat with someone from the museum, share your enthusiasm and any relevant experiences. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares about the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum. Familiarise yourself with its collections and recent exhibitions. This knowledge will impress interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Museum Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start writing, make sure to read the job description thoroughly. It’ll give you a clear idea of what the museum is looking for and help you tailor your application to highlight your relevant skills and experiences.
Show Your Passion for Heritage: Let your enthusiasm for working in a heritage environment shine through! Share any experiences or interests related to moving image culture or museums that can demonstrate your commitment to the role.
Be Organised and Clear: When writing your application, keep it organised and straightforward. Use headings, bullet points, and clear language to make it easy for us to see how you meet the requirements. Remember, clarity is key!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people and helps us keep track of all applications efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Exeter
✨Know Your Museum
Before the interview, dive deep into the history and collections of The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum. Familiarise yourself with its unique items and exhibitions. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you answer questions about how you can contribute to the museum's mission.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Since this role involves delivering excellent customer service, prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully assisted visitors or resolved issues. Highlight your ability to work in a team and how you prioritise visitor satisfaction.
✨Demonstrate Organisational Skills
Be ready to discuss how you manage your time and tasks effectively. Think of specific instances where you had to meet deadlines or juggle multiple responsibilities. This will reassure the interviewers that you can handle the demands of the role.
✨Express Your Passion for Heritage
Convey your enthusiasm for working in a heritage environment and your eagerness to learn about moving image culture. Share any relevant experiences or interests that align with the museum's focus, as this will make you stand out as a candidate who truly cares about the field.