Assistant Curator, Fluid Collections

National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in Europe. With one of the largest and most diverse collections in the world, we are responsible for the acquisition, preservation and display of a substantial part of Scotland’s cultural, historic and national heritage.

Millions of local and international visitors enjoy our four museums each year, and we also introduce our collections to a much wider audience than can physically visit our museums through, touring exhibitions, loans, community engagement, digital programmes and research.

Over the last decade, we have invested over £120 million in our sites and have more than doubled our visitor numbers, with over 3 million people now visiting our four museums. Alongside this, we have continued to transform how we communicate and engage with our audiences. 2019 has seen the completion of our Masterplan for the National Museum of Scotland with the opening of three new galleries dedicated to Ancient Egypt, East Asia and the Art of Ceramics.

At an exciting time for the organisation, National Museums Scotland offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the care and development of the fluid-preserved collections in Zoology.

You will be responsible for assisting with the curation of the fluid preserved collections (Invertebrates and Vertebrates). This is international in scope and includes ~6,000,000 specimens. It is particularly strong in Crustacea, Polychaeta and Mollusca, especially from Northern Atlantic. There is a notable collection of Antarctic octopi. It also contains a significant collection of Reptilia. Important historical collections includes extensive material from the 1902-1904 Scotia expedition led by William Speirs Bruce and the 1872-1876 Challenger expedition. The collection is housed at the National Museums Collection Centre.

We seek an exceptional candidate who can demonstrate and develop specialist knowledge, about the specified collections and enable the widest possible access to them, in line with National Museums’ objectives. The post-holder will also work with the Principal Curator of Invertebrates and the biology curatorial team.

Applicants should have a degree in Biological Sciences, in addition to proven relevant work experience in the museum environment and collection-based research. An excellent communicator with a track record of collection management/curation, understanding of taxonomic and ecological research, and successful participation in public programs. Good ICT skills are also essential. Experience in managing staff and projects, and a driving licence is desirable.