Curator: Island South East Asia

The postholder will undertake research into and make publicly accessible the Island SE Asia collections in support of the Museum Operating Plan and all relevant Museum strategies and developments. The specialist will focus on documenting and digitising the collection and will engage with embassies, communities, museum supporters, and other networks.

Key areas of responsibility:
• To undertake and raise money to support research projects on the Island Southeast Asian collection
• To make the collection and knowledge about it publicly accessible via publication, digitally, through display, and by broadcasting
• To lead on upgrading the documentation of the collection, and support on improving the future display of the collection both on and off-site.
• To work as a team member with colleagues within and beyond the department and do some departmental administrative work.
• To collaborate with other institutions or groups, and to develop or ensure good relations with relevant stakeholders
• To assist in the general day-to-day running of the department, such as assisting with enquiries from the public
• To have or develop a good understanding of museums and relevant best practice
• To change the focus of work as needed in line with museum priorities

About you:
• BA/BSc (or equivalent) in relevant subjects such as South East Asian art history or South East Asian history with a focus on material culture
• Experience of research, fieldwork and publication on Island Southeast Asian topics
• Some experience of working with a collection of Island Southeast Asian material
• Some experience of management issues (people, projects, budgets)
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work as part of a team

About the British Museum:
Founded in 1753, the British Museum’s remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. The Museum is one of the leading visitor attractions and its world-famous collection includes the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, Egyptian mummies, the Admonitions Scroll, and the Amaravati sculptures.

You can view a selection of our impressive collection of prints and drawings in our virtual gallery.

The Museum offers a competitive benefits package including:

• Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service) plus 2.5 privilege days and plus bank holidays.
• Membership of the civil service defined benefit pension scheme (find out here what benefits a civil service pension provides).
• Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions
• Participation in private and public Museum activities, including talks by leading curators from around the world and behind-the-scenes opportunities to learn how museums care for and manage their extraordinary collections.
• Interest-free travel, bicycle, and rental deposit loans
• Professional and personal development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounts on food and gift shop purchases

Additional details:
For more information about this role, please see the job description.
The interviews are expected to take place on 6 November 2025
If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details to [email protected].

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that employees have the right to work in the UK. If you currently do not hold the right to work in the UK, we can only sponsor a limited number of roles that meet eligibility criteria. To offer a sponsorship, the job role you apply needs to be in the list of eligible occupations: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations.

Additionally (with some limited exceptions), the role will need to meet the new minimum salary threshold of £41,700 or the going rate for the job, whichever is the highest. You can find more information here: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job

The British Museum is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from unlawful discrimination or harassment. We value the benefits that a diverse workforce brings to a museum which represents world culture. The Museum is committed to ensuring that no job applicant suffers unlawful discrimination because of any protected characteristics. Our recruitment procedures aim to ensure that individuals are treated because of their relevant knowledge, skills, and experience.

We specifically encourage applications from candidates from ethnic minority groups who are underrepresented within our senior roles.

We offer a flexible way of working scheme that allows our employees to work remotely in a way that suits them and the organisation. We welcome questions and conversations at interview stage about how flexible working could work for you. We would typically see this role as working on site about 3 days a week.

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

Museum Website: https://bmrecruit.ciphr-irecruit.com//templates/CIPHR/jobdetail_8302.aspx