Postdoctoral Research Assistant

Do you want to contribute to a major academic research project? Do you have experience of working entrepreneurially across different archival collections?

About us

Science Museum Group is shortly to commence a major academic research project, “Museums and Industry: Long Histories of Collaboration”. Working with partners in France, Spain, and Norway, as well as with the thinktank Demos, and the University of London Press.

The aim of the project is to explore the impacts of industrial patronage – with a particular focus on the ethical dimensions of this relationship – on European museums of science and industry in both comparative and historical context.

We are now recruiting for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant to join on a fixed-term contract for 18 months, working 35 hours per week.

About the role

As Postdoctoral Research Assistant you will bring knowledge and skills from history/history of science and technology/heritage or museum studies (or similar) to the project.

Under the supervision of the Principle Investigator you will be scoping, selecting, and developing historical case studies examining the impact of industrial patronage on gallery and exhibition development. You will be working with the other members of the research team to identify connections between the different international strands of research and to develop productive lines of archival inquiry within the project’s overall framework.

About you

Joining us you will have Doctoral (or equivalent) level understanding of the history of science and technology, modern history or the museum and heritage sector, and the implications of that history for today and the future.

You will have experience of working entrepreneurially across different archival collections. In addition to experience of designing, organising, and participating in events including as a facilitator: workshops, seminars and conferences, etc.

Applying

View the Vacancy Information Pack listed under ‘Attachments’ on the vacancy listing on our website for more details about the role and the application process, or click ‘Apply Online’ to submit an application.

Don’t feel you meet all of the criteria? At SMG, we are committed to building a workforce that is open for all, and welcome you to apply, even if your experience doesn’t fit perfectly. With your transferable skills, you could be the right candidate for this, or other opportunities that we have.

What we offer

Joining us as an employee, you will have the opportunity to develop your career in a world-class museum group. We know work/life balance and wellbeing is crucial to our colleagues, so we currently offer up to 25 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays; BUPA medical and dental care; employee assistance programme; enhanced contributory pension; enhanced occupational sick, maternity, paternity and adoption leave and career breaks.

‘Open for All’ is one of the Science Museum Group’s five core values and sets out our important aspiration to be a place for everyone. As a national museum group, we have an ability to reach a wide and diverse population of audiences, colleagues and partners through our geography and scale.

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