Research Assistant for the Japanese Collection

Location: Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2PH

The Ashmolean Museum is looking for a Research Assistant for the Japanese Collection to join our Department of Eastern Art.

About the role

The Department of Eastern Art’s primary holdings consist of works of art from the Islamic world, South and Southeast Asia, China and Japan, and encompass paintings and prints, sculpture, ceramics, glass, metalwork, lacquer, textiles and works in other materials. The Japanese collection comprises over 12,000 items, including a world-class collection of Japanese export porcelain, paintings, woodblock prints, lacquerware, sword furniture, netsuke and inrō and decorative arts of the Meiji era.

In this role, you will primarily support the Curator of Japanese Art in researching and organising a major Japanese kabuki-themed exhibition and related research project. This will include developing exhibition themes and content, identifying potential loans and engaging with researchers and lenders. You will also undertake tasks relating to the display, interpretation, documentation and digitisation of the Japanese collections, and any other duties that may be required from time to time commensurate with the grade of the job and as requested by the Curator of Japanese art and the Keeper of Eastern Art.

This is a part-time (50% of the full-time equivalent), fixed-term post for 1 year, with a possibility of further extension. This role requires on-site working due to working with physical collections. 

About you

You will have a post-graduate degree in art history, archaeology or museum studies, with a primary focus on Japan and demonstrable specialist knowledge of Japanese woodblock prints and kabuki culture. You will have a knowledge of the Ashmolean’s Japanese collections and strong research skills, with at least one publication in a relevant field. You will be able to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation. You will also have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with excellent written and spoken English and Japanese. 

Previous experience of interpreting and cataloguing Japanese art in a museum context, and of exhibition curation in the field of Japanese art will be helpful. 

How to apply

You will be required to upload your CV and a supporting statement as part of your online application. You supporting statement should list each of the essential and desirable selection criteria, as listed in the job description and explain how you meet each one. CVs alone will not be considered. 

Only applications received online before 12:00 midday (BST) on Tuesday 2 September 2025 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place on Friday 26 September, in person.

Advert information