Collections Assistant (NLHF Engagement)

The Role and the Department

The University Library and Collections is made up of six sections: Collections; Customer Services; Education, Learning and Engagement; Research and Systems; Museums, Galleries and Exhibitions; and Finance and Administration. Staff work flexibly between the sections, enabled by cross-cutting groups.

The Museums, Galleries and Exhibitions team, under the leadership of the Head of Museums, Galleries and Exhibitions, is responsible for world-class museum, art, college and natural science collections supporting their care, curation, and discovery, as well as facilitating public and research access to those collections. Our spaces include the Oriental Museum, Palace Green Library (including the Museum of Archaeology) and Durham Castle Museum. We work with pre-school children, primary and secondary schools, undergraduates, postgraduates, researchers and the wider community both within our venues and through our loans and outreach programmes, as well as increasingly through digital engagement.

The Museum of Archaeology cares for over 40,000 objects spanning 10,000 years of Durham’s history. This post is part of Connecting Communities with Durham’s Archaeological Heritage, a major redevelopment project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Sir James Knott Trust. The two-year project will transform the Museum of Archaeology into an inclusive, sustainable space that improves access to Durham’s 10,000-year story. Through co-curation, digital interpretation and community engagement, the project aims to remove barriers to participation and create opportunities for schools, volunteers and local communities to connect with archaeology in meaningful ways

The Collections Assistant will work in partnership with the Curator of Archaeology and Natural Sciences, collaborating with the Museums, Galleries and Exhibitions team and the Learning and Engagement team to deliver project objectives. The role focuses on increasing access to Durham’s archaeological collections and creating meaningful opportunities for engagement. The postholder will support co-curation workshops with schools, volunteers and community groups, helping to shape displays and interpretation that reflect diverse voices. They will assist in developing and delivering an inclusive programme of activities, including object-handling sessions, family events and creative workshops, working closely with the Learning and Engagement team to ensure alignment with curriculum and community needs. This is an exc iting opportunity to contribute to a landmark project and gain hands-on experience in museum practice.

Based at the Oriental Museum, this role involves regular travel within Durham City, including displays at Palace Green Library and collections stored off-site in the local area. Due to the hands-on nature of the role, there will be limited scope for hybrid working. In addition, because of the nature of the project and its public engagement activities, there may be the requirement for regular weekend and evening working, to ensure successful delivery as of the project. Further information about the role and responsibilities is provided at the end of this job description. The line manager for this post will be the Curator of Archaeology and Natural Sciences.

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