De Ying Research Associate and Curator, Contemporary Art Projects (3 years, Fixed Term)

The Fitzwilliam Museum: Opening up the past to transform our futures.

As the principal museum of the University of Cambridge and the largest cultural venue in the region, The Fitzwilliam Museum acts as a crucial bridge between the University, the City and the rest of the world, and has an international reputation for extraordinary research, world class exhibitions, award-winning public programmes and significant collections spanning many cultures and centuries. The Hamilton Kerr Institute (HKI) is one of the world's leading centres for teaching and research in conservation and heritage science.

We invite applicants to provide curatorial expertise in the delivery of an ambitious programme of exhibitions, while contributing to and developing research on the collection. Working collaboratively with colleagues across the Museum, the postholder will help deliver contemporary projects in line with institutional processes while bringing creativity and fresh thinking to their implementation.

The role involves supporting and undertaking a broad range of activities. These include liaising with multiple stakeholders, such as living artists, conducting collection and loans research, contributing to administration and drafting interpretive texts. The postholder will be based in and expected to contribute as a member of the Curatorial department but will also work closely with teams across the Museum, including Audience and Brand, Exhibitions, Development, Participation & Learning and Public Programmes.

The Project Curator: Contemporary Art will have the opportunity to contribute to wider research, build partnerships across the University and participate in research networks. We particularly encourage applicants who will seek to bring new perspectives to the collection, including from under-represented audiences and through engagement with collections' diverse histories.

In return, we offer a supportive and inclusive workplace, a generous pension scheme, enhanced family leave, substantial holiday allowance, and a range of employee benefits, including retail discounts.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check and a security check.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click 'Apply' above.  

Interviews for the role will be held: week commencing 19th October 2026

Please quote reference DA50470 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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