Senior Collections Assistant (Archaeology) [Temporary Cover]

The Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA) is one of the nine University of Cambridge Museums and Botanic Garden (UCM). It is a sub-Department of the University Department of Social Anthropology and is a key resource for University teaching and research, particularly in collaboration with the Departments of Social Anthropology and Archaeology. Its world-class collections attract visiting researchers from all over the world and it maintains an active programme of temporary exhibitions and loans to major exhibitions within the UK and internationally. MAA's collections are Designated for their national and international importance. For further information about the Museum's staff, collections, and programmes, see http://www.maa.cam.ac.uk/

MAA is seeking to appoint a Senior Collections Assistant, as secondment cover, to support the care of and access to archaeological collections. This is a fixed-term contract backfilling staff who are involved in a project.

The main purpose of the role is to support the collections management and collections care work of the Collections Manager for Archaeology and work of the Archaeology Section and other departments more broadly by providing assistance with temporary and permanent exhibitions; assisting with local and international loans; providing access to the collections for researchers and source communities; supervising contractors, TES staff, volunteers and work placement students to support the activity of the Archaeology area at MAA; participating in museum working groups; contributing to museum reporting and policies; assisting with outreach activities; improving collections knowledge and undertaking research on MAA's collections.

The Museum's collections are considered amongst the most important in their fields and are designated for their national and international importance. The archaeological collections range from early hominid tools from Olduvai Gorge, through Palaeolithic and later prehistoric collections from most regions of the inhabited world, a very strong collection of Peruvian ceramics and textiles, and to artefacts representing all phases of occupation in Britain, particularly from Cambridgeshire and Cambridge itself.

As well as being a public museum welcoming over c.100,000 visitors per annum, the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is a vital base for teaching and research. The Museum welcomes research visitors from within the University of Cambridge as well as visiting researchers from all parts of the UK and throughout the world.  The Archaeology teaching collection is a particular asset to the Museum allowing students to encounter and handle artefacts and materials from across human history. The Museum has an active programme of temporary exhibitions and also lends objects to external institutions both nationally and internationally.

The successful candidate will have relevant experience of working with museum collections, particularly archaeological material. Experience of inter-museum loans would be highly desirable. They will have very good IT skills including spreadsheets and basic word processing and experience with collections management systems. Excellent attention to detail and very good written and verbal communication skills are essential as well as excellent organisational skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Fixed-term temporary cover until 31 March 2025.

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

Applications close Sunday 15 September 2024.

Interviews will take place on Friday 04 October 2024.

Any enquiries about this vacancy contact Eleanor Wilkinson, Acting Collections Manager in Archaeology at ew376@cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference JU43082 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

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