Special Exhibitions Curator
Grade 6
Full Time
Fixed Term – 6 months to April 2011
£25,751 - £30,747 per annum (pro rata)
The Exhibition:
“From Herakles to Alexander – New discoveries from Royal Aegae”
The Ashmolean Museum
7th April 2011 – 29th August 2011
Introduction
The Ashmolean is preparing an exhibition about the finds made in recent years at modern
Vergina in Greek Macedonia, where a series of spectacular royal tombs were found,
identified as belonging to Philip II and other members of Alexander the Great’s immediate
family. The newly discovered tombs are mostly of women, evidently wealthy and probably
members of the royal family or their court. The finds reflect Macedonia’s position on the
edge of the Greek world and the conservative lifestyle of a royal court far from the emerging
city-states of southern Greece. They also demonstrate Aegae’s prominent role in the region
from 1000-600BC, long before it emerged as the capital of the kingdom of Macedon. Apart
from some items exhibited in New York in 2006, and some spectacular items from the tomb
of Philip, none of these objects have been seen by the public in or outside Greece. The
selected exhibits date from 9th century BC to around 310BC and comprise sculptures in
marble, terracotta and ivory, as well as pottery, metal vessels, jewellery, weapons.
An international conference organised by the University of Oxford will explore the wider
significance of Aegae within the region.
The Role
An experienced specialist in this field of research, you will be working under the general
direction of the Keeper of Antiquities and the Head of Exhibitions. You will be expected to:
 research the exhibition and its objects, collaborating with the Archaeological Museum of
Vergina
 translate and edit any captions and essays (supplied in Greek) for publication in the
catalogue
 assist the Publications Manager with the editing and publication of the catalogue
 liaise with the Director of Vergina Museum and the designer to develop the 3D design of
the exhibition as well as mountmaking
 write labels, texts and graphic panel texts from the material supplied by the
Archaeological Museum of Vergina
 assist in the development of a complementary public programme for Ashmolean visitors,
accompanying the exhibition, linked to the University’s programme of lectures and
seminars
 assist Ashmolean PR and Development in fundraising and publicity
Person Specification
Essential
 Undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in prehistoric and classical Greek
archaeology
 High level of fluency in reading, speaking and writing modern Greek and English
 Fluent use of appropriate software programmes
 Recent experience of gallery/exhibition development in the Ashmolean or a
comparable museum
 Ability to work to deadlines under pressure
 Ability to work in a team, using tact and diplomacy
 Flexibility with personal time schedules
Desirable
 Knowledge of design and conservation issues
 Understanding of mountmaking
Further particulars
This post is offered on a fixed term contract and is subject to the receipt of a satisfactory
medical questionnaire and occupational health clearance as well as the proof of the right to
work in this country.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week. This may include some evening and weekend work.
Salary: Scale 6, £25,751 p.a. rising to £30,747 p.a. Payment is made by credit transfer to a
bank or building society, monthly in arrears.
Duration: This contract is offered for a fixed period through to April 2011.
Annual Leave: The annual holiday entitlement is 38 days a year (including public holidays
and any fixed Museum closure days).
Pension: The post is pensionable and the post holder eligible for membership of the
Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) which is a contributory scheme.
The University has a generous maternity leave scheme and also offers paternity leave to
expectant fathers, and adoption leave. It offers subsidised nursery places, a childminding
network, a holiday playscheme, and tax and National Insurance savings schemes. For
further information see http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/eop/child.
Equal Opportunities Statement
The policy and practice of the University of Oxford require that all staff are afforded equal
opportunities within employment and that entry into employment with the University and
progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the
application of criteria which are related to the duties of each particular post and the relevant
salary structure.
In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. Subject to statutory
provisions, no applicant or member of staff will be treated less favourably than another
because of his or her sex, marital status, sexual orientation, racial group or disability.
Data Protection
All data supplied by applicants will be used only for the purposes of determining their
suitability for the post, and will be held in accordance with the principles of the Data
Protection Act 1998 and the University’s Data Protection Policy.
How to Apply
All applications must be made on an application form and sent by email to
human.resources@ashmus.ox.ac.uk (It is possible, but not preferred, to send applications by
post to The Human Resources Department, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford OX1 2PH.)
The closing date is Wednesday 10th November 2010 at 12 noon.
In the interests of economy we will only contact those candidates who have been shortlisted
for interview and they will be informed by telephone or email. If you do not hear from us
within two weeks of the closing date please assume that you have not been successful on this
occasion.
Please note we are unable to pay travel expenses to interview from outside of the UK.
This post does not meet the minimum requirements for work permit employment: we can
therefore only accept applications from those who can prove their eligibility to work in the
UK.
Useful Web Links
The Ashmolean - http://www.ashmolean.org/
The Ashmolean Vacancies Page - http://www.ashmolean.org/about/vacancies/
The Ashmolean Staff / Contact List - http://www.ashmolean.org/contact/
Oxford University - http://www.ox.ac.uk/
Staff Benefits - http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/ps/staff/benefits/
Oxford Maps & Directions http://www.ox.ac.uk/visitors_friends/maps_and_directions/index.html