Curator: Reception of Ancient Middle East and Egypt

Job Summary

Join the British Museum’s Middle East department as Curator for Reception of Ancient Middle East and Egypt. This is a role at the heart of researching how these world defining cultures have been understood, collected and interpreted over time.

Job Description

You will lead research and acquisition activity, upgrade collection documentation, and make the Museum's collections publicly accessible through publications, displays, digital outputs and broadcasts. Working closely with colleagues across Middle East, Egypt & Sudan, and beyond, you'll help deliver the Masterplan and contribute to new displays, gallery developments and cross Museum research ambitions.

Job Requirements

We're looking for a researcher with strong academic grounding in history, archaeology or reception studies relating to the Ancient Middle East and/or Egypt. You'll bring experience of working with objects, producing publications, and collaborating with colleagues or external partners on research projects.
You're an effective communicator, comfortable balancing research with day to day curatorial duties, and able to work independently while contributing actively to departmental and Museum wide goals. A passion for public engagement and for explaining how ancient cultures have been understood both in the past and the present is essential.

Job Responsibilities

You will:

Lead research and documentation upgrades for the Ancient Middle East and Egypt & Sudan collections, deliver research projects, working collaboratively with internal colleagues and external partners, build the collection through acquisitions via donation or purchase, engage with future gallery planning, lead the registration and documentation of the Ian Black Collection of political memorabilia, make the collection publicly accessible through publications, digital platforms, displays and broadcast media and represent the Museum as an advocate, contributing to income-generating activity.

Useful Links

Apply now via the British Museum website

Job Overview

Job Title: Curator: Reception of Ancient Middle East and Egypt
Salary: £30k-£40k
Hours: Full time
Artform: Museums
Role: Curation
Contract: Contract
Closing date: Fri, 17 Apr 2026
Location:

London

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Job: Curator: Reception of Ancient Middle East and Egypt

Organisation: The British Museum

Postcode: WC1B 3DG

How to Apply

All applications should be made via the British Museum website.

Contact name: Anna George
Contact email: [email protected]

Apply now

About The British Museum

Founded in 1753, the British Museum was the first national public museum in the world. From the outset it was a museum of the world, for the world, and this idea still lies at the heart of the Museum's mission today. The collection tells the stories of cultures across the world, from the dawn of human history, over two million years ago, to the present.

Find out more