The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here. Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Durham University The Role and the Department In January 1833 Bishop William van Mildert donated 160 volumes to found the University Library, located on Palace Green and in the same year Durham's first university museum opened to the public. Today the University Library and Collections offers spaces, collections, expertise and services supporting education, research, the wider student experience and cultural and educational outreach. Collections and services operate across a wide estate of libraries, archives, museums, galleries and exhibition spaces, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site on Palace Green. Our nationally and internationally recognised collections span early books, archives and manuscripts, museum objects and art, print and electronic materials and include a repository of digitised materials, research outputs and research data. Our users encompass anyone engaging with our collections, services and facilities in person or remotely, this includes university staff, researchers from around the globe, students in higher education from Durham and other universities, school pupils and teachers, Durham's local residents and tourists. We are an ambitious and developing team with a focus on providing the best experience for our students, researchers and the wider community. We are valued partners working with students, professional services and academics across the University, and professionals and organisations regionally, nationally and internationally. 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 seven cross-cutting groups, Collections, Education, Engagement, User Experience, Operations, Research, Staff Development and a Programme and Project Steering Group. 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 collection 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 successful candidate will join the MGE team as an Assistant Curator, reporting to the Curator of Chinese collections, to curate the Huang Kam Chak Yee Collection. The Huang Kam Chak Yee Collection is a recent donation to the Oriental Museum with a particular focus on Chinese women's lives from the 18th century onwards. The successful candidate will take responsibility for documentation, publication, display, interpretation, and access to the collection, ensuring curatorial best practice and meeting Accreditation guidelines. Based at the Oriental Museum, the collections-based nature of the role means that there will be limited scope for hybrid working. Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: • 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year. • No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. • Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. • On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16. • Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). • There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. • The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community • Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. • We offer generous pension schemes. Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here. Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered. Your application should cover the following criteria: Essential Criteria Qualifications/Experience 1. Masters degree or equivalent in Museum Studies or related discipline or equivalent experience. 2. Demonstrable knowledge and experience of museum and gallery collections management and collections care practices. 3. Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues. 4. Experience of implementing museum policies and procedures. 5. Demonstrable knowledge and experience of working with Chinese collections. Skills/Abilities/Knowledge 6. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally. 7. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including Microsoft 365 applications and museum database systems. 8. Committed to continuing professional development. 9. Ability to plan and organise museum events and activities. 10. Ability to solve problems as part of a team and decide on and plan appropriate solutions. 11. Ability to participate in networks to share and discuss good practice and exchange information. 12. Ability to contribute to operational planning activities. Desirable Criteria Demonstrable specialist knowledge of historic Chinese collections Some knowledge of written and spoken Mandarin and the use of traditional Chinese characters. Experienced museum or gallery professional with knowledge and expertise to contribute to delivery and development of exhibitions, events and activities. Experience of supervising/managing a team and/or a line management qualification How to apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails What you are required to submit: • A CV • A covering letter or statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification Contact details If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Dr Qin Cao, Curator of Chinese Collections, would be happy to speak to you. (qin.caodurham.ac.uk) Typical Role Requirements Essential Criteria Service Delivery • Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values. • Ensure that any procedures and expectations that apply throughout the University are reflected in all aspects of the service provided by the team and adapt ways of working where this is not evident. • Undertake object-based research to support exhibitions, displays and publications in the UK and overseas. • Provide the best possible service to staff, students and others who you work with by reviewing and making suggestions to improve the service. • Respond to enquiries from staff, students, stakeholders and the public positively and effectively. • Collect, organise and analyse data and information accurately to provide reports as required. • Support research access to the Huang Kam Chak Yee Collection for both UK and international researchers. • Support delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching as required. Planning and Organisation • Plan and organise operational activities which you are responsible for. • Plan, manage and deliver assigned projects, activities and events relating to the Huang Kam Chak Yee Collection in accordance with agreed objectives. • Ensure necessary health and safety and security procedures are followed when accessing the collections. Team Development • Supervise the project photographer and manage any other people/resources that are assigned to you and provide an initial response to any related HR issues. • Explain systems and procedures to induct new starters into the team and provide specialist advice and guidance including any training. • Contribute to performance review processes by providing feedback on individual and team objectives and expectations and considering any development needs. Communication/Liaison • Develop and improve services by taking part in meetings, working groups and committees. • Liaise with other service areas to ensure the most diverse and accessible delivery and promotion of the Huang Kam Chak Yee Collection project. • Create good working relationships, including internal and external networks which allow you to increase your knowledge and skills, while swapping information with peers. • Act as a key point of contact between the University and internal and external stakeholders, including donors and employers. • Provide high level technical guidance and advice to academic stakeholders to support teaching, research and learning activities relating to the Huang Kam Chak Yee Collection project. • Contribute to internal and external presentations and public relations events promoting the Durham University reputation and encouraging participation and income generation. • Any other reasonable duties. Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. SECONDMENT The post is full time, fixed term for a two year period and may be offered on an internal secondment basis subject to the agreement of the current line manager. When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.