Assistant Curator (Cultural Heritage)

TN United Kingdom; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the National Trust as an Assistant Curator for the Bath Assembly Rooms project. This role involves researching historical topics to develop a new immersive visitor experience. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to bring history to life and engage diverse audiences. Enjoy a flexible working environment with a mix of office and site visits, while contributing to a significant heritage project.

Benefits

Substantial Pension Scheme

Free Entry to National Trust Places

Rental Deposit Loan Scheme

Season Ticket Loan

EV Car Lease Scheme

Perks at Work Discounts

Holiday Entitlement Up to 32 Days

Flexible Working Options

Employee Assistance Programme

Free Parking at Most Trust Locations

Qualifications

• Interest or expertise in 18th and early-19th century history.
• Experience in research for interpretation within heritage or arts environments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research on topics related to the Assembly Rooms.
• Support the creative team in developing narratives for the exhibition.

Skills

Research

Communication

Planning

Education

Postgraduate Qualification

Degree in History

Tools

Collections Management Databases

Specialist Software

Job description

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Client:

National Trust

Location:

Bristol, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

472a0877bc2e

Job Views:

3

Posted:

12.05.2025

Expiry Date:

26.06.2025

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Job Description:

Summary

***INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY***

This Assistant Curator role will support the National Trust’s Bath Assembly Rooms project on a fixed-term, full-time contract until end June 2025. The role focuses on research to develop a new exhibition and immersive visitor experience. We are looking for the right candidate to start as soon as possible.

What it's like to work here

You’ll be part of the Trust’s internal consultancy: a flexible resource of specialist skills and expertise. As part of a multidisciplinary team, including curators, fundraisers, building surveyors, and project managers, you’ll collaborate to make projects happen.

Your work location will be the National Trust office in Abbots Leigh, Bristol, with likely more time spent in Bath. Our hybrid working policy allows a balance of office and home working with site visits. Expect to spend 40–60% of your working week at a National Trust site.

The Bath Assembly Rooms are part of the World Heritage Site of Bath, listed Grade I, and are historically significant for their Georgian entertainment and social history. Owned by the National Trust since 1931, the Trust is now developing a new visitor experience to interpret this historic building and its relevance today.

What you'll be doing

You will join at an exciting stage with the final design of a new immersive visitor experience. Your research will support filming and realization of this vision.

Working with the curatorial team, you will conduct independent research on topics such as people, fashion, food, and furniture of the 1790s, centered around Bath and the Assembly Rooms. Your research will provide material for the creative team to develop narratives on various themes, telling stories of entertainment and the economic and social history of the Rooms and Bath.

Who we're looking for

• Interest or expertise in 18th and early-19th century history, with relevant experience or a degree and postgraduate qualification
• Experience in research for interpretation within heritage or arts environments, with knowledge of research resources and techniques
• Proven ability to write research outputs for diverse audiences and uses
• Enthusiasm for collaborative, creative approaches to storytelling through heritage and collections, relating past to present
• Strong communication and planning skills, with the ability to work efficiently, prioritize, and make decisions based on project needs
• Advanced IT skills, including collections management databases and specialist software

The package

The National Trust promotes an inclusive culture, reflecting community diversity. We offer:

• Substantial pension scheme (up to 10% of salary)
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest, and your children
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme
• Perks at work discounts (gym, shopping, cinema)
• Holiday entitlement up to 32 days plus holiday purchase scheme
• Flexible working options
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust locations