Project Curator: Fire in Europe

Artsjobsonline Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The British Museum invites a Project Curator to lead and direct research into early fire in the Palaeolithic as part of the Fire in Europe project. You will coordinate fieldwork at Breckland sites and guide post-excavation research, working with partners at QMUL and UCL and with European collaborators.

You will publish, present at international conferences, organise workshops, and contribute to public engagement, shaping new approaches to understanding fire evidence in Europe.

Qualifications

• PhD in Palaeolithic archaeology with extensive field knowledge.
• Experience directing Palaeolithic excavations and post excavation research.
• Experience working with Palaeolithic collections in a curatorial environment.

Responsibilities

• Direct excavations at Breckland sites and lead field teams.
• Coordinate post excavation research and specialist investigations into fire evidence.
• Develop research with UK and European partners, including a database of early fire evidence.
• Publish and present project research in peer reviewed journals and at international conferences.
• Organise international workshops and a conference on early fire.
• Develop public engagement initiatives and contribute to teaching and Museum research activities.

Skills

Fieldwork management

Lithic analysis

Project coordination

Academic collaboration

Education

PhD in Palaeolithic archaeology

Tools

Database management

GIS

Job description

About the role

This is an opportunity to join the British Museum as Project Curator, undertaking and directing research into early fire in the Palaeolithic as part of the Fire in Europe project. You will lead fieldwork at key Breckland sites and develop post excavation research, working with project partners at Queen Mary University of London and University College London and with specialists and research colleagues across Europe.

Alongside developing the project's research programme, you will contribute to its academic and public impact through publications, international conferences, workshops and public engagement initiatives. The role combines fieldwork, collections and object research and international collaboration, offering the opportunity to help shape new approaches to understanding evidence for early fire in Europe.

About you

You will have a PhD in Palaeolithic archaeology, with extensive knowledge of the field and significant experience in lithic analysis. You will bring practical experience of directing Palaeolithic excavations, undertaking post excavation research and working with Palaeolithic collections in a curatorial environment.

You will be confident managing field teams, research activity and budgets and working collaboratively with colleagues and specialists in the UK and internationally. You will also have postdoctoral research experience and a publication record in peer reviewed journals, with the ability to communicate your research effectively to both academic and public audiences.

Key areas of responsibility

• Direct excavations at key Breckland sites and manage fieldwork teams
• Coordinate post excavation research and specialist investigations into evidence for fire
• Develop research with UK and European partners, including a database of early fire evidence
• Publish and present project research in peer reviewed journals and at international conferences
• Organise international workshops and a conference on early fire
• Develop public engagement initiatives and contribute to teaching and Museum research activities

The Masterplan

The British Museum is undertaking its biggesttransformationsince its founding nearly 300 years ago. This physical and intellectual transformation includes large scale building and gallery transformation, new ways of connecting with audiences and different ways of working. As we look towards this exciting future, we remain guided by the words of our founder Hans Sloane - who dreamed of a museum connecting all arts and sciences, which would be accessible to everyone, everywhere.