Associate Curator (12-month FTC)


Company:	Science Museum Group
Salary:	£29,456 to £29,456 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Manchester, M3 4JP
Job type:	Temporary
Posting date:	28 Sept 2026
Closing date:	12 Oct 2026

Apply for this job

Summary

Want to help shape the future of the Science and Industry Museum's collections?

About us

As part of the Science Museum Group, the Science and Industry Museum is devoted to inspiring our visitors through ideas that change the world, from the Industrial Revolution to today and beyond. It's a story that we're uniquely placed to tell-on the site of the oldest surviving passenger railway station, in the heart of Manchester, the world's first industrial city, today alive with innovative discoveries in science and technology.

It holds internationally significant collections of Manchester science, industry and engineering, as well as extensive library and archive collections. SIM is an internationally recognised museum with a strong sense of place in the heart of Manchester.

About the role

We are seeking an Associate Curator (Decant) to join the Curatorial team at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester. In advance of developing new gallery spaces, we need to decant some of our stored collections from one of our object stores and transport them to the Science and Innovation Park. Working alongside a dedicated project team, the Associate Curator (Decant) will be responsible for assessing current documentation of the collections and enhancing information on the database to support safe and orderly transport of collections.

The decant project will involve hazard survey, documentation enhancement and review of collections located in the historic 1830 Station at SIM. You will be working closely with specialist curators, the Decant Registration and Documentation Officer, and project Conservator to systematically assess and improve documentation of these collections in store at the museum, including objects with hazards. Some objects may not be suitable to remain in the permanent museum collection, so you will be preparing and presenting cases for

Board of Survey, the rigorous process by which the Science Museum Group ethically removes unsuitable objects from the collection.

About you

We're keen to see applications from candidates who have hands-on experience of museum collections, particularly documentation, cataloguing and collections management. You'll be comfortable handling and assessing objects, spotting the physical clues (object numbers, inscriptions, maker's marks) that help identify them on a collections database, and doing careful research across a range of sources to fill in the gaps. An interest in science, technology or engineering will help you get the most out of SIM's collections, and awareness of hazards in collections will be useful from day one.

We'd especially like to hear from people who are at home with detailed, rigorous processes where accuracy really matters. This is fiddly, meticulous work, and you'll need a real eye for detail and the patience to see it through thoroughly. If you've worked as part of a small, focused project team before, that will stand you in good stead, as you'll be working closely with conservators, registrars and specialist curators towards shared deadlines. You'll also need to be a confident communicator: across the contract you'll present groups of cases to Board of Survey, a panel of 20-30 people. So we're looking for someone who can turn detailed research into a clear, articulate case and present it with confidence.

Don't feel you meet all the criteria? We welcome you to apply even if your experience doesn't match directly. With your transferable skills, you could be the right candidate for this, or other opportunities that we have.

Applying

View the Vacancy Information Pack listed under 'Attachments' on the vacancy listing on our website for more details about the role and the application process or click 'Apply Online' to submit an application.

What we offer

Working with a world-leading museum group that offers access to truly unique environments and collections, you'll benefit from the perks listed below, as well as full support for life events such as parental and adoption leave, sickness, and career breaks.

Meaningful work. We're a mission-led organisation where the work you do supports us in Inspiring Futures.

Career growth. We offer enhanced support with personal and professional development.

Work/life balance. We offer 27 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, along with flexible policies which support you and your home life.

Healthcare cash plan. Digital health tools, gym discounts and cashback towards your everyday healthcare costs.

All our colleagues can access an employee assistance programme and other wellbeing support.

Colleague networks. Our colleague-led networks are an informal forum for colleagues to come together to discuss topics of shared interest and lived experience. They create a space for people to exchange ideas, discuss best practice, socialise and build a sense of community.

Enhanced contributory pension. To support you in saving for the future.

Interest-free loans. When you need a little extra cash for life events or home improvements.

Great discounts. Free entry to exhibitions, discounts in our shops and cafes, and access to other museums in the NMDC network.

Open for All is one of the Science Museum Group's five core values and sets out our important aspiration to be a place for everyone. We are working hard to understand our organisation better and to develop a culture that recognises and values different backgrounds, mindsets, skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise. By having greater diversity, we believe that we will be a stronger and better organisation, capable to continue to Inspire Futures.

Apply for this job