National Museums Scotland is one of the UK's leading museum services. Operating five museums and one of the largest multidisciplinary collections in the UK, it aims to be a world-class museums service that educates, informs and inspires. A major redevelopment and modernisation programme is currently being implemented across our organisation, including a £46 million redevelopment of the Royal Museum building. This investment will create new displays, enhance learning and public facilities and provide high quality visitor experiences.

You will curate, develop and make accessible our East and Central Asian collections, within the Department of World Cultures. Working with the Principal Curator, your duties will include responsibility for the collections; acquisitions; exhibitions; research; publications; and answering public enquiries. Your key projects over the next few years will include the re-instatement of the Ivy Wu Gallery, following the redevelopment of the Royal Museum, and input into the Royal Museum Project. 

You will have a degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject area such as anthropology or history of art, while a postgraduate qualification (or equivalent) in History of Arts relating to East and Central Asia, Museum Studies or Heritage Management is highly desirable. You must have experience of working in a museum environment, be knowledgeable and enthusiastic about similar collections and be able to demonstrate best practice in collections management. It is expected that you will have some experience of undertaking research, responding to public enquiries and of preparing and delivering presentations. Given the nature of this collection, working proficiency in speaking, reading and writing Japanese is essential. Good ICT skills, including experience of Microsoft Office and collection databases, are required. You must also be able to demonstrate your ability to plan and organise your workload, manage projects and build relationships within and outwith National Museums.

It is anticipated that the selection event will take place in December 2009.

National Museums Scotland is committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer.