Museum Curator: Bioarchaeology

Project Curator: Nile Valley Bioarchaeology Collection

Egypt & Sudan

Full-time, 41 hours per week (including one hour paid lunch break)

Fixed-term (until 1 June 2028)

On-site

£36,396 per annum

Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on Monday, 1 December 2025

About the role

This is a wonderful opportunity for a museum specialist with experience of working with and handling human remains.

In 2024, the British Museum in Camden received 6.5 million visitors, more than any other museum in the UK. Against this backdrop, the Museum is now undergoing an extraordinary transformation, both intellectual and physical, and there could not be a more meaningful time to join.

The successful candidate will document and make publicly accessible the Nile Valley bioarchaeological collection, improving accessibility via the Museum's digital online platforms. This post will include the recording and preliminary analysis of human skeletal remains recently donated by Sudan's National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums. This role sits in the department of Egypt and Sudan, an international and dynamic team.

Key areas of responsibility

• Lead on upgrading the documentation of the Nile Valley bioarchaeological collection making the collection, and knowledge about it, publicly accessible via digital platforms.
• Support the Museum's public programme including delivering talks, seminars, lectures and more.
• Identify research potential and develop future research projects relating to these collections.
• Contribute to storage projects on- and off-site.
• Collaborate with other institutions or groups, developing and ensuring good relations with relevant stakeholders.

About you

• MSc (or equivalent) in Human osteology, biological anthropology or bioarchaeology.
• Some expertise in human skeletal and dental identification with knowledge of ethical standards associated with the curation of human remains.
• Experience of documentation with some expertise in the standard recording methods used in biological anthropology/bioarchaeology of human remains.
• Some experience of working with relevant collections, museum documentation and museum databases.
• Excellent communication skills.

Benefits

• Be a part of a world-renowned institution, where history, culture, and innovation come together
• 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 days after long service) plus 2.5 privilege days, in addition to bank holidays
• Generous civil service pension scheme (find out more here)
• Complimentary exhibition tickets
• Free entry at paid national museum and gallery exhibitions
• Free and discounted entry to international cultural organisations
• Interest-free travel loans and rental deposit loans
• Employee Assistance Programme for mental health support
• 1 hour paid lunch break
• Subsidised staff canteen
• Discounts on gift shop purchases

Our Values

Our values drive everything we do, from how we handle our objects to how we work in our team to fostering a culture where everyone feels heard and empowered. These are:

• Care Deeply
• Embrace the Unknown
• Spark Curiosity
• Value Many Voices

Additional details

If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details to

The British Museum is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all employees and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from unlawful discrimination or harassment. We value the benefits that a diverse workforce brings to a museum which represents world culture. The Museum is committed to ensuring that no job applicant suffers unlawful discrimination because of any protected characteristics. Our recruitment procedures aim to ensure that individuals are treated in line with their relevant knowledge, skills and experience.

*Unfortunately, for this role we are unable to offer Sponsorship to applicants*

The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.