VACANCIES

The intern will work closely with the Curator of Islamic art to document and research the Islamic art collection with specific focus on object provenance. S/he will have a desk in the Eastern Art department and will be expected to work mainly with onsite and Oxford resources including office files, internal/external archival resources and libraries. S/he should also be able to navigate online research tools and use them effectively to enhance object documentation.

The Department of Eastern Art is one of the five curatorial departments of the Ashmolean Museum, with internationally renowned collections in areas such as Islamic Near and Middle East, South and South-east Asia, China, Korea and Japan. In addition to several public galleries, the department maintains a Study Room (Jameel Centre) open to the public for the study and enjoyment of its collections.

Over the 8-week period, the intern will also have the opportunity to gain experience in handling and examining original artworks, for which specialist handling training would be provided. Exposure to other Museum departments (e.g., exhibitions, learning, digital content, etc.) and their activities will also be part of this experience, and s/he will have the opportunity to actively contribute to them.

The post will be full-time (36.5 hours), it will be remunerated at £14.50 (Grade 3.4) per hour, depending on experience, and will be expected to start in early July and end by mid-August 2026.

Please note that, if offered the post, the candidate will be asked to provide proof of right-to-work in the UK and proof of identify. Find out more about the University's pre-employment screening procedures at: https://www.jobs.ox.ac.uk/pre-employment-checks

Selection Criteria

• A BA in an area of Middle Eastern studies and demonstrated interest in the field of Islamic art history;
• Interest in pursuing a career in museums or the heritage sector and previous record of active involvement with similar cultural institutions; 
• Working knowledge of Arabic, Persian or Turkish;
• High level of accuracy, confidentiality, and attention to detail;
• Ability to conduct research autonomously and pro-actively, but also to follow guidance and work with others; 
• Good communication and IT skills, including social media;
• Prior knowledge of database systems, especially if museum-based, is a plus.

Diversity

Our staff and students come from all over the world, and we proudly promote a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through diverse groups and champions, as well as a number of family-friendly policies, such as the right to apply for flexible working and support for staff returning from periods of extended absence, for example, shared parental leave.

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment processes are inclusive and accessible. If you require the job description or any other materials in an alternative format, or if you would like to request any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please contact the recruitment team at recruitment@glam.ox.ac.uk.

How to apply

Please submit all applications to Dr Francesca Leoni (francesca.leoni@ashmus.ox.ac.uk) as word or pdf documents. Each application should include a CV and a supporting statement outlining how you meet each of the selection criteria listed above, and the details of two references (see below for further details). CVs alone will not be considered.

Applications from women, black and minority ethnic candidates are especially encouraged.

Only applications received by 12 noon (GMT) on 6 April 2026 can be considered. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview during the week of 20 April 2026.

References

Please give the details of two people who have agreed to provide a reference for you. If you have previously been employed, your referees should be people who have managed you for a considerable period, and at least one of them should be your formal line manager in your most recent job. Otherwise they may be people who have supervised you in a recent college, school, or voluntary experience. It is helpful if you can tell us briefly how each referee knows you (e.g. ‘line manager’, ‘college tutor’). Your referees should not be related to you. 

Your referees will be asked to comment on your suitability for the post and to provide details of the dates of your employment; and of any disciplinary processes which are still considered ‘live’. We will only take up references at offer stage.

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