The Shifrin Lalji Somani Islamic Art Internship is an ambitious five-week programme focussing on the Museum’s Islamic holdings.
The recipient will have the unique opportunity to gain insight into this area of the Ashmolean Museum collection, as well as the Eastern Art department more broadly.
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.
Over the 5-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 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 £11.16 – £11.39 per hour (Grade 3.1–3.2), depending on experience, and will be expected to start around mid-July and end by mid-August 2023. 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.
Please submit all applications to Dr Francesca Leoni, email: francesca.leoni@ashmus.ox.ac.uk as Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF documents.
Each application should include a CV and a supporting statement outlining how the candidate meets each of the selection criteria (see below for further details). Please note that CVs (alone) will not be considered.
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 30 March 2023. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview during the week of 17 April 2023.
Applications from women, black and minority ethnic candidates are especially encouraged.
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.
