Freelance opportunities at Birmingham Museums Trust (BMT) are listed below. For Job opportunities please see our Job Vacancies website.

Researcher/Curator (Victorian Art & Design and the Global)

• 12-month Freelance Contract (1 May 2025 – 30 April 2026)
• Fee: £30,000
• Location: Hybrid / Birmingham Museum sites
• Flexible hours worked across a 12-month period (based on estimated 100 days at a day rate of £300)
• Funded with support from the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art

We are looking for an experienced researcher/curator to explore Birmingham’s collection of 19th-century art and design in its global contexts. Working both independently and as part of a small project team at Birmingham Museums, you will collaborate with communities, artists, and academic partners to support deeper understanding of and engagement with these important collections and shape plans for a new display as part of the phased reopening of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.

Victorian artworks and decorative objects were bound up with the wider world in multiple ways: through their themes, designs and patterns, the materials they were made from, and the ways and places they were exhibited, bought and sold. At Birmingham Museums we believe that by relating Victorian art and design to the wider world we can tell more of the complex, nuanced stories of these rich and fascinating objects.

This 12-month freelance role is funded by a Curatorial Research Grant from the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art.

We are committed to an inclusive workplace that reflects the people of Birmingham. We are open to applications which highlight academic, heritage sector, voluntary, or lived experience as a route to your approach to this role. We particularly encourage applications from those who identify as people of colour, who are underrepresented in our sector.

Further information can be found in the role description, which we recommend you read fully before applying. If you would like an informal chat about the role before applying please email victoria.osborne@birminghammuseums.org.uk.

To apply, please send an up-to-date CV including your full employment history together with a supporting statement (no more than 2 sides A4) explaining why you believe you are a suitable candidate, what particular qualities and experience you have relevant to this role, and what you can bring to the project if appointed.

If you have any additional access needs, please do get in touch with the recruitment team and we will endeavour to support you with alternative application processes. Completed applications should be sent to recruitment@birminghammuseums.org.uk.

Interviews will be taking place on Wednesday 16 April 2025 with Victoria Osborne and Ian Sergeant (Senior Curators, Birmingham Museums) and Kate Nichols (University of Birmingham). In advance of the interview you will receive a copy of the interview questions to prepare, and you will have an opportunity to express any reasonable adjustments you might need.

We are an inclusive employer and recruit on the basis of ability: we are keen to hear from any applicants who feel suitably experienced. 

Any offer of employment will be subject to pre-employment checks being carried out.  

Closing date for applications is 9am on Monday 17 March 2025.