Curator for Late Neolithic and Bronze Age

The Natural History Museum preserves, researches and presents its extensive collections in a building designed as a total work of art. lt conveys the diversity of nature, the evolution of planet Earth and life, and the related cultural development of mankind, and offers an inspiring meeting place. The earliest collections are over 250 years old. Today, some 30 million objects are under scientific care. Around 1 million guests visit us every year at our two locations Maria-Theresienplatz and Narrenturm.

The collection of Late Neolithic and Bronze Age artefacts is an important part of this collection. The artefacts cover the territory of the former Habsburg Monarchy, whereby in addition to artefacts from Austria, important collections from of nowadays Slovenia, Croatia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Significant finds include artefacts from the pile dwellings at the Mondsee and near Ljubljana, the Early Bronze Age cemeteries from the Traisen Valley, the dagger from Traisental, the dagger from Maiersdorf, the bird chariot from Glasinac and the Late Bronze Age gold finds from Arikogel and Ebreichsdorf.
Networking in the 4th to 2nd millennium BC is a major research desideratum, as are interdisciplinary studies on social structures and transformation processes of a political, cultural, technological, economic or social nature.

Curator for Late Neolithic and Bronze Age (m/f/x)

Tasks and areas of responsibility
Collection:
Curatorial care, management, and augmentation of the Late Neolithic and Bronze Age collection, including borrowing, guest researchers and student supervision
Maintaining international/national scientific and curatorial collaborations

Research:
Planning and realisation of research projects
Associated acquisition of third-party funding
Presentation of research at international specialist conferences and workshops
Publication of results in national and international journals
Interdisciplinary cooperation within the Natural History Museum and with national and international research institutions

Administrative tasks in the Prehistoric Department:
Coordination of research activities on the Late Neolithic and Bronze Age collection

Education and public engagement:
Collaboration in the educational mission of the museum (national and international)
Exhibitions, popular science publications (in coordination with the department for science communication)
Guided tours and lectures for specialist audiences and the general public
Collaboration in the museum’s citizen science activities
Advice for students and information for the general public on the Late Neolithic and Bronze Age collection objects
Co-operation with the media and educational institutions (popular science publications, interviews, counselling, projects etc.) in cooperation with the Communication and Media Department

Required qualifications and skills
Degree (doctorate) in prehistory with specialisation in the Late Neolithic and Bronze Age
Relevant scientific experience (Metal Ages in Central Europe and areas of the former of the former Habsburg Monarchy; focus on the 4th to 2nd millennium BC)
Experience in dealing with archaeological, scientifically relevant collections and working on archaeological finds, especially knowledge of classical (e.g. typology) and modern interdisciplinary methods
International excavation experience and networking in international research
Proof of publications in top international journals, as well as proven research activity (through externally funded projects)
Willingness to work on exhibitions and didactic projects
Excellent knowledge of German, very good knowledge of English (written and spoken)
Ability to work in a team; social skills, flexibility and reliability
Use of modern and interdisciplinary research methods in excavation and evaluation
Good scientific knowledge of Late Neolithic and Bronze Age archaeological sites in Austria and Central and Eastern Europe
Successful acquisition and management of specialised research projects
Experience in the organisation of scientific conferences and workshops
Experience in communicating scientific content to specialist circles, the general public and the media
Good IT skills, experience with GIS-based database systems and other computer applications in archaeology (including digitisation)

We offer
• A responsible, exciting and varied area of responsibility
• Insights into one of the largest museums in Austria
• Flat hierarchies, open communication and a good working atmosphere
• Flexible working time
• An office in the centre of Vienna with good public transport accessibility

Please not the benefits provided by the NHM as employer available at https://jobs.nhm.at/das-nhm-als-arbeitgeber.html.
Depending on your qualifications and experience, the salary is minimum EUR 3,080.- gross salary for 37,5 hours per week, 14 times a year, i.e. EUR 43,120.- pa.

If we have aroused your interest, we look forward to receiving your detailed application by 31 January 2025.
Please note that applications can only be submitted via the NHM application portal at https://jobs.nhm.at/

Your contact person for further questions: Burger-KochSabine