This is an exciting opportunity to play a key part in the next phase of Imperial War Museums’ (IWM) ambitious Digital Futures Strategy. Over the next decade, IWM aims to digitise all relevant film and photographic collections relating to the Second World War, ahead of the conflict’s centenary. With over 4.6 million photographs and 40,000 reels of film, this collection represents nearly half of IWM’s entire film and photographic holdings. Our goal is to make these materials accessible to the widest possible audiences by 2036. As Assistant Curator on the Digital Futures 2 project, you will be part of the Second World War and mid-twentieth century conflict curatorial team—one of four Narrative Teams responsible for developing and interpreting IWM’s collections. You’ll contribute to public programmes, exhibitions, and digital outputs, while supporting access to collections for both internal and external audiences.
What You Will Be Doing
* Preparing and documenting large volumes of photographic material for digitisation.
* Creating and enhancing records in IWM’s Axiell collections management system.
* Cataloguing selected collections to improve accessibility and public engagement.
* Reviewing content for sensitivities and reporting findings.
* Coordinating with Collections Care teams to ensure accountability and quality assurance before and after digitisation.
* Collaborating with colleagues across departments including Visual Resources, Movement and Storage, and Collections Systems.
* Supporting the delivery of content for exhibitions, learning programmes, fundraising, and digital engagement.
* Contributing to IWM’s Collections Development Plan and Digital Futures Strategy.
* Promoting access to collections and sharing expertise with colleagues and the public.
Who We Are Looking For
Essential
* A degree or equivalent experience in History, Visual Culture, Curation, or a related field.
* A strong interest in 20th-century history and the visual culture of the Second World War.
* Understanding of IWM’s mission and the broader museum sector.
* Familiarity with legal, ethical, and professional frameworks in museums.
* Experience in researching and interpreting museum collections.
* Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, and strong communication abilities.
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office and internet tools.
Desirable
* Experience working in a museum or heritage environment.
* Experience handling photographic material.
* Awareness of museum collections management systems, especially Axiell.
Apply Now: Join us in shaping the future of one of the world’s most significant collections of war photography and film. If you’re passionate about history, digital access, and curatorial work, we’d love to hear from you.
For a full list of duties and the person specification which your application will be marked against, please view the Job Description.
Seniority level
* Entry level
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology
Industries
* Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
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