Further details - The Fitzwilliam Museum - University of Cambridge

FURTHER PARTICULARS
The University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is one of the world’s leading Universities, with an
outstanding reputation for academic achievement and research.
Cambridge comprises 31 Colleges and more than 150 departments, faculties,
schools and other institutions plus a central administration.
The Fitzwilliam Museum
The Fitzwilliam Museum is the principal museum of the University of
Cambridge. It is widely regarded as standing in the first rank of museums in
Britain. All of its collections were designated in 1997. There are currently five
curatorial departments of which Applied Arts is one. The others are
Antiquities, coins and Medals, Manuscripts and Printed Books and Paintings,
Drawings and Prints.
The Department of Applied Arts contains some 23,000 objects from Europe,
the Near East and the Far East. It owes its exceptional collections of English
and Continental ceramics (9,780 items) largely to the infectious enthusiasm
of James Whitbread Lee Glaisher (d. 1928) and, for glass to Donald Beves (d.
1961). There are smaller, but choice collections of European arms and
armour (much of it bequeathed by J.S. Henderson in 1933); Limoges
enamels, English and Continental silver, jewellery and objets de vertu;
furniture (including notable English clocks given and bequeathed by J
Prestige); textiles (especially samplers) and fans, mainly from the Messel-
Rosse collection. The sculpture collection ranges from the medieval ivories to
works by contemporary artists. The bequest by Mrs Sherek in 1995 of the
remainder of the Boscawen Collection of European bronzes not only re-unites
the collection but in the opinion of at least one leading expert, transforms the
Museum’s holdings in that area. The Department’s non-Western holdings
include an excellent collection of Islamic rugs, pottery and glass, and from the
Far East, it preserves fine examples of Chinese porcelain, bronzes and jade
and textiles; Japanese ceramics, lacquer, netsuke and sword furniture; and
thanks to the gift of G St G M Gompertz in 1984, an important collection of
Korean ceramics

Post
Summary of Role
Location
Terms and
Conditions
Salary range
Grade
Probation
Working pattern
Hours of work
Limit of tenure
Annual leave
Pension
Miscellaneous
Keeper, Applied Arts
The Keeper is responsible to the Director for all aspects
of the work of the Department of Applied Arts including
the development of long term strategy and the day to day
management of the Department
More detailed information is provided under the Role Description
Fitzwilliam Museum
Trumpington St
Cambridge
CB2 1RB
£49,096 -£52,086
Grade 10
9 months
Five day working week, usually Monday - Friday
37 – 40 hours per week. An hour is usually given for
lunch.
Occasional weekend duties on a rota with other
members of the Keeper staff.
None
In the full University year, 41 days including Public Holidays
and periods when the Museum is closed to the Public.
The University participates in the Universities’
Superannuation Scheme (USS) a nationwide pension
scheme for academic and related staff in universities.
Benefits are related to final salary and contributions are
currently 6.35%. Membership of USS is voluntary and is
open to the successful candidate.
There is no sabbatical entitlement but the Syndicate is
normally sympathetic to receiving applications recommended
by the Director on behalf of the curatorial staff for special
study leave.
The Museum has a no smoking policy

Closing date for
applications
Expected date for
interview/selection
How to apply
12 noon 15 January 2009
Early 2010
Candidates are asked to send their CV with a completed form
PD18, nominate three referees and return these documents
with a covering letter to Linda Brooklyn, The Fitzwilliam
Museum, Trumpington St, Cambridge CB2 1RB or
lmb26@cam.ac.uk
Equal Opportunities Information
The University of Cambridge appoints solely on merit. No applicant for an
appointment in the University, or member of staff once appointed, will be treated less
favourably than another on the grounds of sex (including gender reassignment),
marital or parental status, race, ethnic or national origin, colour, disability (including
HIV status), sexual orientation, religion, age or socio-economic factors.
Information if you have a Disability
The University welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities. Our
recruitment and selection procedures follow best practice and comply with disability
legislation.
The University is committed to ensuring that applicants with disabilities receive fair
treatment throughout the recruitment process. Adjustments will be made, wherever
reasonable to do so, to enable applicants to compete to the best of their ability and, if
successful, to assist them during their employment.
We encourage applicants to declare their disabilities in order that any special
arrangements, particularly for the selection process, can be accommodated.
Applicants or employees can declare a disability at any time.
Applicants wishing to discuss with or inform the University of any special
arrangements connected with their disability can, at any point in the recruitment
process, contact, Linda Brooklyn, who is responsible for recruitment to this position,
on 01223 764840, by email on lmb26@cam.ac.uk or by post to the Fitzwilliam
Museum Trumpington St, Cambridge CB2 1RB.
For additional guidance and information, applicants can contact the University’s
Disability Resource Centre either by telephone on 01223 332301, by email on ucamdisability@lists.cam.ac.uk
or by post to DRC, Keynes House, Trumpington Street,
Cambridge CB4 1QA.
Further Information
There is a range of information which you may find helpful on the University’s
website: www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/. This includes applying for posts, working at the
University, living in Cambridge and details of current vacancies.
Attachment: CHRIS/PD33 Part 2 – Role Description

Role Identification
Faculty /
Department
Position title
Probation period
Role Description
Fitzwilliam Museum Role Code Number
(if any)
Keeper, Applied Arts Date of last revision
(dd/mm/yyyy)
9 months Grade (completed by
Grading & Reward)
51469
27.9.05
Dimensions of the role
The Keeper of a curatorial department is required to be a recognised authority in his or her field. She or
he heads a team of professional curatorial, conservation and technical staff and may also lead a
research team on an externally funded project. He / she is responsible to the Director for the security,
safety, display and storage of the objects in the department in his or her charge. The number of objects
varies from department to department but all include objects of outstanding international significance and
considerable monetary value. He/she has delegated control over departmental budgets for specific
purposes such as research projects, publications, exhibitions, and conservation projects ranging from
£50,000 to £1,500,000. Encouraging potential donors and raising funds for purchases and other
activities is a key part of the role. With other keepers and senior staff the role-holder works with and
advises the Assistant Directors and Director on matters of policy affecting the overall working of the
Museum. He / she collaborates with academic colleagues within the University of Cambridge and
outside, both nationally and internationally, for the purposes of research, teaching and exhibitions.
The Department of Antiquities is responsible for the material art of Ancient Egypt and the Sudan,
Greece, Rome, Cyprus and the Ancient Near East. The collections range from large- and
small-scale sculpture in stone, bronze and terracotta, to pottery, glass, jewellery, textiles,
papyrus, objects of wood and ivory, and engraved seal-stones. Approximately 28,000 objects.
The Department of Applied Arts has one of the most important British collections of European, Islamic
and Oriental ceramics, and European sculpture, particularly bronzes. It also houses extensive
collections of silver, furniture, jewellery, pewter, arms and armour, fans and textiles. Its Oriental
works of art include substantial collections of Chinese jades and snuff bottles, and Japanese
sword furniture. 20,000 (excluding large numbers of sherds).
The Department of Coins and Medals has major collections of Greek, Roman, Oriental, Medieval and
Modern coins, along with notable collections of tokens, paper money, medals and plaquettes, wax
models, seal matrices and seal impressions. These derive from all parts of the world and date
from the second millennium BC to the present day. The collection is of international importance,
its Medieval European coins being the world’s finest collection, and its Ancient Greek coins
ranking fifth after London, Berlin, Paris and New York. 167,000 items: including 35,000 Greek,
20,000 Roman, 34,000 Medieval, 22,000 Oriental, 45,000 Modern, 6,500 Medals.
The Department of Manuscripts and Printed Books houses the finest museum collection of illuminated
manuscripts in the world outside the Vatican Museum, one of the most important collections of
manuscript and printed music in this country, fine printed books, literary autographs and
correspondence. It is also responsible for the Museum’s archives. The collections total upwards
of 132,500 objects: 1,000 illuminated manuscripts and leaves; 1,500 music volumes; 20,000 rare
printed books, over 80,000 literary autographs and correspondence. In addition, there are over
30,000 items in the Museum’s archives.
The Department of Paintings, Drawings and Prints is responsible for one of the most important
collections of British and European paintings, portrait miniatures, drawings and prints in
the country. In addition it looks after American art and fine collections of Japanese prints
and drawings and Persian and Indian miniatures. Departmental collections total upwards
of 219,577: over 200,000 prints; 17,160 drawings, 1513 paintings, 904 miniatures of all
types ie portrait, Indian, Persian.
.
CHRIS/PD33, Version 1.0 Role description – page 1 of 6
10

Role Purpose
The role holder has responsibility for the objects in his or her care and for delivering his or her
department’s contribution towards the aims and goals of the Museum as articulated generally in the
Museum’s mission statement and specifically in successive five-year plans. The main responsibilities
include research and teaching, the management of resources, leadership of working parties and writing
reports, serving on committees within the Museum, the University and at national or international level,
the care and management of collections including recommendations to the Syndicate on purchases and
loans, the provision of access to the collections within the department and through displays, exhibitions,
publications in print and in electronic media and via talks and lectures. S/he also cultivates lenders,
donors, and supporters of the department’s holdings and raises funds for small and large projects.
Main Responsibilities
Key duties and responsibilities % time spent/
frequency
1 Research and Teaching
The role holder is expected to carry out research into the collections
and related fields for publication; direct and take responsibility for
the research of others working on collaborative projects; facilitate the
research of independent scholars and students, liaising with
colleagues in the faculty or faculties appropriate to his / her field;
encourage projects undertaken by members of their department;
teach courses or individual classes in the University and for outside
bodies, examine in this University or act as external examiner in
another; organise academic conferences or day schools; participate
in national and international conferences and colloquia.
2 Management
the role holder develops strategy, sets standards and monitors progress
against agreed targets for the work of the department,, and plans and
supervises departmental projects, determining priorities, allocating tasks to
individual team-members, holding departmental meetings disseminating
information, participating in the recruitment of staff, inducting and
developing them, maintaining motivation and carrying out performance
reviews.
3 Collections Management
the role-holder is responsible for the security and safety of the objects in
his / her department, whether on exhibition, in storage, or in transit
between one place and another. S/he recommends and pursues
acquisitions and loans, checking the provenance against legal and ethical
guidelines set out in the Museums Acquisitions and Disposals Policy and
advising the Director and Syndicate; prepares or supervises the
preparation of exhibitions and displays, including the provision of
interpretative information in various media; organises or oversees the
organisation of storage areas; oversees the documentation of the
collections to national standards; ensures that conservation issues –
remedial or preventative - are discussed and addressed; advises and
oversees the management of loan requests, including acting as courier
overseas.
20 - 40%
n.b. these%
figures vary from
year to year
20 - 25%
n.b. these%
figures vary from
year to year
20 - 30%
n.b. these%
figures vary from
year to year
CHRIS/PD33, Version 1.0 Role description – page 3 of 6

4 Access and Information
It is the role holder’s responsibility to respond to enquiries and ensure that
scholars and visiting public have appropriate access to the collections on
display and in storage and to maintain and provide information about them
and recommends the purchase of additions to the Library. S/he proposes
and puts up exhibitions, usually accompanied by a scholarly catalogue or
guide, and refreshes permanent displays. S/he supports and collaborates
with the Education Department on the creation of learning programmes and
activities for all ages, taking part in them him / herself, eg preparing and
delivering talks or lectures to schools and other groups both in the Museum
and in other venues nationally and internationally, organising and
participating in day schools, events and lectures for the general public.
Contributes to the provision of information in support of the displays in a
variety of forms from panels and labels to guides and virtual exhibitions and
to the training of Museum guides and volunteers to provide information to
visitors.
5 Fundraising
the role holder both independently and in collaboration with the
Development Officer, Director and Assistant Directors, prepares
applications to funding bodies, research councils and individual sponsors
and / or potential donors. Where successful, he / she will often monitor the
fulfilment of the project and the expenditure of the money, preparing
appropriate reports as required by the funders.
6 Contribution to Museum planning and development
the role holder participates in museum committees and working parties, for
example documentation, exhibition planning, publications, IT and
documentation, which may include writing reports. S/he assists the Director
and Assistant Directors in the formulation of Museum policies and strategic
planning and represents the Museum on appropriate national and
international bodies. The role holder is also expected to contribute to
Museum initiatives which raise its profile and contribute to its success in
securing funds.
10 - 15%
n.b. these%
figures vary from
year to year
10 - 15%
n.b. these%
figures vary from
year to year
CHRIS/PD33, Version 1.0 Role description – page 4 of 6
5%

Person profile
Essential knowledge, skills and experience required for role
Education &
qualifications
Specialist
knowledge &
skills
Interpersonal &
communication
skills
Relevant
experience
In addition to holding a first degree in a relevant subject, the successful
candidate is likely to have completed a PhD. Furthermore, they will be
expected to take an informed interest in all of the material in the
Department in addition to being able to demonstrate research and
publication to a high standard in at least one of the areas represented in
the collection.
The role-holder will be a recognised authority in his or her field and
have a doctorate or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience,
expertise and qualifications.
S/he will have an understanding of the whole range of the departmental
collections and be a leading authority in European decorative arts as
well as having extensive knowledge of other branches or aspects of the
Applied Arts collections.
The role holder must have well developed sensory skills of touch and
sight in order to recognise objects and assess their condition, combined
with the ability to exercise judgement on aesthetic or other grounds. .
Computer literacy and an understanding of how IT applications can be
used to improve service and efficiency.
Highly effective communication and influencing skills, both written and
oral, and the ability to develop effective working relationships both with
colleagues and external contacts within a museum/gallery environment.
Ability to work with a wide range of internal and external colleagues in a
professional way with a high degree of cross functional and interdisciplinary
awareness
A mutually supportive and collaborative team working style.
Proven experience of the management of collections of Applied Art e.g.
taking care of them, making them available to scholars and members of
the public, advising on loans and acquisitions, organising temporary
exhibitions, supervising the conservation and display of the permanent
collections, researching and publishing them.
Several years of both curatorial and management experience.
Demonstrable experience of fund raising.
The ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and retain good
attention to detail.
CHRIS/PD33, Version 1.0 Role description – page 5 of 6

Additional
requirements
In so far as other duties permit, the role holder will be encouraged to
offer teaching within the University. The Museum enjoys close ties
with several Faculties and Departments including Archaeology and
Anthropology, Classics, History of Art and Oriental Studies.
Interest and commitment to the work of the Fitzwilliam Museum and to
participate in the promotion of the Museum generally.
CHRIS/PD33, Version 1.0 Role description – page 6 of 6