Community Participation Assistant (Part Time, Fixed Term)
The Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA) is one of the nine University of Cambridge Museums and Botanic Garden (UCM). It is a sub-Department of the University Department of Social Anthropology and is a key resource for University teaching and research, particularly in collaboration with the Departments of Social Anthropology and Archaeology. Its world-class collections attract visiting researchers from all over the world and it maintains an active programme of temporary exhibitions and loans to major exhibitions within the UK and internationally. MAA's collections are Designated for their national and international importance. For further information about the Museum's staff, collections, and programmes, see www.maa.cam.ac.uk
MAA is seeking to appoint a part-time fixed term Community Participation Assistant. The role will support the Senior Curator in World Archaeology in a project funded by an Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund, entitled From the Caribbean to Cambridge: Reimagining Pre-Columbian Archaeology Collections Together.
The Role Holder is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with the Caribbean diaspora in the East of England, coordinating community-led workshops, and supporting co-curation activities. The Assistant will ensure that participants are actively involved in decision-making processes, contributing to the interpretation and presentation of pre-Columbian Caribbean collections as part of a project. The role aims to promote inclusivity and sustain long-term community engagement with MAA.
The Role Holder will:
Assist in developing and implementing an engagement strategy to involve Caribbean diaspora groups in the East of England in the project.
Assist in coordinating and facilitating workshops where participants will co-curate exhibition content, including object selection, label writing, and storytelling.
Establish and maintain relationships with key community partners, including Caribbean cultural organisations, student associations, and heritage groups in Cambridge and the East of England.
Support the creation of digital and interactive resources, for example, blog posts, QR codes, 3D-scanned artefacts and virtual exhibition materials.
Support the planning and delivery of public programmes such as talks, tours, and panel discussions related to the exhibition.
Work with MAA's Senior Curator in World Archaeology and other museum staff to ensure that community voices are meaningfully integrated into exhibition narratives.
Gather and analyse community feedback to evaluate project impact and refine engagement strategies.
Contribute to reports and funding evaluations, ensuring transparency and accountability for project activities.
Assist in disseminating project learning through blogs, presentations, and sector-wide networking events.
This is a part-time, fixed-term position for 2 years.
Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check.
We particularly welcome applications from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our department.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Informal enquiries about this vacancy may be addressed to Dr Jimena Lobo Guerrero Arenas, Senior Curator in World Archaeology at jl2283@cam.ac.uk For queries regarding the application process, please contact Faculty HR at hr@hsps.cam.ac.uk
If you have any queries regarding the application process please contact HSPS HR at hr@hsps.cam.ac.uk
The closing date for applications is Tuesday 15 July 2025.
Interview will be held in person on Wednesday 23 July 2025.
It is hoped that the successful candidate will take up the appointment in September 2025.
Please quote reference JU46382 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.