Operations

JOB PURPOSE

The National Trust for Scotland’s curators are storytellers. The team co-ordinates research, helps to disseminate stories and supports property and central teams with the knowledge, tools and training that they need to share the histories of our places with our visitors and supporters in engaging ways.

The Curator North East provides curatorial support for the National Trust for Scotland’s North East region, excluding Fyvie Castle which is the responsibility of the Project Curator – Reimagining Fyvie Castle. They ensure that the cultural heritage of the properties in the region is well researched, understood and interpreted for the public. They have particular curatorial responsibility for the object collections and interiors at the region’s properties, but will also work with landscapes, gardens and intangible cultural heritage (ICH), facilitating cross-disciplinary research and ensuing integrated interpretation across all aspects of properties.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Undertake curatorial duties for a defined region or sub-regional cluster of properties, supporting regional and property teams to ensure collections, interiors, gardens and landscape elements are well researched, understood, and interpreted for the public. This will include:
o Training and development of colleagues
o Researching collections, interiors, people and places
o Interpreting our properties and their stories in creative and relevant ways, informed by audience feedback and evaluation
o Ensuring collections information is accurate and recorded in a manner consistent with policy and best practice.

• Support the development of and ensure work is consistent with policy and guidance on curatorial work, especially research, interpretation, and management of collections, with particular reference to the Curatorial Vison and Strategy.

• Support the development of Masterplan Projects at properties within the region, ensuring strategic direction is informed by strong understanding of cultural heritage and assets.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Qualifications and Experience

Essential
• Undergraduate degree in a relevant subject (e.g. art/architectural history, Scottish history, social history) or suitable equivalent experience.
• Experience of working with historic collections and period interiors and/or cultural landscapes
• Demonstrable experience of a wide range of curatorial and collections management responsibilities in a museum/gallery or heritage environment.
• Experience of building effective working relationships in complex, changing work environment and matrix-management structures.
• Competent object recognition and analytical skills, with proven ability and willingness to curate a wide range of object types.
• Sound understanding of SPECTRUM documentation standards and the requirements for Museum Accreditation.
• Experience of research from primary sources, producing and sharing research outputs.
• Experience of object cataloguing and use of collections management databases.
• Demonstrable experience of planning audience-focused exhibitions and displays.
• Demonstrable experience of creating and enabling audience-focused interpretive and visitor experience solutions.

Desirable
• A post graduate qualification in relevant subject (e.g. history, heritage interpretation, museum studies)
• Specialist knowledge expertise and a track record of publications in a relevant subject
• Experience of effective leadership in a dynamic environment
• Experience of developing and managing collaborative research projects
• A strong understanding of how to use evaluation and visitor research to inform exhibitions and interpretive developments.

Contract Type: Permanent

Grade: FC07

Salary: £34,914.86 – £43,437.09

Hours: 36 per week

Location: Kirkcaldy Galleries with travel across OnFife venues

Job Reference: ON000637

We are OnFife and we know how valuable creativity is to our communities. Whether we’re helping people learn or making them laugh – we’re here to bring people together and make them feel good. Our spaces are some of Fife’s favourite places – from historic buildings to mobile libraries, award-winning new destinations to much-loved community hubs. Museums, theatres, galleries, libraries, and archives – we offer them all. We’re built on strong values, and those values make us who we are – Fearless, Inviting, Fair and Exciting.

We’re a Real Living Wage employer, and we offer a local government pension scheme, generous holiday allowance and flexible working opportunities. We have a dedicated training scheme offering professional development opportunities and you can also access our employee discount scheme which offers local and national savings and a range of employee benefits. 

The Role

We are looking for a creative and community-focused Curator (Engagement) to join our Cultural Heritage team. In this role you will bring the collections and the stories they hold to life working closely with communities by providing meaningful opportunities for engagement, enjoyment and learning. Engaging with groups and individuals to enable them to contribute to collections, interpretation, displays and exhibitions. 

Typically working Monday – Friday, there may be requirements to work some evenings and weekends to meet business needs.  

You can view the full job spec on our current vacancies page.

About You

We want someone who is enthusiastic, imaginative, and deeply committed to community engagement in a museum context. You will have 1–3 years of relevant experience working in museums, galleries, or the heritage sector specifically working with communities; relevant qualifications and CPD. You will also have demonstrable skills in interpretation & exhibition work, collections management and partnership working. There is a requirement for the postholder to have a PVG. You will have access to transport and a willingness to travel across Fife, alongside flexibility for occasional evening and weekend working when required.  

How to Apply

If you would like to find out more information about this role before applying, please contact Gillian Crumpton for an informal chat. Please email gillian.crumpton@onfife.com to arrange this.     

When you’re ready to apply, please complete our application form and equal opportunities form and return them to the HR team.

The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon on Thursday 1 October.  

Interviews will take place on 22 and 23 October 2026.

OnFife is an equal opportunities employer. 

We are proud to support the Armed Forces community and are committed to the Armed Forces Covenant.

JOB PURPOSE
The Bute Preventive Conservation Internship, supported by the Trust’s Bute Memorial Fund, is an exceptional opportunity for an emerging conservation professional. The Trust is Scotland’s leading conservation charity, with an extensive portfolio of built heritage sites, from castles and country houses to cottages, working historic environments to modern museum facilities. Material culture collections are on open display at more than 50 of these properties, and their care is the responsibility of the Trust’s Collections Conservation and Management and Curatorial Teams. Our emphasis is on a collaborative approach rooted in strategy, preventive conservation principles and practice.
Since 2008, the NTS has supported twelve interns, ten of whom were funded through the Bute Memorial Fund. Through their time at NTS, they have all been given an outstanding opportunity to develop their conservation skills, building on the theory and experience of prior formal training.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
The Bute Preventive Conservation Intern will develop their knowledge, skills and experience under the guidance of the Conservator North East and other Trust staff.
The internship is for a fixed term of 18 months and will follow a work and learning plan mutually agreed between the intern and intern supervisor to include the following opportunities.
• Work closely with the NE Conservator to provide conservation advice, guidance and training to collection care staff to ensure a good level of collection care throughout the region.
• Contribute to all aspects of preventive conservation in an historic house setting, including environmental monitoring and control, condition assessing, integrated pest management, collection management, emergency planning and collection care and cleaning.
• Build on knowledge and skills learnt during formal conservation qualification, expanding real life experience of conservation issues and solutions.
• Experience the process of recognising the need for, and commissioning remedial conservation of collections.
• Attend training and development opportunities internally and externally where offered to develop knowledge, skills and experience in preventive conservation and develop a network of contacts across the sector.
• Contribute to public engagement activities, sharing conservation stories within the Trust and externally to promote both conservation practices and the Bute internship.
• Contribute to regional and national projects including the Fyvie Masterplan Project and the Environmental Monitoring Replacement Project.
• Manage small conservation projects with the support of the Conservator North East to develop project and time management skills.
12 months of the internship will focus on developing skills and experience. The last 6 months of the internship will involve more independent working on agreed projects.

Full-time and Fixed Term for 4 years
Salary £49,792 – £56,426 per annum
Plus generous benefits package
Hybrid / flexible working

About the role

Are you an experienced Building Services Engineer with excellent project management experience looking to work in a unique and rewarding environment?

Join our client-side Estates team, where you will deliver building services projects across an exceptional portfolio of nationally significant gallery buildings and art storage facilities. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys working on complex and varied projects. You will be supporting the care of one of the world’s finest art collections while maintaining high-quality visitor environments.

This is a key technical and delivery role, responsible for leading the development and delivery of building services projects across our estate. You will manage projects from inception through to completion, ensuring that building services systems are reliable, efficient and aligned with operational and conservation requirements.

You’ll work across our portfolio of nationally significant and listed gallery buildings, along with our storage facilities, balancing the challenges of replacing and upgrading complex building services systems within listed buildings, while ensuring the highest standards of environmental control required to care for our world-class collection.

We’re looking for someone who is confident managing projects and working closely with consultants, contractors and senior managers across the organisation to ensure operational requirements are achieved. You’ll have strong technical knowledge of building services, and experience of managing projects to time, budget and quality.

This is an interesting and varied role for someone who enjoys taking ownership and working collaboratively. You’ll have the opportunity to play a central role in ensuring our building services infrastructure is safe, reliable, efficient and fit for the future. Your work will directly support the protection of the national collection, the delivery of our public programme, and our ambitions around sustainability and net zero.

Who we are looking for
To succeed in this role, you will need the following range of knowledge, skills, and experience:
-Degree level qualification in a relevant Building Services Engineering subject.
-Chartered membership of an appropriate professional institute (i.e. CIBSE, IET), or working towards and/or Masters equivalent qualification in a relevant subject. Core competencies as a building services engineer as per CIBSE competence criteria framework.
-Strong technical knowledge of building services systems and infrastructure.
-Experience using CAD and building services design tools, with the ability to review and interpret technical drawings and design information.
-Relevant experience of scoping, briefing and project managing capital works projects for to time, quality and within budget.
-Experience of client-side project management and managing consultancy teams for design and construction services.
-Strong IT skills – competent in use of Microsoft 365 packages (Project, Excel, and Word), and CAFM systems.
-Excellent planning, organisation, and communication skills.
-Health and Safety – strong working knowledge and experience of CDM regulations (particularly client duties), along with general premises related H&S legislation.

It would also be great if you have:
-Experience of public sector procurement.
-Procurement and contract administration experience across various forms of construction contracts (e.g. NEC, SBCC, etc.).
-Experience of working in a museum, gallery or similar environment with critical environmental requirements.
-Experience of working with listed buildings.

Please apply directly via our careers portal. Applications via email will not be accepted.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday, 14 September 2026.

Hours: Full Time, Minimum of 32 Hours per week and must be able to work all shift types, including Nightshifts.
Duration: Permanent
Pay: Hourly rate of £14.05 for day shifts and £15.55 for nightshifts. For clarity, a nightshift is considered to be any hours worked between 7:00pm and 7:00am.

The Royal Yacht Britannia is an award-winning five-star visitor attraction and exclusive events venue in Edinburgh. The 160-strong team on board is committed to delivering the same standards of excellence expected when Britannia was in service.

Company benefits include:

• 6.6 weeks / 33 days pro-rata annual leave

• Staff discount in the Shop, Royal Deck Tearoom, overnight stays aboard Fingal Hotel and at The Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar.

• Uniform provided

• Free staff parking

• Convenient access via public transport links

• Complimentary tickets to Britannia each year of employment

• Up to £1,000 referral bonus through our Recommend a Colleague Scheme

• Up to 1 week / 5 days pro-rata additional long service annual leave

• Options to buy and sell annual leave

• Generous company pension (10% employer contribution, rising to up to 20% with employee contribution)

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Training and development from day one

• Life assurance

• Employee events and celebrations

Security

Our Security Team plays a vital role in maintaining a safe and secure environment for visitors, staff, and the historic vessels in our care. Providing 24/7, year-round protection of the ship and its valuable artefacts, the team is at the heart of our operation. We are currently seeking a dedicated and professional Safety & Security Officer to join our experienced security team.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Maintain the safety and security of visitors, staff, the vessel, and its artefacts through patrols, CCTV monitoring, access control, and incident response.

• Provide excellent customer service by welcoming visitors, assisting with enquiries, and maintaining a professional and approachable presence.

• Respond to emergencies and health & safety matters, including fire alarms, evacuations, first aid duties, and reporting hazards or risks.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues, contractors, and emergency services while maintaining clear and professional communication.

• Ensure compliance with company policies and operational standards, including accurate record-keeping, incident reporting, and maintaining high standards of professionalism and presentation.

Who We’re Looking For

• Customer-focused and approachable, with excellent communication skills and a genuine desire to assist visitors, guests, and colleagues.

• Professional, reliable, and trustworthy, demonstrating integrity, punctuality, and a strong sense of responsibility.

• Alert, observant, and proactive, able to identify security, safety, and operational issues and take appropriate action.

• Calm and confident under pressure, capable of responding effectively to emergencies, incidents, and challenging situations.

• A strong team player with good attention to detail, able to follow procedures, maintain accurate records, and work collaboratively across departments.

• Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) trained

Location

Ocean Terminal, Leith, Edinburgh – you must be able to reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting (essential).

How to Apply:

If you feel you have the personality, skills and experience we are looking for, then we would love to hear from you.

Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining why you feel you would be suitable for the role of Safety & Security Officer, to Murray.Wight@tryb.co.uk

No agencies please.

We appreciate your interest in joining our team. Due to the high volume of applications, successful candidates will be contacted directly by email.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Surgeons’ Hall Museum holds a complex medical human remains collection, one of the largest and most significant of its kind in the world. Much of the collection was acquired before modern standards of consent and documentation, and the records that survive were shaped around pathology, diagnosis and the interests of those who assembled the collection rather than the individuals represented within it.

This two year project will improve what the Museum knows about this collection, including the people in it. Working through historic catalogues, medical case notes, College and Museum minutes and archival records, you will investigate origins, acquisition contexts and life histories of these people, and integrate your findings into the Museum’s Collections Management System. Your research will inform catalogue records, future interpretation and displays, published listings, and the Museum’s preparedness for any future return of collections.

In March 2026, the College’s Trustees approved a new Human Remains in Collections Policy, developed with an expert panel drawn from across the UK and Ireland, committing the Museum to provenance research, transparency, community engagement and readiness for return. This post directly supports the work to put this policy into practice.

You will report to the Curator and be supported by the Museum’s Provenance Research Working Group, which brings together colleagues from collections, conservation, archives, learning and senior leadership, including a specialist Human Remains Conservator. This work involves sustained engagement with sensitive and sometimes distressing material, and supervision, peer support and training are built into the post.

In the final six months you will work on site with three Scottish university medical collections in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, reviewing and enhancing their documentation, and will offer short consultancy visits to smaller Scottish museums holding human remains. The project concludes with a publication and a national conference at Surgeons’ Hall, sharing the methods and findings across the sector.

The role is based in Edinburgh, with travel to partner institutions in the final phase. Reasonable travel and accommodation costs are met by the project.