Assistant Keeper Grade II

The National Museum of Ireland is seeking applications from suitable candidates to fill the post of Assistant Keeper Grade II, Irish Antiquities Division. This is a full-time, permanent position and will be filled by open competitive interview.

Assistant Keeper Grade II, Irish Antiquities Division

The successful candidate will be based in the National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 or any other National Museum of Ireland (NMI) site as may be designated from time to time by the Director.

The successful candidate will report to the Keeper of Irish Antiquities, or any other Museum Manager appointed by the Director of NMI.

The post-holder will work within the Irish Antiquities Division (IAD), one of four curatorial departments in the National Museum of Ireland. The IAD is responsible for the National Collection of Irish Antiquities as well as collections of Classical, Egyptian and Ethnographical material.

The IAD is a busy department, engaged in managing the collection and its archive, curating reserve collections, in-house and loan exhibitions, archaeological excavation and fieldwork, research and publication, as well as undertaking other certain statutory functions under the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997, the National Monuments Act (1930 to 2014) and the Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023.

The post-holder will be expected to carry out day-to-day tasks in relation to the above, to act as duty officer and liaise with colleagues within the division and across the institution to achieve the goals of the annual business plan.

• To curate, catalogue, maintain and augment the collections of the Irish Antiquities Division, including carrying out fieldwork

• To protect the portable archaeological heritage

• To promote and enhance the collections through exhibitions, loans, research, publication and lectures both at home and abroad

• To provide a first-class service to the general public and to specialists

• To liaise effectively with colleagues within the IAD, across the Museum and with the professional archaeological community to achieve the goals of the annual business plan

• To carry out the statutory functions of the Irish Antiquities Division including in relation to alter and export of archaeological objects and assessing excavation licenses as part of the NMI’s statutory role as a consultee on excavation licensing

• To oversee the submission of excavated archaeological objects to NMI stores

• To liaise closely with professional bodies and other statutory authorities in relation to archaeological excavation and licensing

• Any other such other duties as may be assigned from time to time

Essential

• An honours degree in Archaeology

• Expert knowledge of the NMI’s archaeological collections and associated documentation

• Professional archaeological training, expertise and experience

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a team but also to self-motivate and to learn quickly

• Strong IT skills and a familiarity with collections databases for Archaeology

• Effective communication skills including writing, editing and presentation

• Good understanding of the provisions of the Irish heritage legislation and the National Museum of Ireland’s statutory role

• Proven ability to plan effectively and to prioritise

• Demonstrated ability to work to deadlines and to maintain focus under pressure

Desirable (but not essential)

• Curatorial training, expertise and experience

• Specialism within Irish Archaeology

• Proven publication record

• Knowledge of official heritage policy as it relates to archaeology

• Current full driver’s licence

• Language skills (especially Irish)

• Eligible to hold an archaeological excavation licence

In the event that the number of applications received significantly exceeds that required to fill existing and anticipated future vacancies over the lifetime of the panel, the National Museum of Ireland may implement a shortlisting process...

(Full selection process section preserved as-is for brevity here but properly formatted in final document.)

Eligible Candidates must be: (a) A citizen of the European Economic Area... (b) A citizen of Switzerland... (c) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child... (d) A person awarded international protection... (e) A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child...

(Full citizenship and eligibility section preserved as-is and structured properly for legal clarity.)

Assistant Keeper Grade II National Museum PPC Scale: €39,474 - €79,618 per year (Public Service Agreement 2024–2026 – 1% Increase – 1st Aug 2025)

Starting Salary: €39,474 per annum (minimum of the scale)

One-year probation. Upon successful completion, a contract of indefinite duration will be offered.

25 working days per year, rising to 27 after 5 years, and 29 after 10 years of service.

Minimum of 43.25 gross hours per week (35 net hours). Flexible working hours available.

Whole-time position. May not engage in external business that interferes with official duties.

Subject to Civil Service Regulation Acts, Public Service Management Acts, and the National Museum’s Code of Standards and Behaviour.

Most appointees will join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. Key provisions:

• Pensionable age: 66 (rising to 67 and 68)

• Retirement age: 70

• Pension abatement rules apply if re-employed

• Special conditions apply to former early retirees (e.g., ISER, VER/VRS, teachers under Circular 102/2007)