NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

Research Assistant (18th Century Publication Project)

The National Portrait Gallery houses a unique collection of all forms of portraiture of the people who have made or are currently contributing to British history and culture; the collection is the most comprehensive of its kind in the world. With around 2 million visitors each year and a strong national and international presence through touring exhibitions and special projects, the Gallery is one of the country’s most important and popular galleries.

Background

Extra-illustration was the process by which readers and collectors embellished published books with prints, watercolours and other visual material that related thematically to the text. This activity, which most often focussed on books of biographical and topographical subject matter, was hugely popular from the late eighteenth to the mid nineteenth century. Thousands of examples of extra-illustrated books survive in the museums, libraries and private collections of Britain and America. Despite the size, popularity and notoriety of extra-illustration in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the proposed monograph will be the first to focus on this subject. The work, which is provisionally titled Facing the Text: A Social History of Extra-illustration, 1769-1840, is an interdisciplinary study that touches on the fields of art and cultural history, the social history of print collecting and printmaking, the history of reading, and the reception of portraiture and historical biography. The book will be published by the Huntington Library Press with the University of California Press in autumn 2014.

Role Profile

The National Portrait Gallery is seeking to appoint a part-time Research Assistant for a fixed-period of 5 months with a proven interest in eighteenth century and early nineteenth century British art and/or the history of printmaking and collecting to support the Eighteenth-Century Curator in completing a project to research and publish an academic monograph on the history of extra-illustration.

The main tasks will include:

Editorial and research support; Picture research; Proof reading; Digital image editing and; Any other associated administration to assist the Curator in preparing a

manuscript for submission in September 2013.

Depending on the candidate, and the time available, there may also be opportunities to support the Curator on other research and curatorial projects.

Line Management/Supervision18th Century Curator (with the support of the Assistant Curator, 18th and 20th Centuries, as necessary).

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience

A postgraduate qualification in Art History or History, preferably with a focus related to this project. The post would ideally suit those candidates who have completed, or are currently undertaking, an Mphil or PhD and who have an interest in pursuing academic research in either a museum or university setting.

Experience of historical research using primary and secondary materials, as well as on-line resources and library catalogues.

Experience of writing and/or editing to the degree of accuracy required in academic publications.

Some prior experience working in a museum or gallery may be desirable.

Skills and Attributes

Excellent written English and good interpersonal skills, some experience of negotiating best value would be an asset.

Candidates will also need to be able to demonstrate a careful approach and attention to detail.

Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work both as part of a team and independently.

Good computer literacy with a variety of IT packages (especially, Word, Excel and Photoshop), a familiarity with Endnote would also be desirable.

Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and retain excellent attention to detail.

A strong interest in British art, history and portraiture.

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

Research Assistant (18th Century Publication Project)

Details of the post are given below and in the job description. You should take care to show in your application how you can fulfil the requirements of the job.

Period of AppointmentThis post will be fixed for a period of 5 months.

HoursYour contracted hours of work are 16 gross (2 days) per week by arrangement with the curator, working at the National Portrait Gallery or at research libraries as appropriate.

PayThe salary for this post will be pro-rata £20,843 (£8,337 per annum).

Annual LeaveThe annual leave allowance for this post is pro-rata 25 days per annum.

Place of WorkMost of the work is based in the National Portrait Gallery at St Martin’s Place, but all staff are required to work at other locations if necessary. This position may require work at research libraries as appropriate.

Equality The Gallery believes in the employment and advancement of people solely on their ability to do the job required. When recruiting people, we will therefore disregard their gender, marital status, race, age, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, religion and sexual orientation. There will be no unfair discrimination on the basis of disability. If you would like to submit your application in a different format we are happy to allow this. Please contact us (telephone: 020 7306 0055 email: personnel@npg.org.uk) so that we may discuss suitable alternatives.

PensionPension benefits are provided under the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS).

Probation and Trial PeriodAll appointments are subject to satisfactory employment and character references, security clearance and eligibility to work in the UK. There is a probationary period of 1 year for all permanent posts. For fixed term appointments the probationary period may be less than 1 year. The probationary period for this post is 2 months.

Data Protection ActInformation provided by you as part of your application will be used in the recruitment process. Any data about you will be held securely with access restricted to those involved in dealing with your application in the recruitment process. Once this process is completed the data relating to unsuccessful applicants will be stored for a maximum of 6 months and then destroyed. If you are the successful candidate, your application form will be retained and form the basis of your personnel record. Information provided by you on the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form will be used to monitor National Portrait Gallery’s equal opportunities policy and practices. By signing and submitting your completed application form you are giving your consent to your data being stored and processed (if you submit your application by e-mail and the application form is un-signed we will assume that consent by you is given) for the purpose of the recruitment process, equal opportunities monitoring and your personnel record if you are the successful candidate.

Season Tickets

Interest free loans are available for the purchase of a season ticket for travel to work.

Please return your completed application form to:

Personnel at: personnel@npg.org.uk

Or by post:

Caroline WynterHead of Personnel National Portrait Gallery2 St Martin’s PlaceLondonWC2H 0HE

by first post (9.00 am) on Tuesday 9 April, 2013.

We are expecting to hold interviews on Monday 22 April, 2013. Please indicate on the form if you will not be available on this date.

If you are delivering your application by hand, please take it to the reception desk at 39–45 Orange Street.

Due to our funding position we are unable to respond to every application, therefore if you have not had a response to your application by 30 April, 2013, please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Thank you for your time and effort in completing and returning your application.