Assistant Curator/Curator (Maritime Archaeology), ACM

[What the role is]

The National Heritage Board (NHB) serves as the custodian of Singapore’s heritage. It is entrusted with the responsibility of narrating the Singapore story, sharing the Singaporean experience, and imparting the enduring Singapore spirit.

The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) is the only museum in the region dedicated to exploring the rich artistic and cultural heritage of Asia, with particular emphasis on the ancestral cultures of Singaporeans. Established in 1997 and relocated to its current premises by the Singapore River in 2003, the Museum traces its lineage to the Raffles Museum, founded in the mid-19th century. ACM highlights the historical and artistic connections among Asian cultures, as well as between Asia and the wider world.

Singapore’s history as a thriving port city—where people from across the globe converged—is employed as a lens through which the broader history of Asia is examined. The artefacts on display illustrate narratives of trade, cultural exchange, and the dissemination of religions and faiths across the region.

ACM also manages The Peranakan Museum (TPM), which showcases the art and culture of Peranakan communities in Southeast Asia. TPM houses one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of Peranakan culture, reflecting the richness of this unique heritage.

NHB is currently seeking a highly motivated and skilled Assistant Curator/Curator to join its Maritime Archaeology section. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous growth. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to strategic projects, while benefiting from comprehensive training and career development opportunities. By becoming part of our team, you will not only advance your professional journey but also play a vital role in driving the organisation’s long-term success.

[What you will be working on]

Reporting to the Senior Curator (Maritime Archaeology), you will be part of the Curatorial, Education & Interpretation Division of the ACM, under NHB. As an Assistant Curator/Curator, you will play a key role in supporting the maritime archaeology programme, contributing to its research, exhibitions and public engagement initiatives. Your responsibilities will encompass the planning and execution of curatorial projects, development of interpretive content, coordination of educational activities that highlight the significance of maritime heritage, help oversee projects such as conferences and workshops, as well as support heritage policy initiatives, surveys and site monitoring. In this capacity, you will be expected to uphold the highest standards of scholarship and professional practice, while advancing the Museum’s mission to preserve and promote maritime cultural heritage.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Acquisitions: help enhance the maritime heritage collection through artefact acquisitions, donor cultivation, and institutional loans.

Collection Specialisations: drive research and meticulous analysis of the maritime archaeological collection, generating insights into past cultures.

Research, Publication, and Scholarship: produce catalogues, articles and digital content that advance the Museum’s academic and public profile.

Curation, Interpretation, and Exhibition Development: collaborate across teams to design and deliver engaging exhibitions and interpretive strategies for galleries and online platforms.

Stakeholder Engagement: build relationships with patrons, trustees, academics and partners; develop outreach programmes with schools and the Ministry of Education (MOE); guide volunteers and community partners.

[What we are looking for]

An ideal candidate should possess the following:

Acquisitions

• Execute fundamental acquisition tasks, including researching potential acquisitions.
• Undertake straightforward acquisitions and provide support on complex acquisitions, under supervision.
• Cultivate relationships with donors, collectors, sellers and other stakeholders under the guidance of senior curators.

Collections Specialisations

• Assess artefacts with respect to material, technique, stylistic characteristics and other technical attributes.
• Interpret artefacts within their historical and socio-cultural contexts.
• Write short collections-based catalogue entries for the collection management system.

Research, Publication, and Scholarship

• Assist senior curators or the curatorial team with complex research projects.
• Conduct independent research and analysis, including the development of research plans and methodologies, and the synthesis of data.
• Produce short-form scholarly articles and deliver talks for institutional audiences.

Curation, Interpretation, and Exhibition Development

• Select objects that effectively communicate or addresses various purposes such as exhibition themes, media and educational objectives.
• Undertake research on selected artefacts and contribute to exhibition design briefs.
• Collaborate with exhibition designers and other vendors/service providers and support the engagement of internal and external stakeholders.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Assist in the training of volunteers and docents on exhibition content.
• Identify relevant stakeholders and assess their needs and expectations under supervision.
• Build awareness of local collectors’ networks and assist in identifying potential loans.
• Support the management of key aspects of loan processes.

Work Experiences and Knowledge

• Preferably a minimum of two years working in a museum environment or a comparable educational or research institution. Prior experience working with archaeological material will be considered an advantage.
• Background in archaeology, applied arts or art history. Familiarity with maritime archaeology or ceramics is desirable. Strong research and writing skills in English are required; proficiency in Asian and/or European languages would be an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team. Clear and timely communication skills are essential. Candidates should be collaborative, solutions‑oriented, emotionally intelligent and motivated to achieve both personal and professional goals.

Other Traits

• Highly organised, detail‑oriented and capable of managing multiple priorities effectively.
• The position follows regular working hours, with a strong emphasis on meeting tasks and deliverables. Flexibility is required, as occasional travel and irregular hours may be necessary when supporting special projects or activities.

The successful candidate will be offered a 2-year contract in the first instance.