Demonstrator Vacancies at Cultural Venues: Paid Positions for Early PhD Students

by | Aug 4, 2015

Manchester Museum, Whitworth Art Gallery and John Rylands Library are looking to recruit first or second year PhD students to deliver educational sessions for their respective secondary and post-16 programmes. The aim is to utilise PhD student’s expert knowledge to enrich the student experience for our formal school and college visitors.

This will be a paid position for the delivery of education sessions (which includes set-up and clear-away time where applicable). Delivery of sessions will be on a casual basis depending on demand. Demonstrators will receive full training in communication, facilitation and session specific skills before being requested to deliver any sessions.

Further details of roles, responsibilities and payment will be given on enquiry.

Applicants at all venues should:

  • Be able to speak enthusiastically about their subject
  • Be able to communicate complex concepts in an approachable and engaging manner
  • Be interested in inspiring pupils to explore further study
  • Have excellent communication skills, preferably with experience of presenting to secondary or college students
  • Be organised, self-motivated, reliable and keen to work with groups of up to 30 secondary or A-level students
  • Be flexible and able to commit to dates up to one month in advance
  • Have some teaching experience (not essential)

Applicants for the John Rylands Library Programme should:

  • Be studying an English subject at PhD level (ideally English Language)
  • Have a good knowledge of the topic of English language change from 1400 onwards
  • Be aware of contemporary debates about prescriptive and descriptive approaches to English usage
  • Have enthusiasm for and experience of working with library special collections material
  • Email – bernard.mcgrath@manchester.ac.uk or Tel: 0161 306 6558

Applicants for the Whitworth Art Gallery Programme should:

  • Be studying an Art subject at PhD level
  • Some experience in leading art workshops
  • Be excited to work with a science demonstrator in an art gallery setting
  • Have a passion for gallery collections or be excited to work with them
    Or
  • Be studying a Science subject at PhD level (ideally plant science or similar)
  • Have an interest and knowledge of plants and botany
  • Be excited to work with an art demonstrator in an art gallery setting
  • Have a passion for gallery collections or be excited to work with them

Email: Denise.Bowler@manchester.ac.uk or Tel: 0161 275 7453

Applicants for the Manchester Museum Humanities Programme should:

  • Be studying Archaeology or Ancient History at PhD level
  • Have an interest and knowledge of material culture and archaeological landscapes
  • Have studied at least two of the following ancient civilisations: Greece, Rome, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Maya or Prehistoric Britain
  • Have a passion for museum collections or be excited to work with them

Email: Catherine.Lumb@manchester.ac.uk or Tel: 0161 306 1765

Applicants for the Manchester Museum Science Programme should:

  • Be studying a Science subject at PhD level
  • Have a strong subject and practical knowledge in one or more of the following areas: ancient DNA, molecular biology, evolutionary biology, biodiversity, climate change, imaging techniques (CT scanning/MRI), earth sciences (geology/palaeontology), photon physics or a similar subject area
  • Have a passion for museum collections or be excited to work with them

Email: Emily.Robinson@manchester.ac.uk or Tel: 0161 306 1764

Please apply by completing the online application form via this link by 12 October 2015. (note extended deadline) If you are unsure whether you are eligible for one of the above roles please contact the relevant lead at the venue.