V&A Exhibition Research Assistant — Art & Design in Florence

Overview

The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) is recruiting an Exhibition Research Assistant to support the development and delivery of a major exhibition on Art and Design in Florence from approximately 1450 to 1750. The role supports Exhibition Co-Curators through research, curatorial administration, object selection, lender relations, publication preparation and exhibition development.

Position Details

• Department: Decorative Art and Sculpture
• Reports to: Senior Curator, Sculpture / Exhibition Co-Curator
• Contract: Fixed-term, 24 months
• Hours: Full-time, 36 hours per week
• Salary: £28,520–£32,925
• Work pattern: Flexible by agreement
• Working model: Hybrid, minimum 60% on-site
• Location: V&A South Kensington, London
• Potential start date: 23 November 2026

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will undertake research and curatorial administration supporting the exhibition, publication and events. This includes researching collections, archives and objects; contributing to exhibition themes and structure; assisting with object selection and research trips; maintaining object records; coordinating object movements, photography and conservation requisitions; and supporting lenders. For the publication, duties include compiling bibliographies, illustration lists, checklists, timelines and captions; assisting with proofreading and indexing; liaising with authors and the V&A Publishing team; and writing one or more short essays. Additional work includes picture research, copyright clearances, assisting with commissioned films and interactive interpretation, preparing object labels, editing exhibition text, and supporting partnerships with academic institutions and other venues.

Eligibility

• Research experience and knowledge of Florentine art and design, particularly 15th–18th centuries
• Strong written and spoken English
• Italian language skills required (reading and writing; speaking ability desirable)
• Experience or knowledge of collections management procedures and museum-object handling
• Picture and audio-visual research experience
• Copyright clearances experience
• Relevant IT systems knowledge
• Experience with temporary exhibitions or permanent displays desirable

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: 22 September 2026
• Interview/Assessment: 14–16 October 2026
• Potential Start Date: 23 November 2026
• Contract Duration: 24 months

Benefits

This is a paid professional museum position offering direct experience within the V&A's curatorial and exhibition-production environment. Benefits include 29 days of annual leave plus public holidays, employee and employer pension contributions, life assurance, family-friendly policies, eligible interest-free loans, free entrance to many major museums and exhibitions, retail discounts, V&A exhibition tickets, 25% discount at V&A shops and cafés, an Employee Assistance Programme, and staff social activities.

Application

• Application Fee: None
• Application Method: Online via https://vam.current-vacancies.com/Jobs/Advert/4302665?cid=3279
• The V&A uses anonymous shortlisting during the shortlisting stage