Curator of Islamic Art

Shaping and developing a collection

You will survey and document the existing collection, expanding our knowledge of the objects and the stories behind them. Drawing on your broad knowledge of the field, you will help define the direction, focus and profile of this collection area and contribute to a collection development plan. You will keep up with developments in the field and the art market, identifying opportunities for acquisitions.

Your perspective will extend beyond individual objects, historical periods or geographical regions. The Islamic world, Europe and the Netherlands share a rich history of cultural and artistic exchange that continues to this day. You will bring these connections to life, showing how stories, influences and developments are intertwined.

You will raise the profile of the collection, both within and beyond the museum, and actively engage with audiences, communities, fellow specialists, collectors and other stakeholders. You will also build a network of potential supporters and donors. In doing so, you will expand knowledge of the collection and strengthen engagement with this area of art.

Your main responsibilities will be to:

• survey, document, research and further develop the Islamic art collection;
• contribute to a collection development plan and propose new acquisitions;
• monitor developments in the field and the art market, identifying opportunities for the collection;
• build and maintain relationships with communities, fellow specialists, collectors, other stakeholders and potential supporters and donors;
• make the collection and the knowledge surrounding it more visible and accessible, both within and beyond the museum.

Working for the Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum belongs to everyone and is for everyone. As the national museum of the Netherlands, we tell the story of the Netherlands in the context of the wider world. Our collection reveals how art, people, ideas and cultures have been connected throughout history. With this position, we aim to strengthen our expertise in art from the Islamic world and bring greater visibility to the centuries of exchange between the Islamic world, the Netherlands and Europe.

You will join the Asian Art team within the Fine Arts Department, working alongside curators and scholars specialising in the art of Japan and Korea, South Asia, China and Southeast Asia. With your expertise in Islamic art, you will introduce a new area of knowledge to both the team and the museum. You will work closely with curators, conservators, researchers and colleagues across the Rijksmuseum.

What will you contribute?

We are interested in who you are, the expertise and talents you will bring to our team, and how you would like to develop further personally. We look forward to welcoming you.

We are looking for someone with broad knowledge of Islamic art across geographical regions and historical periods. You will bring a new area of expertise to the Rijksmuseum and use your own specialism to establish connections with other parts of the collection. You know how to make scholarly knowledge accessible and relevant to different audiences, and you actively develop relationships and networks around the collection.

You also have:

• an academic background in regional studies, cultural history or art history of the Islamic world, at least at master's degree level, including knowledge of material culture;
• relevant experience as a curator or in a comparable specialist role;
• knowledge of Arabic and the ability to read and interpret calligraphy;
• a good command of English and Dutch, or a willingness to learn Dutch in the near future.

What will you get in return?

As Curator of Islamic Art, you will have the opportunity to work both behind the scenes and in the galleries of a major internationally oriented museum, alongside dedicated professionals.

We also offer:

• A gross salary of € 4.668,00 tot € 6.456,00 (Schaal 12 of the collective agreement for museums) per month, based on a 36-hour working week;
• 8% holiday bonus and 3.4% year-end bonus;
• Your accrued holiday pay, end-of-year bonus and the value of your extra leave hours combine to form an IKB, so you can have this paid out whenever it suits you;
• A fixed-term contract of 36  hours for 1 year with the possibility of extension;
• the option to alternate between working from home and in the office, including a budget to set up your home workspace to your liking. You will also receive €2.45 for each day worked from home;
• Full public transport allowance (up to €367,50) if commuting further than 5 km. Any expenses for secure bicycle storage at the station are also fully reimbursed;
• A Museumkaart (Museum Card) after your probationary period, giving you unlimited access to 450 museums across the Netherlands. You can also visit the Rijksmuseum during opening hours with one guest free of charge;
• opportunities to take part in various events and sporting activities, including the Rijksrun and our summer and winter celebrations.

Enthusiastic?

Apply before the closing date of 4 January. We warmly welcome applications from everyone interested in this position. If you need additional support during the application process, please let us know. We will be happy to help.

Our recruitment process is as follows:

1. Submit your application. Once we receive your CV and cover letter, we will review your application.
2. First interview – 21 January. If your experience and interests align with the position, we will invite you for an initial interview. We would like to learn more about you, your experience and what attracts you to this role.
3. Second interview – 1 February. If the first interview goes well, we will invite you for a second conversation. A meeting with the General Director will then be scheduled for 3  February.
4. If we are both enthusiastic about moving forward, we will make you an offer.

Do you have any questions about the role? Pieter Roelofs will be happy to answer them. You can contact him at p.roelofs@rijksmuseum.nl.

Please note: We may close this vacancy before the stated deadline if we receive a sufficient number of applications. Unfortunately, we cannot consider applications submitted after the vacancy has closed.

We only consider applications submitted through the Rijksmuseum website. Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications by email.