Tag: maritime-museum

AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership studentship: Uncharted Voices

Learn more about and apply for this fully funded collaborative doctoral studentship starting in October 2026 

https://www.rmg.co.uk/ahrc-collaborative-doctoral-partnership-studentship-uncharted-voices

Uncharted Voices: Subaltern Cultures and Identities in Global Seafaring, 1880–1950

An AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CDP) studentship with Royal Museums Greenwich and University of Portsmouth

About the project

Applications are invited for a fully-funded four-year PhD to commence on 1 October 2026.

The National Maritime Museum, part of the REACH CDP Consortium, and the University of Portsmouth are pleased to announce the availability of a fully funded collaborative doctoral studentship from October 2026 under the AHRC’s Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships (CDP) scheme.

This project will be jointly supervised by Lucy Dale and Dr Hannah Stockton from the National Maritime Museum and Professor Brad Beaven and Dr Karl Bell from the University of Portsmouth. The student will be expected to spend time at both the University of Portsmouth and the National Maritime Museum, as well as becoming part of the wider cohort of CDP-funded students across the UK.

CDP doctoral training grants fund full-time studentships for four years or part-time equivalent up to a maximum of eight years.

This PhD proposes a critical investigation of the Campbell McMurray Collection (CMC), a remarkable but unexplored oral history collection housed at Royal Museums Greenwich. Comprising around 500 digitised tapes, the collection captures personal narratives of (primarily British) merchant seamen from the 1890s to the 1950s. Through a thematic analysis of these testimonies, this research will recover hidden maritime voices and explore the complex ways in which seafarers navigated their identities, family relations, cultural interactions, occupational knowledge, and working-class affiliations across maritime and urban domains.

As transient workers, seafarers embodied the migration of people, objects and ideas between distant ports, while navigating their own marginalised positions within imperial and postcolonial worlds. By foregrounding voices from the CMC, some of which belong to migrant, and working-class men, this research addresses the theme of diverse and hidden histories. Integrating analysis of family relations further uncovers emotional and domestic dimensions of global labour histories.

Through collaboration with the National Maritime Museum’s public history initiatives, the project will also contribute to interpreting this archive for broader audiences, enhancing heritage narratives and public engagement. The CMC represents a rich but under-researched source of information about maritime intangible heritage, especially regarding mariners’ cultural practices at sea.

The successful student will be expected to develop their own lines of enquiry and research approach to the project, but initial research questions might include:

  • In what ways did merchant seafarers articulate their sense of identity across maritime and urban domains?
  • How did seafarers manage family relationships while navigating between maritime and urban lives?
  • What sort of traditions and cultural practices at sea did seafarers engage in?
  • To what extent were seafarers integrated into or excluded from working-class communities ashore?

The work on this project could involve:

  • Professional immersion: The student will gain direct experience in the cultural and heritage sector through a collaborative partnership, spending time at both lead organisations.
  • On-site research and training: The role includes four years of embedded training and career development, primarily based at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.
  • International recognition: Benefit from the Centre of Port Cities and Cultures’ wealth of knowledge and international networks while simultaneously showcasing cutting-edge research.
  • Flexible engagement: While the project allows for remote work, the student is encouraged to regularly collaborate on-site with the National Maritime Museum curatorial team to conduct oral history and archival research.

Director of Curatorial Affairs

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, Inc.

Job Opportunities

At the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, our mission is to discover, preserve, present, and keep alive the stories of the Nation’s Oldest Port, as symbolized by our working lighthouse. As Director of Curatorial Affairs, you’ll be at the forefront of advancing this mission, leading innovative research, interpretation, and preservation work with regional and national impact.

Job Description

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is seeking an experienced and visionary Director of Curatorial Affairs to lead our Collections, Interpretation & Research Division. This senior leadership role oversees collections, exhibitions, interpretive programming, and the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program (LAMP), while also serving as Chief Curator for the Museum.

What You’ll Do

  • Provide leadership and administrative oversight for curatorial, conservation, interpretation, archaeology, and Heritage Boatworks programs.Serve as Chief Curator, ensuring the highest standards in collections care, documentation, research, and exhibitions.
  • Develop interpretive programs that integrate original staff research into engaging visitor experiences.
  • Supervise key staff, including Collections Manager, Director of Archaeological Conservation, Director of LAMP, Dive Safety Officer, and Interpretive Department Manager.
  • Oversee the development of new exhibits, educational programs, partnerships, and digital learning tools.
  • Collaborate with Development to secure funding, grants, and sponsorships for exhibitions and programs.
  • Manage division budgets, set KPIs, and ensure alignment with the Museum’s Strategic Plan.
  • Represent the Museum through tours, lectures, and partnerships with universities, community groups, and preservation organizations.

What We’re Looking For

  • Advanced degree required in Museum Studies, History, Anthropology or a relevant field required.
  • A minimum of six years of progressive experience that includes three years of a management or leadership role working in a museum, historic site or similar heritage institution
  • Proven experience managing collections, exhibitions, and cultural preservation programs.
  • Familiarity with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation and National Park Service cultural resource standards.
  • Knowledge of archaeology and conservation preferred.
  • Strong organizational, problem-solving, and project management skills with the ability to meet deadlines and budgets.
  • Excellent communicator with a collaborative leadership style preferred.
  • Ability to climb lighthouse stairs, stand for long periods, and work outdoors in varied conditions.

Associate Education Curator: NC Maritime Museums

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/northcarolina/jobs/4895306/associate-education-curator

Primary Purpose of Position:

Research, design, develop, and manage NC Maritime Museum’s educational programs, services, materials, and teaching collections for visiting groups (schools, bus tours, special needs groups, at-risk students, etc.), and the public. Oversee 25 volunteer staff at the Museum’s Information Desk and Discovery Carts and monitor and maintain records for the entire Museum Volunteer staff (100-150 volunteers). Offer guidance and instruction when delegating appropriate duties to volunteers, interns and staff. Maintain education programs and volunteer impact statistics and assist with the development and publication of program calendars, brochures, and other educational materials.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Coordinate / schedule all school and group visits to the museum including Watercraft Center, store, exhibits, collections, and other curators.
  • Compile statistics from museum education programs for reports.
  • Research, design, develop, and conduct unique educational programming about North Carolina’s maritime history, culture and environment. Maintain a specialized knowledge of North Carolina’s maritime history, culture and environment with a focus on the Crystal Coast.
  • Recruit, design, manage, and maintain the volunteer program. Directly oversees 20-30 volunteer staff at the Information Desk and Discovery Carts and maintain records and support materials for 120-150 volunteers museum wide.
  • Train and manage volunteers and interns involved in educational programming. 

Position/Physical Requirements:

  • Must be able to work a Monday through Friday work week; some weekends and evenings as required.
  • Must be able to lift 30 lbs., with or without accommodation. 

To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must provide the information on the application form. Any information omitted from the application form, listed as general statements, listed under the text resume section, or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit.

Qualified candidates must have or be able to:

  • Demonstrated experience working in history, science, or related fields.
  • Demonstrated experience in use of primary and secondary historical sources.
  • Demonstrated experience developing and leading museum educational programming for varied audiences.
  • Demonstrated experience developing and/or implementing evaluation instruments and techniques to assess educational programs.

Management Prefers:

  • Demonstrated experience working with volunteers and/or interns.
  • Demonstrated experience compiling records related to visitation, program attendance, program scheduling, and/or volunteer operations. 

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See of oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.

Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Biology, Botany, Conservation, Education, History or Zoology from an appropriately accredited institution AND two years of museum or related work;
OR 

an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Supplemental and Contact Information

Section/Unit Description:

The mission of the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort is to collect, preserve, research, document, and interpret the maritime history, culture, and environment of coastal North Carolina for diverse public and specialized audiences, to inspire appreciation, encourage discovery, and promote an active, responsible understanding for maritime heritage among present and future generations.

Division Description:

The North Carolina Museum of History Division promotes the understanding of the history and material culture of North Carolina for the educational benefit of North Carolinians and visitors. Through collections, exhibits, and educational programs, its museums encourage citizens and visitors to explore and understand the past: to reflect on their lives and their place in history; and to preserve state, regional, and local history for the future generations.

Agency Description:

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) takes care of the things that people love about North Carolina. DNCR manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. The Department’s vision is to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational, and economic future of North Carolina. Everyone is welcome. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.  We encourage you to apply to become a part of our team!