National Museum Internships (Bloemfontein, Free State) South Africa 2021 - 2022

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

25 February 2021.
Be sure to apply on or before this date - any applications submitted after this date are late and will NOT be accepted.
 

ABOUT THE COMPANY PROVIDING THE INTERNSHIP:

The National Museum was established in 1877 as a cultural and art museum. Under the Department of Arts and Culture, the National Museum is a Declared Cultural institution and is governed by a council.
 

DETAILS ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME:

Locations: Bloemfontein, Free State
Contract duration: 12 months
Pay/ stipend: Dependant on level of qualification

National Museum of Bloemfontein is offering an internship programme as part of a collaboration between the Florisbad Quaternary Research Station and Archaeology Department. This programme is for a motivated student (post-graduate) currently starting/on a Masters level. The candidate's studies should be commencing at a South African University in the field of African Pleistocene Archaeology, focusing on hominin behaviour. During the programme, the candidate will engage in laboratory work, focusing primarily on data collection on key Stone Age collections; curation of excavated archaeological materials, and experimental research. Candidates will also have the opportunity to work closely with professionals on research projects within the Archaeology Department and at the Florisbad Quaternary Research Station
 

Key Performance Areas of the Programme:

  • Collecting data on stone artefact collections
  • Doing research for projects
  • Providing management with assistance and curating tasks artefact and fossil collections
  • Providing support for outreach and educational projects with the aim of popularising African Archaeology/Quaternary research within local communities as a field of expertise

National Museum of Bloemfontein offers the following, relating to important areas of research and curation:

  • Sorting archaeological materials that have been excavated within a controlled laboratory
  • Analysing and recognising stone artefacts (when required)
  • A basic introduction into the identification of fauna, pertaining specifically to the Cornelian & Florisian LMAs
  • Using advanced methods, created and developed by the supervising scientists to identify stone artefacts
  • The basic protocols of collecting key archaeological data using 2D digitization
  • Graphically visualising archaeological data and performing statistical work (basic)
  • Gaining practical experience with world-famous archaeological collections depicting human origins
  • Gaining exposure to various working environments in different NMB research departments, whilst also gaining opportunities to interact and learn from scientists

 

Task Group: KPA 1 – Research Projects, collecting and interrogating archaeological data
Weight: 60%
Process: Research Projects
Task: Assist Scientists with research projects and fieldwork

Task Group: KPA 2 – Assist with management and curation tasks of collections
Weight: 30%
Process: Curation of Collections
Task: Archaeological laboratory work including curation (sorting, weighing, and measuring) of freshly excavated Stone Age collections. Assisting with general laboratory processes and maintenance

Task Group: KPA 3 – Provision of support for educational and outreach activities in order to popularise African archaeology as a field of expertise
Weight: 10%
Process: Education and outreach activities
Task: Popularization of African Archaeology/ Quaternary Science fields to public, assist with practicals at schools
Process: Social media and articles
Task: Do social media posts (preferably weekly) about African Archaeology. Write one popular article (under supervision).
 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS NEEDED TO APPLY:

Before applying, please ensure that you meet ALL of the following minimum entry criteria – failure to satisfy all the requirements will result in your application being disqualified:

  • Education requirement: must have completed a Bachelors/ Bachelor of Science in Archaeology/Geology OR an Honours Qualification and interest in post-graduate studies
  • Must have key-knowledge relating to African Prehistory / Archaeology / Quaternary Science
  • Must be computer literate
  • Must have knowledge about statistical analyses (advantageous) will be an advantage
  • Must have a Code 8 drivers licence (unendorsed)
  • Must be self-motivated
  • Must be able to work in a high-pressured environment
  • Must be able to work well with a team
  • Must have good communication skills (oral and written)
  • Must be eager to learn stone fracture mechanics/artefact recognition and description (the basics)
  • Must read the scientific papers provided by scientists in a critical manner
  • Must be able to use the knowledge on methodologies in the lithic analysis to collect quantitative data on Stone Age collections
  • Must be willing to learn about the curation of freshly excavated Stone Age collections
  • Must be eager to participate in experiments that involve exertion with the aim to explore the behaviours of past hominins
  • Must be willing to learn quantitative methods that are basic and are key to artefact digitization
  • Must be able to weekly document your training experience on social media posts
  • Must be eager to aid in popular article production as well as being prevalent in a peer-reviewed publication

 

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE INTERNSHIP POSITION:

Applications must be submitted by email to: hr@nasmus.co.za

Attach the following documents to your application email:

Attach the following documents to your application:

  • A cover letter
  • A copy of your Identification Document
  • Copies of all your academic transcripts/qualifications
  • A Comprehensive Curriculum Vitae with at least 3 contactable references
  • A list of research publications in peer-reviewed journals over the last 5 years

Please note:
- Shortlisted candidates will undergo a comprehensive selection process
- Preference will be given to black individuals/ individuals from Previously Disadvantaged - Backgrounds, in accordance with the Employment Equity Act
- The National Museum is NOT obligated to fill the position
- Should your application NOT include the relevant documentation, it will be disqualified
- If you do not hear a response within 21 days after the closing date, consider your application unsuccessful
 

CONTACT THE INTERNSHIP PROVIDER FOR QUERIES:

For any queries related to this internship programme, please contact the National Museum's Human Resources team directly:

Email address: hr@nasmus.co.za