Positions

The Staatliche Museen zu Berlin is a major subdivision of the Stiftung Preussischer Kulturbesitz (Prussian Cultural Heritage). More than 1800 people work for the Stiftung Preussischer Kulturbesitz, and more than 700 of those are employed at the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. The Stiftung Preussischer Kulturbesitz is thus a major and important public-sector employer in Germany’s cultural landscape. Current career opportunities available at the Staatliche Museen are listed on the website of the Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz.

Volontariat

Volontariat programmes specifically for museum work are run across the whole of Germany. The vast majority last two years and are intended for people hoping to embark on senior-level careers in museum-related professions within the public sector (i.e. at state-run museums and institutions).

The Staatliche Museen zu Berlin offers a total of 31 graduate-level Volontariat internships in museum work (for information on Volontariat opportunities in museum work, click here to download PDF).

It is a long-standing tradition at the Staatliche Museen that people working on Volontariat internships are referred to as 'specialist museum assistants in professional training'. The professional training can occur in any collection, scientific institute, in the General Directorate, or selected conservation departments at the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. Most Volontariat internships are offered by the Staatliche Museen’s art collections: the Nationalgalerie (Alte Nationalgalerie, Neue Nationalgalerie, Hamburger Bahnhof – Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart, Sammlung Scharf Gerstenberg and Museum Berggruen), the Skulpturensammlung und Museum für Byzantinische Kunst, Gemäldegalerie, Kupferstichkabinett, Kunstbibliothek and Kunstgewerbemuseum. The two-year internship is held in two separate year-long placements in one or two collections or a department within the General Directorate. In our archaeological collections and ethnological museums, in our collections of Asian and Islamic art, and in our three research institutes (Institut für Museumsforschung, Rathgen-Forschungslabor and Zentralarchiv) the two-year internship occurs as a single placement. The internship in conservation usually lasts just one year. A training event for all specialist museum assistants at the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin is held once a month. Each meeting tackles cross-collection issues such as handling loans, budgeting, etc.

An essential requirement in applying for a Volontariat traineeship at the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin is a university degree. In addition, a Volontariat internship in the art collections and in some of the archaeological collections also requires that the applicant holds a PhD. The requirements may vary depending on the internship on offer.

Postings for Volontariat internships are listed on the Stiftung Preussischer Kulturbesitz website.

Pre-graduate internships

Study-related internship
Many collections and institutions at the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin offer study-related internships for people still in university education. The duration of internships depends on the relevant training and exam regulations and occurs without remuneration. Other internships are obligatory prior to beginning study as specified in the regulations for studies. It is generally required that applicants have completed the first stage of their degree ('Grundstudium') or already hold a BA or BSc. Volunteer internships are not possible for the time being. Foreign applicants must be fluent in spoken and written German. Applications for this kind of internship should be sent directly to the museum directors or to institution or departmental heads.

Conservation and restoration internship
The Staatliche Museen zu Berlin currently offers 10 internship places in the area of conservation and restoration to prepare participants for their university degree (pre-study internship). The internship lasts one year. Applicants are required to have Abitur, A-Level, baccalaureate, or vocational baccalaureate qualifications along with proof of having sought university course guidance or after having already applied to a university offering the relevant courses in this field. Postings for pre-study internships in the area of conservation and restoration are listed on the Stiftung Preussischer Kulturbesitz website and on the website of the Verband der Restauratoren e.V..