Jobs Archive
Specimen Preparer
We are recruiting for a Specimen Preparer to join the Specimen Preparation Team within the Science Directorate. As part of this team, that includes five other Specimen Preparers, the successful candidate will contribute to the creation of over 35,000 herbarium specimens annually. The Herbarium at Kew contains around 7 million preserved vascular plant specimens, these specimens contain a wealth of information about plants and are used by Kew Scientists and researchers across the globe in studies into biodiversity, conservation, ecology and sustainable development. The post holder will be a highly motivated individual, able to contribute to the herbarium collections by producing herbarium specimens to Kew standards in a timely way.
We are looking for a highly motivated individual with excellent organisational skills and the ability to undertake repetitive tasks through to completion. You will be keen to work as part of a team, but also have the ability to work alone and make independent decisions when preparing specimens.
The successful candidate will have good manual dexterity and an ability to work quickly and precisely. They will learn new skills, be able to demonstrate the specimen preparation process to others and be confident interacting with the public and visitors in an engaging manner.
Curator (Collections - Zoology)
Are you passionate about zoological collections? Do you have a flair for engaging diverse audiences and making collections inclusive? We’re looking for a Curator (Collections – Zoology) at UCL to enable the collection’s continued use in teaching, research and as a source of inspiration about the natural world.
UCL Culture is a multidisciplinary team committed to connecting the world with UCL through our collections, innovative programming and engagement activities. We use our collections, museums, theatre and most importantly our people and know-how to mobilise the UCL community, inspiring them to engage people with their research. We deliver compelling programmes of events, public engagement activities, performance, exhibitions, and permanent museum displays to create cutting-edge cultural experiences.
The Grant Museum, which houses UCL’s zoology collection, is one of the oldest natural history collections in the UK with a reputation for innovation and experimental work. The collection comprises around 68,000 specimens covering the whole of the animal kingdom. It is accredited by Arts Council England and works to influence the museum sector in areas of audience engagement, collections management and object-based teaching.
Natural History Conservator (x2)
The Natural History Museum of Denmark is seeking 2 experienced natural history conservators to join the Conservation Unit and assist with the preparation of objects for the new permanent galleries at the NHMD. The position is available from July 1th 2022 or as soon thereafter. Currently the position is funded for a 2-year period, with the possibility of an extension.
The main role of the conservators is to help the Head of Conservation Unit with planning and undertaking varied object treatments, and the supervision of interns and volunteers. The postholders will also collaboratively create and maintain an online presence for the NHMD Conservation Unit via various social media formats and through the creation of an online blog.
Responsibilities for the Conservators include, but are not limited to:
Assisting the Head of Conservation Unit with day-to-day management of the conservation lab, and scheduling of object treatments as required by the exhibition groups
Investigation, planning and undertaking conservation treatments on a variety of natural history collection types
Writing condition assessments and treatment reports for objects, including detailed photography
Organising and supervising projects for interns and volunteers
Creation and maintenance of Conservation Unit online content, including a project blog
Assisting in the final installation of objects into the permanent galleries
The salary scale for Bachelors:
340,576 – 401,145 dkk (includes pension)
The salary scale for Masters:
372,206 – 453,541 dkk (includes pension)
The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to negotiate a pay supplement on top of their salary for additional relevant experience. This is done with the assistance of a Union representative.
Research Officer
In National Museums NI’s Corporate Strategy 2021-2025, research is identified as a priority for the organisation, as we commit to ‘Develop our reputation as a sectoral leader in collections research that delivers meaningful impact’. An important aspect of this will be the submission of an application to UKRI for Independent Research Organisation (IRO) status, and the Research Coordinator will be responsible for progressing the application.
The post holder will also contribute more broadly to the work of the Collections Directorate and the overall corporate objectives of National Museums NI. They will be expected to work collaboratively with colleagues across all collections areas and other parts of the business both on an individual basis and as part of wider project teams.
Assistant Curator of Vertebrate Zoology
Our people are at the heart of National Museums Liverpool. Colleagues from across the NML team make a difference every day, creating memorable experiences for everyone and challenging expectations. We pride ourselves on being a place for everyone, but we are always aiming higher, aspiring to be representative of the communities we serve. Through our people, we are building a culture which embeds trust, respect and inclusion and an organisation in which people are engaged and empowered to enable National Museums Liverpool to evolve. You could be just the right person to join us.
We currently have the post(s) of Assistant Curator of Vertebrate Zoology available.
The Vertebrate Zoology collection, originating from National Museums Liverpool (NML)’s founding collection bequeathed by the 13th Earl of Derby, has remained at the heart of NML’s purpose. The collection has evolved into unique, globally significant, sociocultural objects, mirroring Britain’s historical relations with the rest of the world, and highlighting humans’ connections with, and perceptions of, the Natural World. This is in addition to its role as a key source of biological records, documenting, and facilitating investigation of, the diversity, distribution and change in the living systems with which we share our planet. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the team that take care of this extraordinary collection and work to make it as accessible as we can.
Collections Documentation Officer
Bristol Museums has an exciting opportunity for a Collections Documentation Officer to join their Conservation and Documentation team on a fixed term, full-time basis (12 months maternity cover).
Part of Bristol City Council, Bristol Museums is responsible for the care of collections held across five museum sites and Bristol Archives and welcomes approximately one million visitors annually. Based at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery the Collections Documentation Officer will have the opportunity to work across all curatorial departments from art to archaeology, history to industry, the natural and the wider world, with many recognised as nationally and internationally important.
You will undertake cataloguing and digitisation projects, provide collections management support to the wider Collections Team, liaising with internal and external clients and act as our lead EMu specialist and administrator (EMu is our collections management system). The role supports the Conservation & Documentation Manager and the wider team to shape and deliver our collections management work programme including advising on best practice procedures, standards and copyright.
You will lead on the upgrade of our collections management system from EMu 5 to 6 providing training and documentation for colleagues along alongside core work creating records, producing reports, troubleshooting and extracting information for colleagues.
Good digital skills are essential, particularly knowledge of Microsoft Excel and complex databases. As this is a fixed term role administrative experience of the collections management system EMu is essential. Experience working in conjunction with multi-disciplinary colleagues, good communication skills and attention to detail should be demonstrated within the application.
A strong understanding of collections management principles and procedures along with experience handling a range of museum collections should be highlighted and will be part of a practical assessment at interview. The applicant should have a museum relevant degree or equivalent collections management experience.
Lead Digitisation Operations Manager
RBG Kew are currently recruiting staff to work on an exciting and unique project to digitise Kew’s 8.5 million plant and fungal specimens and create a complete catalogue of our internationally significant collections, making specimen records and images freely available online and accessible to researchers across the globe.
The outcome of this project will provide a unique, world-leading resource making accessible data from more than 260 years of scientific exploration, placing them at the centre of efforts to combat urgent global challenges such as habitat degradation, climate change and human health.
In addition, RBG Kew are recruiting staff to support the implementation of a new collections management system to ensure efficient and effective integrated management of the Science and Living Collections and the data describing them.
The Integrated Collections Management System will allow more efficient tracking of the use of specimens to meet legislative requirements concerning access to genetic resources and benefit sharing, including the Nagoya Protocol of the Convention on Biological Diversity and plant health legislation.
This is an exciting and challenging role and will suit those with a successful track record of operational/logistical leadership within organisations of similar scale and complexity. Likewise, you will bring experience of effective financial management and resource planning as well as a track record of leading transformational change and ensuring robust project governance. You will also bring outstanding interpersonal skills with a proven ability to engage and inspire diverse teams and forge collaborative and productive relationships with stakeholders and colleagues at all levels, across the organisation and externally.
Essential skills and experience required for this role include, educated to degree level or equivalent, experience of digitisation projects within a science / museum environment, experience of manging teams, good knowledge of Microsoft Excel skills & knowledge of reporting tool, and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Assistant Curator (Nature + Love)
The Horniman Museum and Gardens in south east London has been open since Victorian times, when the tea trader and philanthropist, Frederick John Horniman first opened his house and extraordinary collection of objects to the local community. Since then, our collection has grown significantly and includes internationally important collections of Anthropology and Musical Instruments, as well as an acclaimed Aquarium, Butterfly House and Natural History Gallery – all surrounded by 16 acres of beautiful Gardens offering breath-taking views across London.
We are looking for a motivated and committed team player to join us as we prepare to re-develop our Natural History Gallery and areas of the Gardens as part of a major organisation-wide capital project: Nature + Love, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Our focus is to engage a wide range of people with the climate and ecological crisis, and re-connect people with nature to support wellbeing. You will conduct research and support the development of new content for a major re-display of our Natural History Gallery, working with the project team to make specimen selections and produce interpretation for specific areas of the redisplay. Supporting the team in preparation for the gallery decant and later re-installation, will also form a significant part of the role.
You will be highly organised, have experience of curating and documenting Natural Science collections in museums, as well as a good general knowledge and understanding of zoology and/or palaeontology, and a relevant degree or equivalent experience. You will have excellent written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills and have proven experience of working with, interpreting and developing understanding in Natural Science collections and related topics across a range of audiences. Experience of developing Natural Sciences exhibitions in a museum environment would also be highly desirable.
The closing date for completed applications is 10am on 7 March. Interviews will be held on 25 March.
Temporary Botany Research Assistant
This project aims to make specimens from the Economic Botany Collection accessible and useful to local communities of relevance and to communities across the globe. It is focussed on plant specimens from south-east Asia. The Research Assistant will provide support for the Project Leader by improving documentation for the collection, working with the collection database (CMS) and scanning plant specimens. They will also contribute to participatory workshops and facilitate access to digital images for the co-production of extended, multimedia – blogs and promote the project via social media.
Pelham Clinton Entomology Genetic Collection Curator
National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in Europe. With one of the largest and most diverse collections in the world, we are responsible for the acquisition, preservation and display of a substantial part of Scotland’s cultural, historic and national heritage.
Millions of local and international visitors enjoy our four museums each year, and we also introduce our collections to a much wider audience than can physically visit our museums through, touring exhibitions, loans, community engagement, digital programmes and research.
Over the last decade, we have invested over £120 million in our sites and have more than doubled our visitor numbers, with over 3 million people now visiting our four museums. Alongside this, we have continued to transform how we communicate and engage with our audiences. 2019 has seen the completion of our Masterplan for the National Museum of Scotland with the opening of three new galleries dedicated to Ancient Egypt, East Asia and the Art of Ceramics.
At an exciting time for the organisation, National Museums Scotland offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of the Entomology collection.
You will be responsible for the development of the collection of invertebrates (insects) suitable for molecular research and the curation of the voucher collections from national and international genomic projects, including BioScan and the Darwin Tree of Life. The collection is housed at the National Museums Collection Centre.
We seek an exceptional candidate who can demonstrate and develop specialist knowledge, including research activity, about the specified collections and enable the widest possible access to them, in line with National Museums’ objectives. The post-holder will also work with the Principal Curator of Invertebrates and the Keeper of Natural Sciences.
Applicants should have a degree and postgraduate qualification/s in Biological Sciences, in addition to proven relevant work experience in the museum environment and collection based research. An excellent communicator with a track record of collection management/curation, understanding of taxonomic and ecological research, and successful participation in public programs. Good ICT skills are also essential. Experience in managing staff and projects, and a driving licence is desirable.