Jobs Archive
Senior Exhibitions and Interpretation Officer
We are Chester Zoo, and for over 80 years we've been a leading conservation and education charity, and an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction.
We're also a team of passionate, talented and expert people, doing everything we can to keep the zoo going giving our 1.9 million visitors an inspirational day out. We work hard because we care about nature, we love Chester Zoo and we want to be the best zoo in the world! If you think you can help us to achieve that, then we'd love to hear from you.
We currently have an exciting vacancy for a Senior Exhibitions and Interpretation Officer to play a key role in our Discovery and Learning department on a temporary basis.
The successful candidate will be highly motivated and support the Exhibitions and Interpretation (E&I) Manager to ensure the effective delivery and ongoing development of all interpretation across the zoo, and ensure education and conservation impact through delivery of our learning outcomes.
The Role:
- To support the E&I Manager and work collaboratively to ensure excellence in the development, implementation and maintenance of interpretation across the zoo. Collaborating widely to ensure buy in and authentic content creation. Supervising interpretation production through brief writing, content development, procurement, installation and ongoing maintenance.
- Lead, develop and motivate the Interpretation Officer in order to ensure efficient delivery of all interpretation work, high morale, delivery of our values and professionalism. Supervise any interns or volunteers working in the department as required.
- Source, recruit, manage and oversee the work of a wide variety of contractors ensuring effective delivery of projects, supervision of their work and management of contracts.
- Ensure all existing interpretation information is accurate and shows the latest field and science updates, and compliant with the requirements of zoo licensing.
- Implement and assist with the development of policies, procedures and safe working practices to ensure the E&I team follow best practice and are compliant with all relevant guidelines and legislation (e.g. copyright, H&S, DDA). Ensure installations are completed safely with risk assessments, and that assets are appropriately managed and documented.
- Develop skills and knowledge in the areas of interpretation and wider exhibition design, keeping up to date with best practice, collaborating with partners in the UK and internationally as appropriate, researching excellence and sharing practice.
- Ensure that interpretation projects are based on high quality research evidence, by initiating and working on pre- and post-evaluation projects, reading widely and working with the E&I Manager, Conservation Social Scientist and others to collect and analyse data about the impact of interpretation and learning at the zoo.
- Support the E&I Manager to lead the direction of interpretation across the zoo, including deputising for them in project meetings and working as part of the wider D&L management team to shape the direction of learning at the zoo.
The successful candidate will have:
- Experience of developing interpretation and/or exhibitions in a zoo, museum, science centre, or similar environment. Experience with the process of building exhibits from brief through to completion. This experience would ideally be supported by a relevant degree or Masters level qualification.
- A working knowledge of conservation and zoology. This is likely be demonstrated by a Zoology or Biological Science degree and/or experience of working within a zoo, conservation organisation or similar environment with a degree in another relevant subject.
- Experience of text writing, ideally in a visitor attraction setting or for a specific audience. Must have excellent written English and understand how to write for different audience types and different media.
- The ability to find accurate information and quality source materials (such as films, maps and images), seek copyright clearance for their usage and edit into appropriate formats for our audiences.
- Excellent verbal, written and visual presentation skills - including the creation of engaging interpretation and learning resources. The ability to brief key stakeholders on projects and requirements. To be able to communicate with a wide range of people with varying levels of technical and subject knowledge. To coordinate with others, especially Animal Teams and Maintenance, regarding installations.
- Skilled in the use of all key Microsoft packages is essential. Basic graphic skills using Adobe Creative Suite or experience with 2D or 3D design software is desirable. Experience using and sourcing a variety of software and hardware for public engagement.
- Excellent time management, administration, project management and workload planning skills are essential. Must be able to cope with multiple conflicting deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to work effectively under own initiative and as part of a team, to work under pressure with a positive and enthusiastic attitude. The role requires the job holder to work across different departments and with external colleagues. Experience of line management is desirable.
Hours of work are 40 hours per week, worked Monday-Friday, with occasional evening and/or weekend work as required for an 18 month period.
The salary for this role is £28,391.91 per annum and in addition we offer a range of amazing benefits which can be found at http://www.chesterzoo.org/careers/working-at-chester-zoo.
To apply for this position, please go to http://www.chesterzoo.org/careers and click apply now to provide your current CV and complete the application form highlighting your skills and experience including why you believe you should be considered for our Senior Exhibitions and Interpretation Officer role.
Observatory Astrographic Officer
Salary: £1,917 - £2,500 per annum (£23,000 - £30,000 pro rata)
Closing Date: 21 November 2018
Interviews: 23 November 2018
Expected start date: 3 December 2018
We have recently installed a suite of modern instruments in the Altazimuth Pavilion at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, restoring our status as a working observatory on a limited basis for the first time in more than 60 years.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, outgoing and technologically capable individual with experience of using telescopes of varying designs including large (14' plus) telescopes and a background in astronomy photography (encompassing Solar System and Deep Sky), including image processing. The post holder must also have excellent communication skills, with experience of delivering public astronomy events to a range of audiences.
When conditions permit, this work will be primarily carried out from 18.15-21.15 on Tuesday evenings. However the post holder must have enormous flexibility on this front. As this is a new role, it will be reviewed at the end of the year to make changes as necessary. They must be willing to work into the small hours of the morning on different days to capture images of particular targets if required.
Reports to: Senior Manager for Public Astronomy
Responsibilities:
- Operate our suite of instruments carefully and safely, and supervise their use by the Astrographic Volunteers.
- Work with and direct the Astrographic Volunteers to take photographs of specific astronomical targets and process the resulting images.
- Deliver public facing activity in the Altazimuth Pavilion using our suite of instruments, including activity for paying visitors, members and patrons.
- Liaise with the Observatory Public Engagement Manager and other members of the team to discuss photographic targets and public facing activity.
- Work with the Visitor Experience and Security teams to ensure access to and from the park, site and building and activity runs smoothly.
Essential skills and experience:
- Excellent knowledge of observational astronomy.
- A passion for astronomy and space exploration, current and historic.
- Experience of using small and larger (14' plus) telescopes.
- Experience of astronomy photography, including image processing.
- Friendly and outgoing with excellent public speaking skills and the ability to simplify complex scientific and technical concepts into succinct explanations.
- Commitment to ensure health and safety requirements are met, equipment is protected and the expectations of visitors are delivered.
- Incredibly flexible in terms of when work hours are delivered, as is required for observational astronomy.
- Punctual, diligent and organised with excellent time-keeping skills.
- Calm in a crisis.
Desirable skills and experience
- Experience of working with and/ or coordinating volunteers.
Terms and Conditions:
The post holder will work 3 hours a week, primarily working 18:15-21:15 on Tuesday evenings.
However the post holder must be incredibly flexible in terms of when work is delivered, both in terms of the day and the time.
This is particularly important from April-September inclusive. The post includes annual leave, which must be agreed at least one month in advance with their line manager.
Salary: £1,917-£2,500 per annum (£23,000-£30,000 pro rata)
John Ellerman Project Curator
Based at the National Museum of Scotland, you will be the lead curator on an exciting project to assess the palaeontological collections in Scotland.
This post is funded by the John Ellerman Foundation, and is fixed term for two years.
You will work with other Scottish museums to reveal new information about the distributed national fossil collections, to improve their care and increase opportunities for long-term audience engagement. These collections are in abundance across Scottish museums with relatively little information about them in the public domain.
You will also assess the non-paleontological natural sciences collections to inform future requirements and collaborations among Scottish museums with natural science collections.
All these collections provide incredible opportunities for public engagement and are likely to contain type specimens of significant research interest to the scientific community. Importantly, a review of the fossil material across the distributed national collection will allow museums to collaborate and make collections accessible.
At the completion of the project you will be responsible for producing two reports:
a) A review of fossil collections in Scottish Museums and;
b) Priorities for future support and development of Natural Sciences in Scotland.
You will have a degree in geology or biology. You will have knowledge of, and a strong interest in, working with fossils.
Proven experience in paid or unpaid work in museums or a similar environment is essential.
You will be able to demonstrate existing specialist knowledge relevant to the palaeobiological collections and subject areas.
You will be organised and methodical, with good verbal and written communication skills and ICT skills in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook.
You should also have experience of managing your own time and workload, working to deadlines and handling multiple priorities.
A driving licence is desirable.
To make an online application for this post and to find further details of this post and of all our vacancies please visit www.nms.ac.uk.
If you require further information telephone 0131 247 4094 (answerphone) or email applications@nms.ac.uk, stating reference NMS18/894
Closing date for completed applications is 09 December 2018.
It is anticipated that the selection event will take place on 18/19 December 2018.
Research Taxonomist
The African Natural History Research Trust (ANHRT) is a charitable research trust and museum focused on African entomological biodiversity. Our research is aimed at increasing the scientific knowledge of African insects with an emphasis on Lepidoptera.
Working as part of a small team, this role requires an organised individual with experience of working with Lepidoptera collections. The successful candidate will be capable of conducting self and group-led taxonomic research and have a strong understanding of zoological nomenclature. The successful candidate will be proficient at disseminating their findings through scientific journals and other scientific outlets, identifying and recurating parts of the collections as required whilst ensuring collections are safeguarded in line with ANHRT collections management protocol.
We welcome applicants with a broad understanding of Lepidopteran taxa. Candidates with specific knowledge of the following families would be preferable but candidates with expertise in other families will also be considered:
Noctuidae, Erebidae, Lasiocampidae, Bombycidae and/or Microlepidoptera.
Essential Competencies:
• Relevant undergraduate degree
• An ability to initiate and complete relevant research projects with national and international collaborations
• Previous experience of undertaking scientific research projects. This can be working as part of a team or individually.
• Draft publications and prepare them for submission to refereed journals
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• A clear understanding of taxonomy and a knowledge of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature
• An ability to organise multiple assignments with minimal supervision and in response to deadlines
• A high level of attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy. This will be coupled with an excellent level of manual dexterity.
• A proven ability to undertake specimen dissections and genitalia preparations
• A full driving license and own car
Preferable Competencies:
• Relevant PhD or equivalent work experience
• Specialist knowledge of Noctuidae, Erebidae, Lasiocampidae, Bombycidae or Microlepidoptera
• A willingness to travel in the UK and abroad for short or long periods as required.
To apply for this job:
Please email enquiries@anhrt.org.uk to obtain an ANHRT application form.
Then email enquiries@anhrt.org.uk with the following documents:
- Document A – ANHRT application form, this must be completed by hand.
- Document B – Curriculum Vitae
- Document C – Cover letter, within your cover letter please indicate how you are suitable to the role advertised
- Document D – List of your relevant publications
Project Officer – Freshwater Snails
Responsible to: The post-holder will report to the Senior Curator – Mollusca, in the Department of Natural Sciences.
Main purpose of the post: To help deliver the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) funded project “Brought to the Surface: a New Beginning for Freshwater Snail Identification” as part of the project team. To assist in devising and delivering both the public engagement, and curatorial and research aspects of the project. By bringing this specialist subject to a wider audience, to help ensure that the project outputs and outcomes are achieved to time and budget.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities:
Job Specific
1. To help deliver the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) funded project “Brought to the Surface: a New Beginning for Freshwater Snail Identification” as part of the project team.
2. To assist in devising, delivering and evaluating 5 practical identification and user-testing workshops for the public at venues around Wales.
3. To help engage public audiences and stakeholders with the project and this aspect of Wales’ natural heritage at other appropriate events.
4. To produce, edit and help lay out specimen images and maps for use in different identification materials including a comprehensive, user-tested field guide to the UK’s freshwater gastropods.
5. To contribute to the identification, curation and digitisation of the freshwater Mollusca Collection including historical material and that collected through fieldwork as part of the project.
6. To contribute content about the project and subject to a temporary display, social media, and the Museum’s website, working with staff in other Departments as appropriate.
7. To undertake and support collections-based, taxonomic research on selected species under the guidance of the Senior Curator, to increase specialist knowledge relevant to the Mollusca Collection and the project.
8. To help encourage and supervise the work of volunteers as part of the project.
9. To assist with reporting and the evaluation of the project against HLF’s and Amgueddfa Cymru’s criteria, and those of the partner organisations.
Head of Collections
Full time - Part time applications will be considered
Permanent
Oxford University Museum of Natural History is seeking to appoint a Head of Collections with responsibility for strategic leadership across the zoology, palaeontology, mineralogy, petrology and archival collections. The postholder will also have a major role in the strategic leadership of the museum as a whole and will be a member of the senior leadership team.
The museum has collections of 7 million specimens with particular strengths in entomology, vertebrate palaeontology and archival collections, and is one of the largest natural sciences collections in the UK. The new Head of Collections will be responsible for all aspects of collections management, staffing and funding and she/he will take the lead in the strategic development of the collections, including storage, digitisation, search and discovery, and research facilitation. The postholder will work closely with the Head of Public Engagement to utilise the collections in the development of public engagement programmes and learning initiatives, including pre-school, primary and secondary schools, out-of-school-hours activities, university teaching and adult learning. The museum is also planning a major redisplay of the public areas and the postholder will make a significant contribution to this project.
As part of the senior leadership team the postholder will also provide leadership for the implementation of an ambitious new strategic plan and the continuing strategic development of the institution.
The Museum of Natural History is part of the Gardens, Libraries and Museums division of the University of Oxford and there are a number of major GLAM capital initiatives in which the postholder would take an active role. One of these is a project to create two new, shared collections stores with integrated research and object-based teaching facilities, which is currently at the design stage.
The Head of Collections will represent the Museum both internally within the University of Oxford and externally within the broader museum and cultural community to ensure that it is well networked and able to undertake effective horizon scanning. The Museum of Natural History is one of the world’s major university science museums, and the Head of Collections will have responsibility for the continued development of its national and international networks and partnerships, and also ensure that it fulfils its leadership obligations within the sector as a leading regional and national institution.
A good honours degree is required with knowledge of collections and a specialist knowledge of appropriate curatorial techniques, including the management of digital documentation systems and digital image capture and processing. The successful candidate must have previous experience demonstrating leadership and the ability to develop and deliver large multi-component projects and strategic planning components for an institution
Working with the University of Oxford’s Development Office, the postholder will take a proactive role in generating income for the museum through research grants, trusts, foundations, and the cultivation of individual and corporate philanthropy.
Applications for a part-time role with a minimum 0.6FTE will be accepted
Further information and the application portal can be found on the Oxford University online recruitment site www.recruit.ox.ac.uk
If you have any questions about the post please contact the Director, Professor Paul Smith (paul.smith@oum.ox.ac.uk)
Closing date for applications: 12.00 (noon), 19 November 2018
Interviews will be held on Friday 30 November 2018
Documentation Assistant
We are seeking a detail orientated and highly organised team player with good documentation skills to assist with the documentation of the collections at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History in accordance with Museum Accreditation and SPECTRUM documentation standards.
This role will primarily involve working with digital documentation records to improve the quality of object and archive catalogue records by checking their validity, consistency and completeness. Duties will also include working with images and other digital surrogates and related metadata. Overall the post holder will be assisting the Digital Collections Manager with the implementation of the Museum’s newly integrated Collections Management System (KE EMu).
The successful candidate will have first-rate IT skills and experience working with museum or archive documentation. Familiarity with museum documentation standards and collections management systems is essential, with direct experience using KE EMu, desirable.
Applicants are required to complete the online application form on Oxford University’s website and include a CV and supporting statement addressing the selection criteria. The supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience. This may include experience gained in employment, education, or during career breaks (such as time out to care for dependants).
For further details on the Museum please see our website www.oum.ox.ac.uk. Please contact the Head of Print and Digital Collections Kathleen Diston using the contact details below.
Closing date: Monday 12th November 2018
Interview date: Friday 23rd November 2018
Contact: kathleen.diston@oum.ox.ac.uk 01865 272982
Exhibitions Officer - Maternity Cover
Full time (Part time hours would be considered)
Maternity Cover
The Museum of Natural History is offering a great opportunity to join its dynamic public engagement team to cover maternity leave. This varied and rewarding role contributes to the Museum’s changing temporary exhibition series, public event programme, and permanent displays.
We are looking for an experienced exhibitions officer who will be responsible for project managing exhibitions in our Contemporary Science and Society series. Each exhibition will have a full programme of activities aimed at different audiences and the exhibitions officer will be responsible for co-ordinating the programme, working in partnership with other members of the public engagement team, as well as public engagement officers and researchers embedded in University departments.
The Exhibitions Officer will also be involved in working with the Public Engagement Manager to develop the Museum’s Masterplan for redisplay of the main gallery.
The successful candidate will have a track record of developing and delivering exhibitions (particularly temporary exhibitions) and associated programming on time and on budget. The role requires strong diplomatic skills and excellent IT skills.
Applicants must complete the online application form on Oxford University’s website and include a CV and supporting statement addressing the selection criteria as listed in the Job Description. The supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post, using examples of your skills and experience. This may include experience gained in employment, education, or during career breaks (such as time out to care for dependants).
For further details on the Museum please see our website www.oumnh.ox.ac.uk. Please contact the Deputy Director and Head of Public Engagement Janet Stott using the contact details below.
Closing date: Monday 5th November - noon
Interview date: 20th November 2018
Contact: Janet Stott - janet.stott@oum.ox.ac.uk / 01865 272987
Front of House Manager - Maternity Cover
Full time: Tuesday to Sunday
(Part-Time hours would be considered)
Maternity Cover
We are recruiting a Front of House Manager working under the supervision of the Head of Operations to join our busy team. The post-holder will manage the Front of House team and be responsible for the warm proactive welcome to over 750,000 visitors every year in both individual and organised groups.
The role requires a proactive and practical approach and the ability to lead a team and work independently in a customer-focused environment. The postholder will be responsible for the visitor giving project, actively encouraging donations and their conversion to Gift Aid. The postholder and will be responsible for the security of the building including keys, alarm fobs and alarm systems.
The post requires excellent interpersonal skills, a professional attitude and a flexible approach to work. The successful candidate will have proven experience in a large visitor attraction, museum or heritage site and excellent team leadership experience with a confident and pro-active approach to resolving problem and dealing with issues arising.
Applicants are required to complete the online application form on Oxford University’s website and include a CV and supporting statement addressing the selection criteria. The supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience. This may include experience gained in employment, education, or during career breaks (such as time out to care for dependants).
For further details on the Museum please see our website www.oum.ox.ac.uk. Please contact Head of Operations Wendy Shepherd using the contact details below.
Closing date: Monday October 15th - noon
Interview date: 2nd November 2018
Contact: Wendy Shepherd wendy.shepherd@oum.ox.ac.uk or 01865 272966
Assistant Keeper Grade II, Preventive Conservation
The National Museum of Ireland is seeking applications from suitable candidates to fill the post of Assistant Keeper Grade II, Preventive Conservation in the Conservation Department, National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7. This is a full time position.
Brief description of position:
Conservation is a busy Department engaged in the preservation, investigation and conservation of the collections. The Conservation Department of the National Museum of Ireland is primarily located in Collins Barracks, Dublin with further facilities at some of our other Dublin sites and in the Museum of Country Life, Mayo. Conservation cares for in excess of 4,000,000 objects in the Museum’s collections across the four curatorial Divisions (Irish Antiquities, Natural History, Irish Folklife and Art and Industrial division). In addition, the Conservation Department teach university degree modules, including one on Museum Environment for an MA in Museum Studies.
The post holder will be based primarily in the Conservation Department, Collins Barracks, but will work across all NMI sites. The post holder is expected to have training and experience in an object conservation discipline and significant experience in Preventive Conservation and Collection Care. The post holder will be expected to carry out preventive conservation across all collections areas, and to oversee and influence the work of other staff, volunteers and contractors in matters of collection care.