Jobs Archive
Research Assistant (Human Origins and Behaviour)
The Natural History Museum is one of the world’s leading museums, internationally recognised for its dual role as a centre of excellence in scientific research and as a leader in the presentation of natural history through exhibitions, public programmes, publications and the web.
The Human Origins Research Group in the Department of Earth Sciences is looking to recruit a Research Assistant to support research and administration within the group.
The main role of the Research Assistant will be to assist researchers in the preparation of publications and websites, collecting data (e.g. photography, scanning, 3D microscopy), public engagement activities, answering enquires and teaching.
The Research Assistant will also contribute to collection based research projects relating to human origins and human behaviour and to the collation, analysis and archiving of research data sets.
This is a 3 years full time position, funded by the Calleva Foundation.
Salary: £24,500 per annum plus benefits
Contract: 36 months fixed term contract
Closing date: 9am on Friday 22 April 2016
Role competences:
BEFORE beginning your application - Please read the section below about the ‘Online Application Process’ carefully.
If you wish to be considered for this role you will need to address each of the following competences in the ‘other information’ section of your online application:
1. Post graduate qualification in palaeoanthropology or related discipline
2. Knowledge of hominin fossil record
3. Experience in human taphonomy
4. Knowledge of Palaeolithic bone and antler tools and/or Palaeolithic art
5. Experience working with fragile archaeological materials.
6. Experience working with laser scans, CT scans, microscopy (SEM and 3D microscopy) and/or replication.
7. Expertise in human osteology and/or mammal osteology.
8. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
9. Flexible with a proven ability to work well within a team structure. Well organised with effective time management skills and an ability to undertake multiple tasks through to completion, sometimes working to tight deadlines.
10. Strong attention to detail, with ability to undertake methodical tasks to a high-level of accuracy.
11. Good photographic skills.
Research and Curatorial Assistant (Anthropology and Mammals)
The Natural History Museum is one of the world’s leading museums, internationally recognised for its dual role as a centre of excellence in scientific research and as a leader in the presentation of natural history through exhibitions, public programmes, publications and the web.
The Earth Sciences Department holds collections and researches areas relating to the origins of the planet, the earth’s resources and the evolution of life. The department also houses the Anthropology collections, which include the modern human remains collection of approximately 20,000 individuals, comprised mostly of skeletal remains, and the Fossil Mammal collection. The latter collection comprises over 250,000 specimens, with key British Pleistocene sites well represented.
The successful candidate will assist with a Calleva funded project exploring childhood development and health in past populations using human skeletal assemblages. Responsibilities will include data collection and documentation including osteological recording, 3D imaging, radiography, photography, and sample preparation. In addition, the successful candidate will provide curatorial support for other Calleva-funded work in the department, including imaging and documentation using spreadsheets and the museum’s collections management system (KE-EMu).
This is a 3 years full time position, funded by the Calleva Foundation.
Salary: £24,500 per annum plus benefits
Contract: 36 months fixed term contract
Closing date: 9am on Friday 22 April 2016
Role competences:
BEFORE beginning your application - Please read the section below about the ‘Online Application Process’ carefully.
If you wish to be considered for this role you will need to address each of the following competences in the ‘other information’ section of your online application:
1. Degree in a relevant subject or related discipline
2. Postgraduate qualification with a substantial human osteology / physical anthropology component
3. Expertise in human osteology
4. Experience with, and ability to, handle fragile archaeological/ palaeontological materials
5. Experience of imaging techniques such as laser and CT scanning, radiography and/or microscopy
6. Good photographic skills including post-processing of images
7. Understanding of taxonomic and stratigraphic principles and an ability to recognise basic terms
8. Excellent attention to detail, with ability to undertake methodical tasks to a high-level of accuracy
9. High degree of competence in Microsoft Excel, Outlook and Word and demonstrable experience of using databases (ideally general and specialist collections management software)
10. Well organised with effective time management skills and an ability to complete multiple tasks within tight deadlines
11. Good interpersonal skills with the ability to work well both within a team and on own initiative, and communicate to a variety of different audiences.
Interpretation Developer
Role description:
At the Natural History Museum, we engage our audiences with the natural world in our world class exhibitions and galleries, through the use of our outstanding collection and scientific research. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Natural History Museum’s creative Interpretation Team to work on the Museum’s programme of temporary exhibitions.
Working closely with colleagues across the Museum, including researchers and curators, you will lead on shaping the stories of our exhibitions and how we use interpretation to engage our audiences. This includes developing exhibition content, making sure it is based on relevant science and research, shaping exhibition concepts, narratives, interpretation approaches, visitor journeys, messages and outcomes, as well as taking an active part in the object and specimen selection, ensuring we make best use of the Museum’s world class collections.
Using an audience focused approach and knowledge of best practice in interpretation; you will shape the broader interpretive approach. You will develop interpretation methods that engage intended target audiences, ensuring that our exhibitions and galleries are accessible, interesting, informative and appealing, and suit our audiences’ needs. You will work closely with colleagues across the Museum, as well as external stakeholders, such as exhibition designers, and ideally, you will have an understanding of the exhibition design development process.
You will have experience of developing and delivering interpretation in a museum setting, or similar, experience of communicating specialist knowledge to non-specialist audiences and the experience of using collections to communicate content. You will have the experience of successfully working with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders, for example curators and other subject specialists, and an ability to solve problems. It is helpful if you have an understanding of the design processes involved in exhibition development as well as an interest in natural sciences. Experience of communicating scientific content in exhibitions or elsewhere is also beneficial, but is not necessarily essential.
Salary: £27,467 per annum plus benefits
Contract: Permanent appointment
Closing date: 9am on Tuesday 19 April 2016
Interviews: w/c Monday 25 April 2016
Role competences:
BEFORE beginning your application - Please read the section below about the ‘Online Application Process’ carefully.
If you wish to be considered for this role you will need to address each of the following competences in the ‘other information’ section of your online application:
1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent qualification) in Science Communication, Museum Studies or other relevant discipline, or equivalent relevant experience
2. Solid experience of planning, developing and delivering engaging interpretation and content in a museum, gallery, heritage site or a similar environment. Experience of planning, developing and delivering interpretation plans and methods for temporary exhibitions, or similar, and ideally, an understanding of the exhibition design development process
3. Experience of using collections to tell compelling stories and communicate messages
4. Experience of adapting interpretation, or other form of communication, to suit the needs of different audiences, with an understanding of how to use audience research to inform how to best engage different audiences
5. Highly skilled in text writing for a variety of audience; including text for museum audiences, as well as any documents that communicate exhibition concepts and content to internal and external stakeholders
6. Confident communicator with the experience of communicating openly, clearly and creatively with different colleagues and stakeholders, including subject specialists (for example, curators or researchers). Solid experience of communicating specialist topics to non-specialist audiences
7. Demonstrable experience of creating and delivering professional and engaging presentations, for example, presenting projects to internal stakeholders
8. Proven ability to inspire internal and external stakeholders about the work of the Museum’s interpretation team, including experience of effectively influencing others
9. Experience of delivering tasks through to completion, with a strong attention to detail and proven ability to solve problems effectively
10. Experience of being able to manage demanding workloads and remain calm under pressure, alongside excellent planning skills with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks, whilst ensuring deadlines are met
11. Proven ability to work successfully both independently as well as part of a team, with a positive ‘can-do’ attitude and willingness to learn. Solid experience of working collaboratively to plan and develop exhibition content, or similar
12. An interest in natural sciences and the experience of developing exhibition interpretation, or other form of communication, for science related topics (desirable)
Online application process:
You are required to provide a response to ALL of the role competences listed above within the ‘Other Information’ section of the online application form (up to 140 words per competence). In order to demonstrate how you meet each competence fully, please provide specific examples from your achievements, knowledge, skills and/or experience.
Research Assistant Professor
The Department of Geological Sciences, University of Florida in association with the Florida Museum of Natural History, invites applications for a Research Assistant Professor with expertise in micropaleontology, especially Foraminifera. The successful candidate will be expected to improve the stratigraphic and systematic microfossil collections at the Florida Museum of Natural History, develop independent research projects utilizing those collections, and teach one undergraduate paleontology course one other course as appropriate. This is a twelve-month, full-time, time-limited, non-tenure track position. It is renewable annually upon successful review, with an expected maximum term of three years.
Minimum Requirements:
A Ph.D. in geology or a closely related field is required.
Additional information
Please contact Dr. John Jaeger, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Florida, P.O. Box 112120, Gainesville, FL 32611-2120.
Research Scientist - Palaeobiologist
The Canadian Museum of Nature (CMN) in Ottawa, Canada is seeking an innovative entry-level or mid-career palaeobiologist to conceive, design and conduct a program of independent and collaborative hypothesis-based research; to publish results of scientific research; to provide advice on the development and use of the CMN’s palaeobiology collections and to work with other museum staff on the development and production of exhibits. The candidate will be expected to undertake significant outreach and use various media to actively promote palaeomammology research and the Fossil Gallery at the CMN to the public in the National Capital Region, nationally and internationally.
NOTE: A formal procedure for promotion based on achievements is in place to develop the career path of CMN’s research scientists. An excellent benefits package comes with the position.
OPEN TO: Employees of the Canadian Museum of Nature and the general public who meet the following qualifications. Candidates must legally entitled to work in Canada.
LANGUAGE EQUIREMENTS: English essential; conversational French an asset.
EDUCATION: Ph.D. in palaeontology or related sciences, with a specialization in the Cenozoic mammal palaeoecology.
EXPERIENCE: The candidate will be trained and experienced in comparative anatomy, quantitative palaeobiology and phylogenetic systematics, have a proven publication record, use updated technology including 3D digitization to aid in fossil reconstruction and functional morphology, and have an active fieldwork program with particular but not exclusive emphasis on Canada. They should have experience in raising grants and external funds for research projects as well as presenting research results to both scientific audiences and the general public. They must be comfortable with a collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach to projects. Experience working in a museum context is an asset.
Assistant Conservator
Closing Date: Monday 25th April
Expected interview date: Wednesday 11th May
We are looking to appoint an Assistant Conservator for a fixed term post until 31 December 2018.
The post is within the Conservation Unit of the Museum and Archives department at the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS).
The RCS has two museums: the Hunterian Museum, which is open to the public, and the Wellcome Museum of Anatomy and Pathology (WMAP), which has restricted access. Due to nature of the specimens on display in the latter, it holds a Human Tissue Authority licence that restricts access to individuals from a surgical, medical or relevant profession who need to study human anatomy and pathology.
The Assistant Conservator will provide conservation support for the RCS museums' collections, with particular emphasis on the medical and comparative collections that comprise the Hunterian Museum, the WMAP and associated stored study collections.
They will also provide conservation support to prepare the collections for Project 2020, which involves the redevelopment of the RCS's Lincoln's Inn Fields buildings.
This will include preparing and packing collections to be decanted off-site, and assisting with the planning and implementation of all moves.
You will have a relevant qualification and demonstrable experience of working in a museum or cognate environment.
You will have the ability to work flexibly and as part of the conservation and museums team.
You will be comfortable with handling and working with human and animal tissue.
You will have the sensitivity and confidence to work with specimens of human tissue and ensure that Human Tissue Authority standards are adhered to.
Collections Manager, Natural Sciences
Reporting to the Executive Director, the full-time Collections Manager, Natural Sciences has responsibility for the functional core areas of the collections in the Fairbanks Museum’s trust.
The Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium seeks a Collections Manager with a background in biological or natural science museum collections who has demonstrated proficiency and knowledge in the core functional areas of Collections Management (CM); current practices recognized by the museum industry for CM; conservation practices; has the administrative and planning capabilities expected of the profession; and has a working knowledge of current and emerging technologies to improve CM practices.
The successful candidate will have demonstrated professional experience with a diverse range of biological specimens (including taxidermy mounts, entomological specimens, dried invertebrate specimens, and herbarium specimens), as well as ethnological collections.
The ideal candidate will also have a strong appreciation for related material culture; while the Museum's areas of concentrations are within the natural sciences, particularly zoology, entomology, botany, and earth sciences, the Collections Manager must have the breadth of knowledge to liaise with a broad range of museums in Vermont and beyond. The Collections Manager will, when required, work closely with the Archivist in matters concerning the Museum's archival collection. The Collections Manager will also collaborate with the Director of Exhibits in collections-related matters pertaining to the Museum's displays and exhibits. This is not a research position.
DUTIES
Responsible for the application of collections management policies, plans, and practices, including, but not limited to: accession and deaccession, registration and documentation, cataloguing, preservation, conservation, access, risk management, storage, handling, and inventory.
Work as a critical team member in the collections move and re-organization associated with the completion of a new collections facility in summer 2016.
Monitoring and analysis of environmental conditions of the collections using eclimatenotebook and the PEM2 system.
Responsible for data standards and systems for the input, maintenance, and preservation of collections records using PastPerfect.
Work with Museum staff in the coordinating the of the Museum’s collections for exhibits, education, research, and public information.
Consult with conservators, curators and researchers to advance the preservation, interpretation, and cataloguing of the collections.
Organize, supervise and evaluate volunteers.
Present collections stewardship requirements to staff, volunteers, and trustees.
Obtain funds and other forms of support for stewardship, development, and interpretation of the collections.
Promote the importance of the Museum’s collections through presentations and programs delivered to Museum visitors, community organizations and school groups.
Draft, implement and monitor policies and budgets for the Collections Department.
Serve on the Museum’s Management team.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s in zoology, museum studies with an emphasis on curating science, or closely related discipline required and 4 years of related experience or Master’s in zoology, museum studies with an emphasis on curating science, or closely related discipline with 2 years of related experience. Experience with natural history collections essential. Ability and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends, as needed. Eagerness to live in Vermont’s beautiful and rural Northeast Kingdom.
Conservation Technician
The Natural History Museum is one of the world’s leading museums, internationally recognised for its dual role as a centre of excellence in scientific research and as a leader in the presentation of natural history through exhibitions, public programmes, publications and the web.
Our Conservation Centre has a great opportunity to work in our Airless project team, which aims to carry out preventive conservation techniques to protect palaeontological specimens held at the Natural History Museum which are considered to be at highest risk from pyrite oxidation. This includes specimens from all areas of the collection, from brachiopods to ichthyosaurs.
Working as part of a team, the successful candidate will transport specimens from the storage area, undertake remedial treatment if required and re-house the specimens in individual anoxic enclosures. This will involve handling very delicate, as well as large, heavy specimens. We are looking for self-motivated individuals who show a high degree of manual dexterity and attention to detail, and have the ability to maintain focus and accuracy. Training will be given for specialised treatments.
The data produced by this project will also contribute to future digitisation projects undertaken by the curatorial staff.
The successful candidates will have an interest in museum conservation and palaeontology, and either a BSc or equivalent degree in Conservation or Earth Sciences, or who has proven experience in working in a similar voluntary or paid position with natural history specimens. You will have a working knowledge of Excel software and digital imaging processes, and can follow complex instructions and remain focussed when completing repetitive tasks.
A full role description is available on the Museums website with comprehensive details of the role and the package on offer.
Junior Researcher / Curator
Junior Researcher / Curator (m/f) from abroad: terra mineralia invite applications for a Junior Researcher/Curator from abroad and of non-German nationality for an 18-month limited working period, starting 2016, at the terra mineralia, a permanent exhibition of the TU Bergakademie Freiberg.
Located in the Freudenstein Castle it is one of the biggest mineral exhibitions of the world with 3500 minerals, precious stones and meteorites on show. terra mineralia is known for its changing mineralogical and geological special exhibitions as well as its creative educational programmes.
The fellow project is an evaluation and review about the contemporary role of rare earth
elements (REE) in our daily lives and within global economics and environmental challenges. Modern technologies hardly work or even exist without REE today. The race for these resources already reached a peak in 2010 and the collapse of the current relaxation is just a matter of time.
Due to this highly political and scientific complex topic, the special exhibition “CSI: Freiberg – Murder in terra mineralia. The race for resources” explores new forms of communication: Visitors will solve an interactive criminal case that is part of global resource politics.
Main tasks:
- research on the current demand, techniques and methods, exploring results, market situations, environmental and social challenges regarding REE worldwide, with the focus on potential alternatives to China (focusing on Africa)
- drawing up the outline of a crime story fitting the results of the previous research
- conception, planning and implementation of the special exhibition in cooperation with the
management of terra mineralia (including the acquisition of exhibits and the preparing of print media)
Required qualifications:
- final university degree in geological or mineralogical studies
- verifiable experiences regarding Rare Earth Elements
- spoken and written knowledge of English, level C1 or equivalent
- curatorial experiences
- willingness to cooperate closely with the scholarly staff of the TU Freiberg and the staff of terra mineralia
- ability to work independently, creativity and communication skills
- basic knowledge of German desirable but not essential
Further unalterable requirements:
- non-German nationality
- currently based outside Germany (within or outside Europe)
Remuneration is in accordance with the pay grade 13 TVöD. The German Federal Cultural Foundation is planning an extensive academy programme to support the fellow professionally. Furthermore the fellow gets full assistance in his/her tasks by the management of the museum. The main aim of the fellowship is the fruitful crossing over of expertise from both sites: the museum and its infrastructure as well as the fellow and his/her scientific experiences.
Observatory Explainer
Salary: £18,000 - £22,000 per annum pro rata (£1,756 - £2,146 per annum)
Closing Date: 20 March 2016
The Royal Observatory Greenwich (ROG) is part of Royal Museums Greenwich, which also includes the National Maritime Museum, the Cutty Sark and the Queen's House Gallery. The ROG offers a wide range of programmes seeking to engaging visitors with the past, present and future wonders of astronomy and space science.
The Science Learning Department based at the ROG is looking for an enthusiastic, outgoing individual with a passion for astronomy and space science and an interest in their history to join our Observatory Explainer team.
Observatory Explainers deliver our programme of weekend activities for families, informal groups (scouts, guides, summer schools etc.) and adult visitors and support additional activity for the same audiences at weekends and during the school holidays by working overtime.
Post holders must be both willing and able to accept such additional work.
Working in the Astronomy Learning Centre, the Meridian Courtyard and other locations around the site, they will be responsible for setting up and delivering workshops, science shows, live interpretation, public presentations and other types of activity for the families, informal groups and general visitors.
Training will be provided for specific activities where required.
The post holder will be expected to deliver or support the delivery of these activities, working alone, with other Observatory Explainers or alongside volunteers. The role represents an excellent opportunity to hone your science communication skills.
For full job description please visit http://www.rmg.co.uk/work-services/jobs-volunteering
Closing date: 20 March 2016
Interview date: 29 March 2016
To apply please email a CV and covering letter to recruitment@rmg.co.uk
or post to
Human Resources,
National Maritime Museum,
Park Row,
Greenwich,
London, SE10 9NF
Please also take the time to complete a Diversity Monitoring form.
We regret we are unable to reply to every applicant. If you do not hear from us within three weeks of the closing date please assume you have not been shortlisted.
The Museum holds the 'two ticks' disability symbol and will guarantee an interview to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria. Please indicate clearly in your covering letter if you wish to be considered under this scheme.