Jobs Archive
Assistant Curator of Natural History
Chelmsford Museum has had a Stage 1 pass from the Heritage Lottery Fund to develop a project to redisplay galleries, improve the infrastructure of the Victorian building, Oaklands Park, and build a new café.
We are looking for a temporary, experienced natural sciences curator and the successful candidate will examine existing displays of geology, wildlife taxidermy, Ice Age mammal remains, a popular observation beehive and associated reserve collections.
In addition you will be responsible for examining documentation records, in order to advise the Design Team on the potential for new displays, which will include digital technology, family friendly discovery elements and a closer link to the park in which the museum sits. The collections management database will need updating and previous experience of working on HLF-funded projects would be advantageous.
The successful applicant will be required to work 37 hours per week.
Please note this vacancy is for a fixed term period of up to 9 months.
Chelmsford City Council is committed to safeguarding vulnerable groups and expects all employees to share this commitment. This includes obtaining references and ensuring compliance with the Disclosure and Barring Service process.
Graduate Curator (Natural Sciences)
Shropshire Museums are committed to developing curatorial skills and knowledge. As part of this strategy we have re-designed our structures to enable us to employ a Graduate Curator (Natural Sciences) position for 12 months at the Ludlow Museum Resource Centre.
The position is designed to give a unique entry level opportunity to gain real hands on curatorial experience, with additional rotations across the wider service for 1 to 2 day per week where you will gain invaluable insight into other parts of the service area.
Grade 7, SCP 22, £19,159 per annum, 37 hours per week, Fixed term for 12 months.
Full details and an application pack is available online at http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/
If you’re interested in this position then please email Emma-Kate Lanyon – Curatorial and Collections Team Leader: emma-kate.lanyon@shropshire.gov.uk.
Geologist
Scarborough Museums Trust manages 'Rotunda - the William Smith Museum of Geology', an iconic building opened in 1829 and designed under Smith's guidance to illustrate his principles of correlation and dating by means of fossils.
The Trust seeks to appoint a geologist to further develop its role as the centre of geological activity on the NE Yorkshire coast and moors, including reinvigorating the Dinosaur Coast project, initiating a Geopark proposal and liaising with appropriate geological groups, companies, potential sponsors and supporters.
The appointee will also care for and improve access to the geological collections of Scarborough Museums Trust and improve geological displays in the Rotunda.
The post is for 2 years in the first instance, at a starting salary of £24,000.
Secondment or other flexible working arrangements will be considered.
Further details may be obtained on our website http://www.scarboroughmuseumstrust.com/#!vacancies/cc12
To apply please email CV and covering letter to Ruth Lilley ruth.lilley@smtrust.uk.com
Closing date for applications is Friday 8 April.
General Manager/Curator
This is an exciting opportunity to help run Dinosaur Isle, Britain's first purpose built dinosaur museum, which opened in 2001. Based in Sandown on the Isle of Wight, and meeting its own running costs in recent years, this museum and visitor attraction seeks to be a national centre of excellence in the conservation, interpretation and acquisition of the Island's dinosaurs and diverse geological heritage.
You will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the site and its staff, the curation of its geology and palaeontological collections, and ensuring the delivery of a range of services, including an active education programme, and substantial shop sales area.
Candidates will need substantial management experience in the arts, museum, cultural or visitor attraction sector, alongside their knowledge of museum documentation procedures, standards and databases.
Substantial experience of marketing and of exercising effective budgetary control is also required, alongside an understanding of the tourism industry.
Candidates will hold membership of a relevant professional body.
You will need to be a good communicator, able to lead and inspire, possessing a high level of personal drive and a commitment to meet the expectations of customers.
The Isle of Wight Council is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
This council and its schools recruit according to the council's Safer Recruitment policy and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.
Please view information pack and complete your job application online at www.iwight.com/jobvacancies
Telephone 01983 823134 or email callcentre@iow.gov.uk if you need further information about applying.
Please note only applications completed and submitted online by the closing date will be accepted.
For further information or an informal discussion please contact Richard Smout on 01983 823820
Richard Smout
Isle of Wight Heritage Service Manager
richard.smout@iow.gov.uk
Collections Officer
The Museums and Archives Department includes the Hunterian Museum, the Wellcome Museum of Anatomy and Pathology and the College Archive collections.
The Hunterian Museum contains one of Britain’s greatest medical collections, covering the history of surgery and anatomy from the 17th century to the present, including over 3000 anatomical and pathological preparations collected by the surgeon John Hunter (1728-1793). The museum runs an active programme of events and exhibitions and attracts over 80,000 visitors a year.
The Wellcome Museum of Anatomy and Pathology contains the College’s modern teaching collections. It contains over two thousand anatomical and pathological specimens as well as other resources. It is open to all individuals with a surgical, medical or relevant profession.
The College’s archive collections provide a unique resource illustrating the development of surgery and the surgical profession. This includes the College’s institutional records documenting the College’s activities throughout its history, and a diverse range of deposited manuscript and archive collections relating to medicine and surgery from the 16th to 20th centuries. Our archives are available to the public for research by appointment and we have regular exhibitions displaying the fascinating content of the collections.
Further information can be found on the College website:
http://www.rcseng.ac.uk/library-museums-and-archives
You will have a relevant post-graduate/professional qualification and demonstrable experience of working with museum collections. You will have a good understanding of museums documentation and experience of using collections databases, in addition to an understanding of human anatomy and medical terminology. With strong interpersonal skills, you will be someone who can work both independently and collaboratively and communicate effectively with a wide range of people. You will be able to organise and prioritise your workload to meet tight deadlines. You will have the sensitivity and confidence needed to work with specimens of human tissue and ensure that Human Tissue Authority standards are adhered to. Interview date - Friday 11th March
Exhibition Development Manager
Dorset County Museum is at an exciting and pivotal moment in its 170 year history. Having secured a Stage One pass for a major grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund in May 2015, it is a embarking on a £13.4 million capital expansion project to construct an innovative, visitor-focussed 'Collections Discovery Centre'. This will completely overhaul the Museum - its galleries, exhibitions, storage facilities, working spaces and retail offer - to produce an organisation able to better conserve and interpret Dorset's internationally significant heritage and be ready to meet the expectations of modern visitors.
A critically important member of the project team, the successful candidate will lead the curation of a suite of four new permanent galleries at Dorset County Museum.
Showcasing and celebrating the fine and decorative art, natural history, unique landscape and social history of Dorset, the post-holder will be responsible for writing the overall interpretation plan and developing detailed design briefs for inclusion within the Museum's HLF stage two application in May 2017.
They will work closely with the Museum's existing team of Collections Management staff and volunteers, Architectural Design Team, Activity Planner and Exhibition Designers, the Head of Marketing and PR, the Board of Trustees, volunteers and other project team members where appropriate.
The normal working week will be 37.5 hours, Monday to Friday, but the role may also require the Exhibition Development Manager to be flexible and work unusual hours.
Due to the nature of the funding for this project, the role is a fixed term contract until 2 June 2017 (with the potential for renewal to 31 May 2020 subject to the outcome of the Museum's HLF Round Two bid).
PLEASE NOTE: Applications must be made using the application form obtainable from:
The Secretary,
Dorset County Museum,
High West Street,
Dorchester,
Dorset, DT1 1XA
or (preferably) secretary@dorsetcountymuseum.org
Learning and Events Assistant
The Natural History Museum at Tring was once the personal collection of Lionel Walter, the second Lord Rothschild. Upon Lord Rothschild’s death in 1937, the Museum and his collections were presented to the Nation to become part of the Natural History Museum.
All Museum staff provide a wide range of services to both Museum visitors and internal customers. From the moment the visitor walks over the threshold into the Museum or into its grounds, Museum staff are responsible for ensuring any visit is an enjoyable, safe and rewarding experience. Our focus is on maintaining an excellent visitor experience through standards of maintenance, presentation, customer care and access, which along with the efficient use of the group’s resources plays a vital part in the continuing success of the Museum.
The Learning and Events team’s aim is to provide our customers and staff with services of the highest quality. This means that all members of staff will need to take a flexible approach in responding to the challenge of meeting customer needs. All staff are also encouraged to continuously seek to improve the standard and nature of services provided to visitors to the Natural History Museum at Tring and to enhance their own contribution through personal commitment and appropriate training.
The role of the Learning and Events Assistant is to assist the Tring Management Team in the delivery of the Natural History Museum’s mission and vision, by enabling the provision of a modern effective museum service.
You will assist with and provide support for the delivery of the public programme; this includes informal events, workshops and activities for schools and a temporary exhibitions programme. The Learning and Events team consists of 3 assistants supervised by a Learning and Events Officer, all managed by the Interpretation and Learning Manager.
Salary: £14,315 per annum plus benefits (based on a full time equivalent of £18,405 per annum)
Hours: 28 hours per week excluding lunch breaks (3 week shift pattern including some weekend shifts)
Contract: Permanent appointment
Closing date: 9am on Thursday 11 February 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. A degree in or equivalent experience/background knowledge of a relevant subject, for example zoology, environmental science, natural sciences.
2. Excellent communication skills with demonstrable experience of working effectively as part of a team.
3. Experience of working with children formally and informally.
4. Experience of working in a customer-facing environment with an understanding of what constitutes excellent customer service.
5. Proven experience of carrying out administrative tasks and record keeping using information technology.
6. Excellent IT skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel, and use of the internet.
7. Good organisational skills, demonstrating the ability to set and manage conflicting priorities.
8. Flexible and adaptable working methods, including the ability to adopt new skills and processes in a fast-paced environment.
9. An interest in, and enthusiasm for, the natural world.
10. Creative thinker with the ability to recognise new opportunities.
Deputy Keeper of Natural History
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 and natural history gallery – all surrounded by 16 acres of beautiful Gardens offering breathtaking views across London.
The Horniman’s Natural History collection contains over a quarter of a million biological and geological specimens of local, national and worldwide origin. We continue to develop the collection through research and acquisition, focussing on its potential to engage audiences with science and encourage a deeper understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the natural world. Each year the Horniman welcomes over 860,000 visitors and we deliver a wide range of events and innovative displays as part of a popular and imaginative public programme and lively digital engagement strategy.
Following the recent review of our Natural History collections and major improvements to our exhibitions and displays, we are looking for a committed and forward-thinking Deputy Keeper of Natural History with the skills and experience to help us develop, preserve and interpret our collections and communicate Natural Science-based subjects to the broadest audience.
You will be an enthusiastic and confident communicator, an excellent team player and have a strong affinity with the Horniman’s mission and values. You’ll have a relevant degree, a good track record of curating Natural History collections across a range of disciplines, extensive knowledge of the natural sciences and experience of conducting collections based research. You’ll work with your museum colleagues and external project partners to support and deliver a range of collections-based projects and public programmes.
The closing date for submitting CVs and covering statements is 10am on Wednesday 17 February 2016. Interviews will be held on Thursday 10 March 2016.
The Horniman is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
Senior Project Manager (Deputy Chief Operating Officer of DEWORM3 Project)
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 Museum has a long history of working in the area of disease research, most notably on understanding the identity, nature and diversification of parasites and vectors. Our unique selling points have included: expert identification, biology, life cycle elucidation and broader ecology. The Museum is undertaking a five-year project, in the first instance, to test the feasibility of eliminating soil-transmitted helminths and develop cost-effective methods for scaling up elimination programs.
This role is a senior position that also provides support for the Chief Operating Officer (COO) on the scientific and operational direction of the DEWORM3 project. The post holder will be required to represent the project COO at key meetings and take decisions on their behalf. You will lead a team of five staff: Data Manager, Communications Manager, Project Manager, Trial Liaison Manager & Project Administrator/PA to ensure the successful implementation of the trials in multiple locations, manage budgets in line with the NHM financial compliance framework, develop standardised data collection tools, and fulfil funder reporting requirements. You will also advocate for the project and keep abreast of developments in the field of NTD elimination.
Role competences:
We are seeking an experienced project manager with a background in the science of NTDs and a proven history of leading staff to achieve research goals. You should be passionate about NTD elimination, able to communicate with a diverse audience, and comfortable working in multicultural settings.
The Chief Operating Officer for this project will initially be based in Seattle, Washington, USA, with regular travel to London. There will be a small team housed in the NHM in London, additional team members in Seattle, and advisory group members based in several locations globally. Due to the multi-country nature of the project, the successful applicant for this role will be required to work hours that span the work day in several locations (approximately 10:00-18:30 GMT). These times may shift to core hours (09:00-17:30) when the COO is in the UK, but will be reviewed at regular intervals. This role involves extensive international travel.
Salary: £55,000 per annum plus benefits
Contract: 5 years fixed term contract, subject to extension by agreement with the Gates Foundation
Hours: 41 hours per week including lunch breaks
Closing date: 9am on Friday 12 February 2016
Online application process:
To apply, please submit to Chris Wrigley at c.wrigley@nhm.ac.uk:
· A comprehensive curriculum vitae giving details of relevant achievements in recent posts as well as your education and professional qualifications.
· A covering letter that summarises your interest in this post, providing evidence of your ability to match the criteria outlined in the Person Specification.
· Details of your latest salary and notice period
Post Doctoral Research Assistant (PDRA) - Hydroscape: Gene flow and genetic diversity in fresh waters
Role description:
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.
This is one of two projects (supervised by Beth Okamura and David Bass) based at the Natural History Museum that form fundamental components of a larger NERC-funded multidisciplinary research programme (Hydroscape) investigating how connectivity and multiple stressors interact to influence biodiversity and ecosystem function in freshwaters. Although connectivity is recognised to be a multi-faceted and quintessential property of aquatic ecosystems there is a critical lack of knowledge on how biodiversity and ecosystem function respond to variation in stress factors that may be influenced by different levels of connectivity. This is in part due to a long tradition of focusing on individual stressors and sites. The overall research programme is designed to gain essential insights for future management of freshwaters by working across a hierarchy of spatial and temporal scales and covering a range of freshwater habitat types in different landscapes to address these issues. A central proposition of the project is that increasing connectivity entails a basic tension between desirable (promoting resilience) and undesirable (increasing the spread and impact of stressors) outcomes.
Gene flow is an essential component of the metapopulation dynamics of freshwater organisms, demonstrates how populations are linked (via connectivity) within and among sites across the landscape, and introduces novelty promoting resilience to environmental change by facilitating adaptive potential (enhancing genetic diversity). This project focuses on how gene flow and genetic diversity are impacted by multiple stressors and connectivity by investigating taxa within the same group that vary in dispersal capacity (using freshwater bryozoans as a model system). Microsatellites have already been developed and optimised for the bryozoan taxa. The project will be linked with a second project at the NHM on disease distributions and connectivity as bryozoans are primary host of one of the fish diseases investigated.
Candidates for the project should have a PhD in population genetics, phylogeography or related field of molecular evolution/ecology and will thus have experience in molecular biology, population genetic and statistical analyses and a demonstrated organisational capacity for creating, maintaining and analysing large datasets. The work will entail extensive fieldwork to collect freshwater bryozoans from multiple sites in three regions of the UK (Norfolk Broads, Lake District, Greater Glasgow), examination of material for parasitic infections (myxozoans) by PCR and stereomicroscopy, microsatellite genotyping, and population genetic analyses. There would be opportunity for further development of modelling skills via interactions with modellers to elucidate how gene flow and diversity are influenced by measures of connectivity (e.g. hydrology, bird densities, human activity, etc.) and stressors (e.g. disease, pollution, eutrophication, heavy metals).
Salary: £32,500 per annum plus benefits
Contract: 30 months fixed term contract
Hours: 41 hours per week including lunch breaks
Closing date: 9am on Monday 8 February 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. A PhD involving molecular taxonomy or related field of molecular evolution/ecology
2. Familiarity with molecular biology (wetlab)
3. Experience with bioinformatics relevant to analysis of next-generation sequencing data
4. Good understanding of DNA-based taxonomy and barcoding
5. Statistical analysis
6. Experience in working effectively with others
7. Production of scientific publications
8. Ability to train and supervise complementary research conducted by MSc or PhD students
9. Ability to contribute to development of a research proposal