Jobs Archive
Post Doctoral Research Assistant (PDRA) - Hydroscape: Disease distribution in the freshwater landscape
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 David Bass and Beth Okamura) 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.
Many diseases of freshwater organisms are emerging in new geographic locations and increasing in prevalence and severity, often in association with environmental stress. This project will investigate how multiple stressors and connectivity impact the distributions and abundances of selected disease agents (spores, oocysts, eDNA) in water samples. The samples will be variously processed to assay disease agents of fish (Dermocystidium - protists causing disease in eels and other fish, and a myxozoan causing proliferative kidney disease in trout and salmon), an otter disease agent (Toxoplasma gondii, suspected to be introduced via run-off of cat faeces) and a human disease agent (Cryptosporidium, a protist entering waters via run-off from agriculture and urban wastewater).
Candidates for the project should have a PhD involving molecular taxonomy or related field of molecular evolution/ecology and will thus have skills in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and statistical analyses and demonstrated organisational capacities for creating, maintaining and analysing large datasets. The work will entail extensive fieldwork to collect and process environmental samples from multiple sites in three regions of the UK (Norfolk Broads, Lake District, Greater Glasgow) in spring, summer and autumn. Samples will be subsequently analysed using previously developed qPCR approaches (for myxozoan, T. gondii, and Cryptosporidium) and amplicon sequencing to produce MiSeq libraries (for Dermocystidium), plus relevant bioinformatics analyses. There would be opportunity for further development of modelling skills via interactions with modellers to elucidate how distributions and abundances of disease agents are influenced by measures of connectivity (e.g. hydrology, bird densities, human activity, etc.) and stressors (e.g. pollution, eutrophication, heavy metals). The project is also expected to generate insights on disease as a stressor with impacts on hosts, biodiversity and ecosystem function.
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. PhD involving population genetics, phylogeography or related field of molecular evolution/ecology
2. Familiarity with molecular biology (wetlab)
3. Experience in studying population connectivity
4. Statistical analysis
5. Experience in working effectively with others
6. Production of scientific publications
7. Ability to train and supervise complementary research conducted by MSc or PhD students
8. Ability to contribute to development of research proposals
Geological Conservation Internship
The Geological Conservation Internship is hosted/funded by The Clothworkers' Foundation. National Museums Scotland is one of the UK’s leading museums services with one of the largest multidisciplinary collections in the UK.
Specific training and work-based activities include:
Conservation Principles
Introduction to the collections that will form the basis for the internship
Cleaning techniques in Collections and Collection Handling
Storage Principles - rehousing collections and unwrapping specimens
Documentation
Presenting - the candidate will be encouraged to present their work at a conference
Documentation Manager
Documentation Manager (Ref:CMSP3.16)
Horniman Museum and Gardens
UK, England, London
Salary: c. £36,400 per annum
Hours of work: 35 hours a week, Monday to Friday
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.
We are looking for a Documentation Manager to ensure that effective collections information and documentation policies, procedures, systems and standards are managed, maintained and developed across the Horniman.
Based at our Study Collections Centre, you will provide an efficient and effective documentation service, supporting the Horniman's day-to-day work and internal and external projects and managing the collections documentation, library and archive functions.
With a relevant degree or equivalent qualification in either an academic subject appropriate to the collections or a relevant area of museum practice, you will have significant practical experience of managing, developing and setting collections documentation standards and procedures.
You will have experience of acting as an administrator for a collections management database such as Mimsy and knowledge of the potential of new technologies in delivering access to museum collections and information about them.
You will have a successful track record of managing staff and other resources to deliver corporate objectives, with excellent communication skills.
To apply, visit our website: www.horniman.ac.uk/about/jobs
The closing date for completed applications is 10am on Monday 8th February 2016.
Interviews will be held on Thursday 25th February 2016
The Horniman is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
Museum Assistant
Museum Assistant
North Devon Council
UK, England, Barnstaple
The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon is a small multi-disciplinary museum which cares for over 75,000 items of archaeology, natural history, art and social history. We have an active temporary exhibitions programme and a strong track-record of community engagement.
We are currently looking for a friendly, well-organised person who is passionate about North Devon's history to join our team.
As Museum Assistant you will:
- Take day to day responsibility for the care of and access to our collections, including documentation and preventive conservation.
- Be responsible for the administration and implementation of our temporary exhibitions programme, and carry out practical duties including hanging, mount-making and labelling.
- Be part of a team ensuring the safety and security of the building and collections
We are dependent on our volunteers to maintain our programme of events and activities.
The post-holder must be committed to empowering volunteers at all levels of the museum's operations.
We are looking for applicants educated to A Level and with excellent organisational, IT and customer care skills and experience of working with museum collections and volunteers.
A curatorial qualification would be an advantage.
Project Assistant, Off-Site Collections Move Project
Oxford University Museum of Natural History is seeking an experienced museum collections officer to assist with the movement of off-site stored collections to a new facility.
We are seeking a skilled team player with experience of preparing, packing and moving zoological, geological and archival collections. The position requires detailed record-keeping, a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. The duties require the ability to lift and move moderate weights throughout a working day, to work in a standing position for part of the day, to use stairs, and to utilize trolleys and other moving equipment to move heavy objects. A proven ability to manage and prioritise a varied workload in an efficient and co-operative manner is essential. As part of your online application, you will be required to upload a covering letter that shows how you meet the selection criteria, and a full CV.
Assistant Curator
While the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS) considers a redevelopment, we are recruiting a team of fixed term project staff to support the library, museums and archives departments.
These staff will fulfil a number of roles, including taking on operational responsibilities to allow current managers to focus on project tasks, which includes preparation of the collections for potential decanting off-site.
The RCS has two museums: the Hunterian Museum, which is open to the public, and the Wellcome Museum of Anatomy and Pathology, which has restricted access.
Due to nature of the specimens on display in the Wellcome Museum, the museum holds a Human Tissue Authority licence that restricts access to individuals with a surgical, medical or relevant profession who need to study human anatomy and pathology.
We are looking to appoint an Assistant Curator to work with the anatomy, pathology and odontological collections housed in the Wellcome Museum of Anatomy and Pathology.
The Assistant Curator will support the various users of the Wellcome Museum during individual and group visits, courses and other events.
They will develop the educational and training resources offered by the Wellcome Museum, working with a team of medical volunteers to improve specimen labels and other information.
They will support the Curator of the Wellcome Museum of Anatomy and Pathology in ensuring the museum and its collections meet Human Tissue Authority standards.
You will have a relevant degree and demonstrable experience of working in a museum or cognate environment.
You will have a good understanding of medical terminology and a proven record in collections management.
With strong interpersonal and organisational skills, you will be someone who can work both independently and collaboratively and communicate effectively with a wide range of colleagues and audiences.
You will have the sensitivity and confidence to work with specimens of human tissue and ensure that Human Tissue Authority standards are adhered to.
Expecting to interview w/c 8th Feb.
Downloads
Application Form
http://www.rcseng.ac.uk/about/working/docs/hr_application_form.doc
Guidance notes
http://www.rcseng.ac.uk/about/working/guidancenotes.html
Job Description and Person Specification
http://www.rcseng.ac.uk/about/working/docs/job_descriptions/02_16
http://www.rcseng.ac.uk/about/working/index.html/view?vacancy_id=1310
Trainee Science Explainer
The Centre for Life is a pioneering science village in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne. Life is an independent and self-funding charitable trust. We receive no public funding.
Our mission is to ignite and nurture a curiosity in everyone for science, technology, engineering and maths and encourage the next generation of STEM professionals. We support world-class science in the region and make a positive economic, social and cultural contribution to North East England and its communities.
Life Science Centre, which opened in May 2000, is the only purpose-built Science Centre in the north, attracting over 200,000 visitors per year. Life's varied and eclectic public engagement programme attracts a broad audience including families, adults, pre-schoolers and teenagers. Life also has the biggest schools' science workshop programme in any European museum or Science Centre.
Trainee Science Explainer
Hourly rates of pay (dependent on NMW age band): -
New Starter: £6.94
Permanent: £8.28 after completion of training and 12 months continuous service.
Assisting in the promotion and enhancement of the Centre for Life, your role will be to make a visit to Life and learning about science, interesting, exciting, entertaining, engaging and fun.
You will deliver informal education to a wide range of audiences.
Your role will include teaching hands-on science workshops to school groups, delivering scripted science and planetarium shows to the general public and explaining the exhibition in terms of its context, how it works, its purpose, its place in history and current and future links to other exhibits.
You will also ensure that Health and Safety standards are met at all times.
The successful candidate will have at least a 2:1 degree or equivalent qualification in a STEM subject with a broad general STEM education at A level.
Hours will vary according to business demand.
Please note that successful applicants will be subject to a DBS check. Details of our DBS policy are available on request.
To apply for this vacancy, please send a letter of application and current CV to
Claire Adams, Corporate Services Director,
International Centre for Life Trust,
Management Suite,
Times Square,
Newcastle upon Tyne
or by email to claire.adams@life.org.uk by Monday, 25th January 2016.
The International Centre for Life is an equal opportunities employer and is accredited with the Equality Standard Gold Award.
Registered Charity Number: 1059607
INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR LIFE
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Science Explainer
The Centre for Life's mission is to inspire curiosity in science through an imaginative programme of exhibitions and events.
RELATIONSHIPS
1. Responsible to: Head of Operations, Science Centre
2. Important Internal Relationships: All those employed within the Centre, specifically the Head of Operations, Head of Education and Head of Public Engagement.
3. Important External Relationships: All visitors to the Centre, the local business community, organisations, suppliers and those employed at, or visiting the wider ICFL site.
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The post holder will report to the Head of Operations but work in three teams to deliver all aspects of formal and informal science communication to the public, educational groups and wider audiences.
The work will include performance and teaching in the centre, in our suite of education labs and on outreach outside the centre.
The most important aspect of the job will be to make the Life experience exciting, entertaining, educational and fun.
KEY TASKS:
To enhance the visitor experience to the centre by:
i) Encouraging interaction with exhibits, staff and each other.
ii) Providing visitors with accurate and helpful information.
iii) Assisting visitors requiring assistance with a prompt, caring and helpful attitude.
To engage visitors by making learning about science exciting, entertaining, interesting and fun by:
i) Being knowledgeable about all aspects of the Life offer.
ii) Explaining the exhibits in context.
iii) Delivering science theatre, planetarium shows and other activities which are engaging and entertaining to a wide variety of audience.
iv) Delivering workshops to schools and other organized groups in Lifelab and other locations.
v) Delivering outreach into schools, at festivals and to the public, often in unexpected locations.
vi) Preparing and developing new activities and workshops for delivery as above.
vii) Participating in a continuing programme of education to stay up to date in a rapidly changing environment.
Ensure that Health and Safety standards are met by:
i) Contributing to a high standard of tidiness, cleanliness and organization throughout the centre and Lifelab.
ii) Promptly reporting exhibit malfunctions to the technical department.
iii) Directing visitor flow to maximize safety during busy times.
To undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the position as requested by management.
INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR LIFE
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Science Explainer
The post holder will be appointed to train in the key tasks of the Science Explainer, with a view to the trainee becoming a Science Explainer after completing the company's training programme for the post.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Interested and enthusiastic about science and science communication
- Self motivated and enthusiastic
- Able to work on own and as part of a team
- Outgoing and resourceful
- Confident and approachable
- Well organised
- Smart appearance
- Calm under pressure
- Responsive to visitor needs
- Able to think analytically
- Good time management
QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
Essential
- Good knowledge of science in its broadest sense
- Good degree or other appropriate qualification in relevant STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subject
- Excellent communication of written and spoken English
- Basic IT skills
Desirable
- Foreign language skills
- Current driving licence
- Qualifications in First aid or Health and Safety
EXPERIENCE
Desirable
- Previous experience in a leisure or educational environment
- Working with the public, or with young people
- Experience of teaching or instructing
- Experience of performing; acting or musical
For progression to science explainer we expect our trainees to develop the following skills:
- Excellent presentation skills
- Clarity of explanation
- Ability to hold an audience's attention
- Ability to develop workshops and demonstrations
- Ability to respond appropriately to a wide variety of different groups
- An understanding of the operational needs of the organization
Herbarium Collections Manager
Herbarium Collections Manager
Kew Gardens
UK, England, Richmond
This is an exciting opportunity to become a member of Kew's Collections Team, with responsibility for maintaining and developing high standards in the management and care of Kew's internationally important preserved plant collections.
You will manage a small team based in the Herbarium's busy Collections Management Unit which is responsible for freezing, recording, distributing and tracking preserved specimen consignments (approx. 60,000 specimens per year), making them available for scientific research both at Kew and institutes worldwide.
Hours of work: Full time
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £22,056 - £29,372 depending on skills and experience
Location: Kew Gardens, Richmond
Closing Date: 22/01/2016
Documents
Employee benefits- RBG Kew.pdf
https://careers.kew.org/wd/plsql/wd_portal.view_blob?p_web_site_id=4671&...
Job Profile Herbarium Collections Manager.pdf
https://careers.kew.org/wd/plsql/wd_portal.view_blob?p_web_site_id=4671&...
More details
Kew is the world-leader in plant diversity science, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a major visitor attraction, that shows the importance of plants in all our lives. Kew's mission is to inspire and deliver science-based plant conservation worldwide, enhancing the quality of life.
You will have a relevant first degree or equivalent experience in collections management, be an excellent communicator with the flexibility to manage your own activities and those of a small team. This role requires attention to detail, a proven ability to follow precise procedures and accurately document and track specimen records through appropriate IT tools. You will contribute towards developing policy in order to attain Museum Accreditation, have knowledge of the SPECTRUM collections management standard and an understanding of relevant legislation governing the movement of plant genetic resources.
We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
Apply Now
https://careers.kew.org/wd/plsql/wd_portal_cand.form?p_web_site_id=4671&...
Curator (Collections)
An opportunity has arisen within Fife Cultural Trust for the post of Curator (Collections) to cover for maternity leave for up to one year. Your confident and outgoing personality will enable you to work closely with the other Curator (Collections) in the curatorial team. The post is based in Kirkcaldy, although the role does have responsibilities and requires travel throughout Fife.
Required Skills:
You will have gained experience in a similar role and will have developed relevant skills in Collection Management, Project Management and the use of ICT whilst working in museums and galleries. Projects will include working on plans for the new Collections Centre in Glenrothes. A relevant postgraduate qualification in Museum Studies/Heritage and exhibition skills are desirable.
Application Instructions:
For further information on this post or an informal discussion please contact Gavin Grant, on 03451 55 55 55 452826 or email gavin.grant@onfife.com
For an application pack please email recruitment.FCT@onfife.com. The closing date for completed applications is midnight on Sunday 10th January 2016.
Collections Manager
Hampshire Cultural Trust cares for the art and museum collections owned by Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council, including archaeology, arts, historic photographs, natural sciences and social and industrial history.
The Collections Manager is responsible for ensuring that information about the collections is recorded and managed to the highest standard and made available to a wide audience.
As Collections Manager you will lead a small team and will have proven experience of working in an Accredited museum and expert knowledge in collections documentation (using Modes Complete or a similar system), making collections information widely available through the use of appropriate media.
Additional you will manage the Winchester City Council and Hampshire County Council collections of historic photographs to preserve them for future generations and increase online use by the general public, researchers and the media
You will be able to demonstrate competency in managing a small team or volunteers, project, time and financial management, effective relationship and network building, excellent communication skills and be self motivated and keen to develop yourself and others.
Required Skills:
Essential Qualifications
• Degree in relevant subject
Desirable Qualifications
• Post graduate qualification in museum studies or similar
• Driving licence
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience
• Ability to demonstrate extensive experience and expertise in collections documentation using Modes Complete or similar systems
• Ability to demonstrate understanding of managing collections and people in an Accredited museum
• Experience of line-managing and training staff and volunteers
• Experience in project management, with well developed financial management and time management skills.
• Ability to build strong and effective relationships and networks in order to achieve the Trust’s objectives.
• Experience of developing, managing and editing online collections websites and contributing content to a range of platforms
• Excellent communication skills at all levels, including oral, written, presentation, briefing and have an understanding of different communications needs of different audience types. Ability to translate technical information into plain English.
• Self motivated and committed to personal development.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience
• Experience of managing and digitising a collection of photographs
• Experience of undertaking rationalisation and disposal projects
• Track record in generating income from image sales and licencing
Application Instructions:
To view the full job summary and person specification please visit our website http://www.hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk/jobs
To apply for this role please send a detailed cover letter showing your suitability for the role along with your CV to hr@hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk