Jobs Archive

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

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.

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.

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