Internship - Universal Science Curator

Are you ready to put theory into practice?

The Natural History Museum is a world-class scientific institution and one of the most popular visitor attractions in the UK. It is a diverse and exciting place to work, that needs bright, creative and talented people.

Manchester Museum Manchester Museum is home to one of the largest and most important collections of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the UK. The collection includes objects from prehistoric Egypt (c. 10,000 BC) to the Byzantine era, up to around AD 600. Our three Ancient Worlds galleries highlight our collections from Manchester and the region, and from ancient civilizations such as Greece, Rome and Egypt.

Internship Opportunity at the Natural History Museum and Manchester Museum

An exciting internship opportunity has arisen within the UK National Programme: Collections team at the Natural History Museum in partnership with Manchester Museum.

The Programme has two active projects. These are:
1. UK Pilot Collections Information System (naturedata)
A Pilot UK Collections Information System developed in collaboration with the Collections Trust. This system will contain collection meta data on UK collections that can easily be searched by researchers, scientists, collections managers and curators to answer the common questions many natural science curators are asked: where are all of the butterflies in the UK?
2. Collections for All: natural science collections
A series of knowledge exchange or scoping workshops on subjects relevant to natural science collections (RISK, handling, encouraging clinical research use, and the value of social media). An output of each workshop is a toolkit blog is published on a website: Collections for All: natural science collections. The blogs are aimed at non-natural science curators.

The role
We are seeking a volunteer for an internship based at the Natural History Museum. You will work closely with the Project Lead, the Project Co-ordinator, #naturedata Project Manager (NHM) and Head of Collections, and a Curator at Manchester. You will be mentored and coached by the Project Lead (NHM), and mentored by the Head of Collections at Manchester Museum. Every day support and management will be provided by the Project Co-ordinator (NHM).

Your work with us may include:
UK Pilot Collections Information System (naturedata)

Researching key species from each museum’s data and share this narrative via the website.
Developing a communication plan around the key species and website: blog, tweet, and social media etc.
Collecting and correlate meta data from the UK museums.
Create a newsletter and compile stories.
Assist with events.

Collections for All: natural science collections

Setting up a twitter account and creating a communications plan.
Marketing and promoting the website
Assisting with the editing and publishing of commissioned blogs.
Assist with events
Contributing your ideas and recent experience in internal staff discussion seminars on topics of current museological interest
Sharing your knowledge and expertise via a blog and twitter account.

You will gain experience in a national museum and major partner museum for the UK natural science data project #naturedata and will have the opportunity to visit a variety of UK natural science museums.

Note: Some of the information above may change nearer the date due to shifting project schedules; however this provides a rough outline of the kinds of activities you will be involved in and the experience you will enjoy at the museums.

Availability

This recruitment is for a summer internship between June to August. There is one vacancy available.

To apply for this internship you will ideally be available 4-5 days per week (Monday –Friday, 9.30 -17.00) for six weeks or part time for 12 weeks.

Training
Throughout the internship, you will receive valuable experience in collections projects within the Natural History Museum, and the UK. You will be integrated into all aspects of office life, and considered a vital part of the team.

Volunteers are warmly invited to attend the Natural History Museum’s induction and encouraged to see other areas ‘behind the scenes’ and to visit the main museum galleries throughout their time so that they can begin to understand the breadth of work undertaken here, the diversity of the natural world and the importance of museum collections / departments in general.

All necessary role-related training will be provided on-site here at the Natural History Museum. Financial support is provided for accommodation, travel and subsistence.

For more information on the Reward & Expenses systems in place to support our volunteers/interns please click on the button at the top of this page marked 'Role specification'.

The deadline to apply for this volunteer opportunity is: midnight 17/5/2015.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Role competences:
Who are we looking for?

We are looking for one enthusiastic intern with excellent oral and written communication skills and a passion for natural history collections. IT skills and experience in working with social media, Microsoft Office and Excel is a must. Applicants must be 18 or over to apply.

Essential criteria

demonstrable interest in natural sciences and the environment
ability to work in a team
excellent oral and written communication skills
IT Competent in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, social media
strong organisation skills
seeking a career in museums

Desirable Criteria

have completed, or currently studying for, a qualification in museum studies /science communication/ other relevant area
experience of handling specimens/delicate objects
previous work with collections
knowledge or use of collections management systems

Online application process:
Completing the online application

Please answer the following questions to be considered for this role. You will need to enter your answers into the 'competency fields' in your application. Please use one field per answer/competence and use no more than 140 words per field. Please do not attach your CV.

1. Why do you wish to volunteer at natural history museums (Natural History Museum and Manchester Museum) and what attracted you to this opportunity specifically?

2. Please indicate how you meet the role specification and essential / desirable criteria for this volunteer position. It is essential you refer back to the role specification to answer this question and provide examples.

3. Please demonstrate active interest in natural history/science and collections.

4. Please give an example of a project or work where communications and organisational skills were important

5. How would you promote #natureadata, an online searchable system containing metadata on UK natural science collections, through networks, social media and media?

6. You have stated that you are free for 4-5 days per week (Monday –Friday) full time for six weeks or part time for 12 weeks from June 2015 . Please specify: Your availability within this time frame – i.e. which days you are free on and when will you be free to begin your role should you be offered this volunteer position?