Senior Curator Natural Sciences

Based at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Central Bristol

Ref: 25494

Bristol is a vibrant European city with a lively cultural offer. Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives (BMGA) is central to Bristol City Council’s Culture Team and at the heart of Bristol's history, identity and global recognition. BMGA is a ‘Major Partner Museum’ (MPM) receiving funding from Arts Council England (currently assured until April 2018) in addition to its core funding from its governing body, Bristol City Council. The natural science collections comprise over 1 million specimens of geology and biology ranging from pressed plants, taxidermy, entomology and osteology to rocks, minerals and fossils. The geology collection is ‘Designated’ as of national/international significance and the biology collection, although not ‘Designated’ contains specimens of international significance as well as being the largest regional collection of its type in the south west.

An experienced natural science curator is required to cover the maternity leave of the current post holder, for a minimum of 9 months. As well as managing the team of curators in the section (one geologist and two biologists) the successful candidate will be leading work on a temporary exhibition being planned for 2017 and also taking the lead role in an externally funded project to work across the south west of England. This latter project involves liaison with the other natural science curators in the region to develop a skills and training programme that
will extend to wider sector museums to support management of natural sciences collections by non-specialists.

This is an exciting career development opportunity for a natural science curator. As it is of relatively short duration, in addition to a straight forward appointment, possible candidates are encouraged to consider requesting secondment from their existing employer as means of adding to their experience and knowledge, skills which can then be transferred back to the benefit of the institution at the conclusion of the secondment.

The post reports to the Head of Collections & Archives, one of three deputy posts in the Bristol Culture Team.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate the knowledge, aptitude and experience detailed in the Employee Specification.