The Natural History Museum of Denmark is seeking an experienced natural history conservator to establish and manage a Conservation Unit which is to be established at the NHMD.
The position is available from 1 August 2021 or as soon thereafter. Currently the position is funded for a 3 year period with a possibility for extension, if funding can be obtained.
In the coming years, the primary focus of the Conservation Unit will be to conserve, prepare and install objects for the new permanent galleries which are currently being developed in connection with the build of a new national Natural History Museum in the midst of Copenhagen. Currently, seven exhibition core groups are developing the content of the new permanent galleries, which are planned to open to the public in October 2024.
The objects to be prepared for the new exhibits include mainly specimens from the museum’s vast collections, but will also include preparations of new acquisitions and taxidermy.
Beside managing and coordinating the preparation efforts, once the Conservation Unit is etablished (see responsibilities of this unit below), the initial tasks of the Head of Conservation will be to map and plan for the preparation needs in regard to the object requirements of the seven core exhibitions teams, develop a hiring strategy based on those needs, and subsequently employ relevant preparator specialists – either inhouse or via outsourcing to private contractors.
The museum wishes to ensure that the preparations on display in the new galleries will be state of the art, while ensuring compliance with international museum standards and best practices. It is the overall responsibility of the Head of Conservation to fulfill these goals within the current deadline and budget.
The ideal candidate has documented international experience in preparing objects for and setting up larger natural history exhibitions. Besides having extensive knowledge of all aspects of preparation of natural history objects, the successful candidate should be comfortable heading a larger interdisciplinary team and be able to work in a fast-paced environment with many collaborators; curators, collection managers, exhibition staff, designers and external contractors.