- Collection Care Full-time, 41 hours per week (including one hour paid lunch break) Fixed term (12 months), £ 37,783 per annum Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on 26th February 2025 About the role: The British Museum has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Conservator: Organics (C4B grade) to join the Department of Collection Care. The main purpose of the role is to support the Organics Conservation team in preparing a collection of ancient Egyptian animal mummies for research and display. The role requires the post holder to have good general knowledge in the care and conservation of textiles and related organic materials (e.g. resins, mummified material, skeletal material) associated with animal mummies. Significant post-graduate experience of working with textiles and organic objects is required. Knowledge and experience with archaeological collections is desirable. The post holder will also contribute to other projects as assigned, ensuring the delivery of the Organic Conservation team’s workplan. Key areas of responsibility:To conserve and prepare a collection of ancient Egyptian animal mummies for research and display.
- To conserve objects made of organic materials, and in particular textiles, for loans, temporary exhibitions and permanent display.
- To advise on the care and conservation of collections made of textiles and organic materials.
- To devise and undertake projects for the care of the collections in store.
- To underpin care of the collection through research, documentation, surveys, data collection, and analysis.
- To ensure best practice and compliance with latest health and safety legislation.
- To contribute to the conservation of materials/object types outside own area of
expertise as necessary.
- To work collaboratively with colleagues within the department and across the museum.
- To work flexibly in line with museum priorities.
- Other duties as assigned.
- About you:Recognised professional conservation qualification to degree level or equivalent experience, with the conservation of the material relevant to the specialism of the role.
- Pass a colour vision test
- PCAR accreditation or working towards PACR accreditation
- Excellent demonstrable practical skills in the conservation of textiles and other organic materials.
- Experience with loans and display related activities.
- Excellent knowledge of contemporary principles and practice in preventive conservation.
- Strong understanding of conservation theory and ethical decision making.
- Knowledge of relevant health and safety legislation and guidance; and good IT skills.
- Excellent problem solving and decision-making skills.
- Able to: undertake detailed tasks whilst under pressure, work to set objectives on time and budget, and work independently.
- Some experience of project management challenges.
- Open and effective communicator with good spoken and written English.
- Experience of communicating/presenting to audiences, both public and professional.
About the British Museum: Founded in 1753, the British Museum’s remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. The Museum is a leading visitor attraction, and its world-famous collection includes the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, the Sutton-Hoo finds, and the Lewis Chessmen. The Museum also holds an extensive collection of prints and drawings spanning 600 years, including works by the greatest graphic artists such as Dürer, Michelangelo and Rembrandt. You can view a selection of our impressive collection of prints and drawings in our virtual gallery. The Museum offers a competitive benefits package including:
- Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service) plus 2.5 privilege days and plus bank holidays.
- Membership of the civil service defined benefit pension scheme (find out here what benefits a civil service pension provides).
- Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions
- Participation in private and public Museum activities, including talks by leading curators from around the world and behind-the-scenes opportunities to learn how museums care for and manage their extraordinary collections.
- Interest-free travel, bicycle, and rental deposit loans
- Professional and personal development opportunities
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Discounts on food and gift shop purchases
Additional details: For more information about this role, please see the job description. The expected start date for this post is 1 May 2025. If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details to bmrecruit@britishmuseum.org. We have a legal responsibility to ensure that employees have the right to work in the UK. If you currently do not hold the right to work in the UK, we can only sponsor a limited number of roles that meet eligibility criteria. To offer a sponsorship, the job role you apply needs to be in the list of eligible occupations: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations. Additionally (with some limited exceptions), the role will need to meet the minimum salary threshold of £38,700 or the going rate for the job, whichever is the highest. You can find more information here: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job The British Museum is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from unlawful discrimination or harassment. We value the benefits that a diverse workforce brings to a museum which represents world culture. The Museum is committed to ensuring that no job applicant suffers unlawful discrimination because of any protected characteristics. Our recruitment procedures aim to ensure that individuals are treated because of their relevant knowledge, skills, and experience. We specifically encourage applications from candidates from ethnic minority groups who are underrepresented within our senior roles. We offer a flexible way of working scheme that allows our employees to work remotely in a way that suits them and the organisation. We welcome questions and conversations at interview stage about how flexible working could work for you. We would typically see this role as working on site about 5 days a week. The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.