Project Conservator: Objects

About the role:
To care for the collection through a combination of interventive and preventive measures in support of the museum's operating plan. The role requires the post holder to have good general knowledge and some work experience in the care and conservation of 3D objects made from a variety of materials and proactively engage in the public outreach activities of the Department of Collection Care. This role requires the post holder to focus on the conservation of objects across organic and inorganic materials from all curatorial departments for the Museum’s Documentation Project.

Key areas of responsibility:

1. To contribute to the conservation of objects of both organic and inorganic materials.
2. To contribute to the preparation of objects for record photography as part of the Documentation and Digitisation Project.
3. To contribute to the care of the collection through this dedicated project on collections in store.
4. To contribute to the care of the collection through documentation, surveys, data collection, analysis, and support at public events.
5. To work collaboratively with colleagues within the department and across the museum.

About you:

1. Recognised professional conservation qualification to degree level or equivalent with emphasis on the conservation of objects.
2. Pass colour vision test.
3. Demonstrable practical skills in the conservation of both organic and inorganic object conservation.
4. Understanding of mechanisms involved in material deterioration.
5. Knowledge of contemporary principles and practice in preventive conservation.
6. Understanding of conservation theory and ethical decision making.
7. Relevant knowledge of health and safety.

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 Dürer, Michelangelo and Rembrandt.

The Museum offers a competitive benefits package including:

1. Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service) plus 2.5 privilege days and plus bank holidays.
2. Membership of the civil service defined benefit pension scheme.
3. Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions.
4. 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.
5. Interest-free travel, bicycle, and rental deposit loans.
6. Professional and personal development opportunities.
7. Employee Assistance Programme.
8. Discounts on food and gift shop purchases.

Additional details:
For more information about this role, please see the job description.

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. 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.

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.

The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.