Senior Preventive Conservator

Senior Preventive Conservator

Do you have practical conservation experience and knowledge or a relevant conservation qualification? Would you like to be instrumental in the development and delivery of a proactive preventive conservation programme?

About us

This position is based at the Science and Innovation Park (SIP) in Wroughton. At the heart of the Park is the National Collections Centre (NCC), home to around 90% of the Science Museum Group (SMG) Collection. The NCC is transforming how we care, manage, and make accessible over 400,000 objects and 1.5m items in our Library and Archive. The Hawking Building houses everything from microscope slides to railway carriages.

We are recruiting for a Senior Preventive Conservator to join on a fixed-term contract until February 2026. This is a full-time role, working 35 hours per week and is based at the Science and Innovation Park in Wroughton, Swindon.

About the role

As Senior Preventive Conservator, you will have both line management and project management responsibilities. Working with Science Museum Group policies and protocols, you will be instrumental in the development and delivery of a proactive preventive conservation programme providing focused and consistent preventive care for SMG collections.

In this role, you will cover a diverse range of activities. You will be responsible for the collection, reporting and use of our environmental data, improving workflows and achieving consistency across the Group. You will draft and update our standard operating procedures and our collections salvage plans. You will lead training around preventive matters across the group, including hazard identification and management.

About you

Joining us, you will have a relevant conservation qualification or equivalent practical experience and knowledge. You will have the ability to develop policies and workflows around preventive conservation, with experience in project management and planning, using continuous improvement methodologies to create efficiencies around preventive conservation.

Crucially, you will be able to communicate and work well with others, coupled with experience working with diverse stakeholders, providing advice for the storage and transport of collection items. You will have experience of working with a broad range of collections hazards in addition to good knowledge and practical application of current UK Health and Safety practice within the following areas: manual handling, collections hazard management, use of power tools, lifting and moving equipment, writing Risk and COSHH assessments.

Don't feel you meet all the criteria? We welcome you to apply even if your experience doesn't match directly. With your transferable skills, you could be the right candidate for this or other opportunities that we have.

Applying

View the Vacancy Information Pack listed under 'Attachments' on the vacancy listing on our website for more details about the role and the application process or click 'Apply Online' to submit an application.

What we offer

Working with a world-leading museum group that offers access to truly unique environments and collections, you'll benefit from the perks listed below, as well as full support for life events such as parental and adoption leave, sickness, and career breaks.

1. Meaningful work: We're a mission-led organisation where the work you do supports us in Inspiring Futures.
2. Career growth: We offer enhanced support with personal and professional development.
3. Work/life balance: We offer 27 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, along with flexible policies which support you and your home life.
4. Health & Dental Insurance: Extra peace of mind, from day one.
5. Wellbeing: All our colleagues can access an employee assistance programme, access to the Unmind app, and other wellbeing support.
6. Colleague networks: Our colleague-led networks are an informal forum for colleagues to come together to discuss topics of shared interest and lived experience. They create a space for people to exchange ideas, discuss best practices, socialise and build a sense of community.
7. Enhanced contributory pension: To support you in saving for the future.
8. Interest-free loans: When you need a little extra cash for life events or home improvements.
9. Great discounts: Free entry to exhibitions, discounts in our shops, cafes, and access to other museums in the NMDC network.

Open for All is one of the Science Museum Group's five core values and sets out our important aspiration to be a place for everyone. We are working hard to understand our organisation better and to develop a culture that recognises and values different backgrounds, mindsets, skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise. By having greater diversity, we believe that we will be a stronger and better organisation, capable of continuing to Inspire Futures.