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Join the British Museum's Preventive Conservation team and safeguard history
Overview
Salary
£30728
Location
Bloomsbury
Expires
Expires at anytime
The British Museum, home to the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies, is seeking a passionate Conservator - Preventive to join their innovative team. This prestigious institution boasts a history dating back to 1753 and continues to be a world leader in preserving human history and culture.
- Develop and implement preventive conservation measures for the museum's diverse collection.
- Provide expert advice on collection care, risk management, and conservation strategies.
- Engage with display, storage, and object handling solutions to ensure the longevity of the collection.
- Monitor and report on environmental conditions and support Integrated Pest Management.
- Participate in public outreach and contribute to the museum's mission of education and preservation.
- Degree or equivalent in conservation, with a focus on preventive measures.
- Proven experience in preventive conservation within the heritage sector.
- Understanding of material deterioration processes and conservation ethics.
- Capability to effectively manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
About the role: With ambitious plans for the Museum’s next phases of the Masterplan and many upcoming collection projects, an exciting opportunity has arisen to join a newly redeveloped Preventive Conservation team as a Conservator: Preventive and join a dynamic team leading in the care of the collection through preventive conservation measures concerning permanent displays and gallery projects. This role will also support and contribute to preventive conservation applications for collection storage, loans, and temporary exhibitions. The postholder will contribute and advise on the care of the collection through monitoring and reporting on the environment, and other preventive conservation measures in support of the museum's operating plan, and to contribute to public outreach activities of the Department of Collection Care.
This role requires the post holder to have specialist knowledge and experience in preventive conservation and collection care. Key areas of responsibility: To contribute to the preventive conservation of collections made of a wide range of organic and inorganic materials. To advise colleagues and stakeholders on preventive conservation, collection care and risk management related matters. To advise colleagues and stakeholders on preventive conservation, collection care and risk management as part of the Masterplan. To propose preventive conservation led solutions for the display, storage, and handling of objects. To contribute to the care of the collection through various dedicated collection-based projects. To assist with the care of the collection through monitoring, data analysis, and reporting on display and storage environment, and supporting Integrated Pest Management.
About you: Recognised professional conservation qualification to degree level or equivalent, with emphasis on preventive conservation. Demonstrable practical preventive conservation skills. Understanding of mechanisms involved in material deterioration. Sound knowledge of contemporary principles and practice in preventive conservation Involvement in display and storage related activities Understanding of conservation theory and ethical decision making Employment within the heritage sector (e.g., museum, gallery, library, archive sector) Able to multi-task while working under pressure Experience of planning own work to deliver set objectives on time and to budget
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 one of the leading visitor attractions and its world-famous collection includes the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, Egyptian mummies, the Admonitions Scroll, and the Amaravati sculptures. The Museum offers a competitive benefits package including: Membership of the civil service pension scheme 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 Generous annual leave allowance 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. If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of in order to support you with your application, please provide details to [email removed - click apply for more details] . 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 fairly because of their relevant knowledge, skills, and experience. The Museum adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.
