Conservator: Treasure

Conservator: Treasure
Collection Care and Moves
Full-time, 41 hours per week (including one hour paid lunch break)
Fixed term (until 31 March 2026)
£32,228 per annum
Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on 2 June 2025

About the role:

The British Museum is seeking a Conservator: Treasure to join the Department of Collection Care and Moves. The postholder will focus on assisting in the Museum\’s role in the Treasure process, safeguarding finds and preparing them for identification and documentation.

When time permits, the postholder will also contribute to collection care through interventive and preventive measures, support the museum\’s operating plan, and engage with Public Programme activities. Based in the Ceramic, Glass and Metals team, the role requires a recognised professional conservation qualification to degree level, with good knowledge of inorganic objects, especially freshly excavated archaeological material.

Key responsibilities:

1. Contribute to the conservation of archaeological materials, mainly metals.
2. Collaborate with colleagues across the Museum, including the Portable Antiquities Scheme and other departments.
3. Record and document recently excavated material.
4. Participate in outreach activities such as public speaking, social media, and publishing.
5. Advocate for the Museum.
6. Work flexibly according to museum priorities.
7. Conserve materials outside of own specialization as needed.
8. Assist in preparing objects for loan, exhibition, and storage.
9. Support collection care through documentation, surveys, data collection, and public events.
10. Develop new preventive or interventive conservation measures.

About you:

1. Degree-level recognised professional conservation qualification focusing on Ceramic, Glass, and Metal conservation.
2. Knowledge of freshly excavated archaeological material and some field excavation experience.
3. Excellent skills in conserving historical and archaeological metals.
4. Understanding of material deterioration mechanisms.
5. Knowledge of preventive conservation principles and practices.
6. Understanding of conservation theory and ethics.
7. Relevant health and safety knowledge.
8. Proficiency with IT systems, including digital imaging and documentation.
9. Practical museum or heritage sector experience.
10. Effective communication skills in English and ability to work collaboratively.

About the British Museum:

Founded in 1753, the British Museum\’s collection spans over two million years of human history, including iconic items like the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, Sutton-Hoo finds, and the Lewis Chessmen. The Museum also holds a vast collection of prints and drawings from 600 years of art history.

We offer a competitive benefits package, including generous leave, a civil service pension scheme, free museum entry, professional development opportunities, and more.

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