Conservator: Stone, Wall Paintings and Mosaics in London

The British Museum is seeking a skilled and motivated Conservator specialising in Stone, Wall Paintings and Mosaics. This is a unique opportunity to help preserve, research, and support the display of some of the world's most significant cultural heritage.

As a Conservator within the Stone Wall Paintings & Mosaics (SWPM) team, you will contribute to the care of the Museum's collection through both interventive and preventive conservation. You will support upcoming loans, exhibitions, and long-term displays, as well as contributing to the redevelopment of the Western Range, while also taking part in departmental outreach and public engagement.

Key areas of responsibility:

• Carry out conservation treatments on stone, wall paintings and mosaics in the collection and contribute to the conservation of other materials and objects where required.
• Prepare objects for loan, exhibition, and permanent display.
• Contribute to the care of the collection through dedicated projects on collections in store.
• Support conservation projects, including surveys, documentation, data collection, and analysis.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Conservation, Collection Care and Moves, and wider museum teams.
• Ensure best practice and compliance with current health and safety standards.
• Contribute to outreach activities through public speaking, publishing, and supporting public events.
• Assist with developing new conservation measures and ideas for funding bids.

About you:

• We are looking for someone who combines strong practical conservation skills with excellent communication and collaborative abilities.
• A recognised professional conservation qualification (degree level or equivalent) with emphasis on stone, wall paintings and mosaics.
• Demonstrable hands‐on experience in conserving these materials.
• Understanding of material deterioration, preventive conservation, and ethical decision‐making, ideally with some involvement in preventive conservation activities.
• Strong attention to detail, able to undertake highly detailed tasks.
• Good IT skills and competence across relevant software and systems.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to present work publicly.
• Able to plan, organise, and deliver work to deadlines.

At the British Museum, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we’ve designed a benefits package that goes beyond the ordinary:

• Free exhibition entry for you and guests, exclusive private views, ICOM and reciprocal museum access.
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays and 2.5 privilege days (and +5 days after 10 years).
• Discounts at onsite catering, Museum shops and local Bloomsbury partners.
• Peer support and allyship with five diversity networks for community.
• Learning and development through courses, mentoring and Athena as well as support for professional qualifications.
• Eyecare vouchers for VDU tests and contributions toward glasses.
• Civil Service Pension Scheme with a secure, inflation‐linked defined benefit.
• Interest‐free loans including season ticket, rental deposit and bicycle loans.

Our values drive everything we do, from how we handle our objects to how we work in our team to fostering a culture where everyone feels heard and empowered:

• Care Deeply
• Embrace the Unknown
• Value Many Voices

These are a core part of how we recruit. Throughout the application, interview and selection process, we look for examples of how candidates demonstrate these behaviours in their own work and experiences. We encourage you to familiarise yourself with our values and reflect them in your application.

At the British Museum, we are committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process where every applicant has the opportunity to present their genuine strengths and experience in their own voice.

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.