Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our conservation team to care for over 12 million artefacts and contribute to exhibitions.
- Company: National Museums Scotland, a leading museum group with diverse collections.
- Benefits: Generous salary, pension scheme, 28.5 days leave, and free access to museums.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in preserving history while working in a creative and collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in conservation or relevant experience; practical skills and IT proficiency required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 19157 - 20729 £ per year.
Part time | 21 hours per week
Full Time Salary: £31,929 – £34,549 (pay award pending)
Actual Salary (Pro-rata): £19,157.40 - £20,729.40
Hours: 21 hours per week | 3 days across Monday - Friday
Location: National Museums Collection Centre
National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in Europe with one of the largest and most diverse collections in the world. As an organisation our values are Creative, Inclusive, Collaborative and Forward-thinking.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Artefact Conservator (part-time 0.6 FTE) to join our busy and dynamic conservation team, caring for our internationally significant collections of over 12 million items.
Benefits:
- National Museums Scotland contributes 28.97% of your salary towards you being a member of the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
- A generous annual leave of 28.5 days – rising to 33.5 after 5 years, plus an additional 8 paid days public holidays. For part-time staff, annual leave and public holidays will be pro-rated to reflect your normal working hours.
- Free access to national (and international) museums and exhibitions.
- A range of wellbeing benefits including Employee Assistance Programme 24/7.
- Access to all the above and more from day one of employment.
About the Assistant Artefact Conservator role:
The artefact conservation team works across several disciplines including archaeology, decorative arts, sculpture, ethnographic, military and Scottish history collections. You will bring your conservation knowledge to our exhibitions, displays, loans and collections programmes. You will have a recognised conservation degree and be able to work, independently and collaboratively, on the examination and treatment of artefacts, and advise on their safe display and storage. Responsibilities include documenting the condition and treatments of objects, so good IT skills are required.
You will be a team player, who is able to work to tight deadlines and effectively plan, prioritise and risk assess your work programme. You will also have an enthusiasm for conservation and be able to communicate this to our audiences.
As an Assistant Artefact Conservator at National Museums Scotland you will:
- Apply specialist conservation knowledge to National Museums Scotland’s conservation programmes.
- Carry out practical conservation on artefacts of a wide range of material, period and provenance.
- Work closely with exhibition, curatorial and other key sectors in the museum, normally under guidance, to provide the conservation necessary to ensure that deadlines for exhibition, display and care of collections are met.
Skills and experience we’re looking for:
- First degree in a relevant discipline, or knowledge from relevant experience.
- Able practical conservator with proven relevant experience.
- Good theoretical understanding of material issues and treatments.
Please be sure to view relevant attachments for this role (available on our Careers Portal: careers.nms.ac.uk) for full details of the position.
The closing date for this role is 08/02/2026. The Selection Event is likely to take place 19/02/2026.
Assistant Artefacts Conservator in Edinburgh employer: National Museums Scotland
Contact Detail:
National Museums Scotland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Artefacts Conservator in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the conservation field, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to express your enthusiasm for artefact conservation. Share your experiences and what excites you about working with collections.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the museum's collections and recent exhibitions. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in their work. Plus, it’ll give you some great talking points!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Artefacts Conservator in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Assistant Artefact Conservator role. We want to see your passion for conservation shine through!
Show Off Your IT Skills: Since good IT skills are a must for documenting condition and treatments, don’t forget to mention any relevant software or tools you’re familiar with. We love tech-savvy applicants!
Be a Team Player: Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively. Share examples of how you've successfully worked in teams before, as we value collaboration highly at National Museums Scotland.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our careers portal. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at National Museums Scotland
✨Know Your Artefacts
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of the types of artefacts you'll be working with. Familiarise yourself with the collections at National Museums Scotland and be ready to discuss how your conservation skills can apply to their diverse range of items.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Since collaboration is key in this role, think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully worked as part of a team. Be prepared to share how you can contribute to a positive team dynamic while meeting tight deadlines.
✨Demonstrate Your IT Skills
As good IT skills are essential for documenting condition and treatments, be ready to talk about the software or tools you've used in previous roles. If possible, bring along examples of documentation you've created to showcase your attention to detail.
✨Communicate Your Passion
Your enthusiasm for conservation should shine through during the interview. Think about how you can convey your passion for the field and how you can engage audiences with your knowledge. Prepare a few anecdotes that highlight your commitment to conservation.