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- Tasks: Join us as a Conservator: Treasure, focusing on archaeological material conservation and public engagement.
- Company: The British Museum, a historic institution with a vast collection spanning over two million years of history.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension scheme, free museum access, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a prestigious museum, contribute to cultural heritage, and engage with the public.
- Qualifications: Degree-level conservation qualification, knowledge of archaeological materials, and good communication skills required.
- Other info: Fixed-term role until March 2026; interviews on 17 June 2025.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 36000 £ per year.
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 the finds placed in the Museum's care, and preparing them for identification and documentation. When time allows, the postholder will also contribute to the care of the collection through interventive and preventive measures and engage with the Public Programme activities of the Department of Collection Care and Moves. Based in the Ceramic, Glass and Metals team, the role requires a recognised professional conservation qualification to degree level and good knowledge in the care and conservation of inorganic objects, especially freshly excavated archaeological material.
Key responsibilities:
- Contribute to the conservation of archaeological material, mainly metals.
- Collaborate with colleagues within the department and across the Museum, including the Portable Antiquities Scheme and other antiquities departments.
- Record and document recently excavated material.
- Participate in outreach activities such as public speaking, social media, and publishing.
- Act as an advocate for the Museum.
- Work flexibly according to museum priorities.
- Conserve materials outside of own specialism as needed.
- Assist in preparing objects for loan, exhibition, and storage.
- Support collection care through documentation, surveys, data collection, and public events.
- Develop new preventive or interventive conservation measures.
About you:
- Recognised professional conservation qualification to degree level or equivalent, focusing on Ceramic, Glass, and Metal conservation.
- Specialist knowledge of freshly excavated archaeological material with some field excavation experience.
- Excellent skills in conserving historical and archaeological metals.
- Understanding of deterioration mechanisms and preventive conservation principles.
- Knowledge of conservation theory and ethics.
- Relevant health and safety knowledge.
- Good IT skills, including digital imaging and documentation.
- Experience in the museum or heritage sector during training or employment.
- Effective communicator with good spoken and written English.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team.
Benefits:
- Generous annual leave (25 days, rising to 30 after 10 years), plus bank holidays and privilege days.
- Membership of the civil service pension scheme.
- Free entry to museums and exhibitions.
- Participation in museum activities, talks, and behind-the-scenes access.
- Interest-free loans for travel, bicycles, and rentals.
- Professional and personal development opportunities.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Discounts in shops and cafes.
Interviews are expected on 17 June 2025.
Conservator: Treasure employer: Nationalmuseums
Contact Detail:
Nationalmuseums Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Conservator: Treasure
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the British Museum's collection, especially their archaeological materials. Understanding their specific conservation needs will help you demonstrate your knowledge and passion during any discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the museum and heritage sector. Attend relevant workshops, seminars, or conferences to meet people who can provide insights into the role and potentially refer you to opportunities at the British Museum.
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with the Portable Antiquities Scheme and other related departments. Showing that you are proactive in understanding the Treasure process and collaborating with these entities can set you apart as a candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your field excavation experience and how it relates to the conservation of metals. Be ready to share specific examples of your work and how you've applied conservation principles in real-world scenarios.
We think you need these skills to ace Conservator: Treasure
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the key responsibilities and requirements for the Conservator: Treasure position. This will help you tailor your application to highlight relevant skills and experiences.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any experience you have in conserving archaeological materials, especially metals. Mention specific projects or roles that demonstrate your expertise in this area.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since the role involves public engagement and collaboration, make sure to illustrate your communication skills. Provide examples of how you've effectively communicated in previous roles, whether through public speaking, social media, or writing.
Tailor Your Application: Customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific qualifications and skills mentioned in the job description. Use keywords from the posting to ensure your application aligns with what the British Museum is looking for.
How to prepare for a job interview at Nationalmuseums
✨Showcase Your Conservation Knowledge
Make sure to highlight your professional conservation qualification and any relevant experience you have with inorganic objects, especially freshly excavated archaeological materials. Be prepared to discuss specific techniques or projects you've worked on that demonstrate your expertise.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with colleagues across various departments, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. This could include joint projects, outreach activities, or any teamwork experiences that showcase your ability to work well with others.
✨Prepare for Public Engagement Questions
As the position includes participation in outreach activities, think about how you would engage with the public. Prepare to discuss any previous experiences in public speaking, social media engagement, or publishing, and how you can advocate for the Museum effectively.
✨Understand Conservation Ethics and Principles
Familiarise yourself with conservation theory, ethics, and preventive conservation principles. Be ready to discuss how these concepts apply to the care of archaeological materials and how you would implement them in your work at the Museum.
