At a Glance
- Tasks: Pack and prepare museum collections for safe transport and long-term storage.
- Company: Join the Royal College of Surgeons of England, a leader in surgical education and care.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days holiday, flexible working, and a great pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for learning and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by preserving history and contributing to surgical heritage.
- Qualifications: Relevant degree or vocational qualification and conservation training required.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 31000 € per year.
The Museums of the Royal College of Surgeons of England cares for 70,000 objects and organic preparations. 23,000 of these are currently housed in offsite storage, including artworks, historic surgical instruments and organic preparations (including human tissue). These need to be moved to a new store by November 2026. To achieve this, RCS England Museums are seeking to appoint a Conservation Assistant to provide conservation support and help in the preparation and physical move of the collections.
As the Conservation Assistant, you will:
- Pack objects and specimens for safe transportation and long-term storage
- Carry out pest inspections of organic preparations
- Assist in auditing, monitoring and tracking movements of the collections
The role requires the post holder to work a five-day week across multiple sites, including RCS Central London headquarters, the offsite store in Southeast London, and a future store within England (location tbd). Please note this job will involve physical work.
About you:
- Hold a relevant degree or level 3 vocational qualification
- Have conservation training
- Have museum or heritage conservation work experience
- Have experience of preparing and packing collections for safe transportation
- Experience of working with natural history/medical collections is desirable
- Have used a collections management system (CMS)
What we can offer you:
- 27 days paid holiday + bank holidays and up to 4 college closure days
- Flexible working
- Enhanced contributory pension scheme & other leave entitlements
- Variety of learning and development opportunities
- Wellbeing programme & Employee Assistance Scheme
If you wish to apply or if you have any questions about this position please email your CV together with a cover letter to RCSHR@rcseng.ac.uk. Any personal data collected from you, or that you provide to us, will be processed by us in accordance with our recruitment processes. If unsuccessful in your application, your information will be held by us on our database for a period of 6 months before deletion. If you would like your information removed sooner, please contact RCSHR@rceng.ac.uk.
Closing date: 4 January 2026
The Royal College of Surgeons of England is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We are open to all talent and we actively ensure that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regards to age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
The Royal College of Surgeons of England is committed to protecting your privacy. We are registered as a data controller with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). All College employees are responsible for records held, created and used as part of their work for the College including patient/client, corporate and administrative records. Records are managed according to the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 and ensure confidentiality. The College ensures that staff are trained to handle the information you submit to us with care and discretion, seeking advice where necessary.
Conservation Assistant employer: Radix Solutions
The Royal College of Surgeons of England is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional development. With a generous benefits package including 27 days of paid holiday, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to equal opportunities, the role of Conservation Assistant provides a unique chance to contribute to the preservation of significant historical collections in a dynamic multisite environment across Southeast and Central London.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Conservation Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the conservation field, attend relevant 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 skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your conservation work, including any projects you've completed or collections you've handled. This will give potential employers a tangible sense of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to museums or organisations you’re interested in working for, even if they’re not advertising a position. Express your passion for conservation and ask about potential opportunities.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to submit your application directly, ensuring it gets into the right hands. Plus, keep an eye on our site for any new roles that pop up – you don’t want to miss out!
We think you need these skills to ace Conservation Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in conservation and museum work. We want to see how your skills match the role of Conservation Assistant, so don’t be shy about showcasing your training and any hands-on experience you've had!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about conservation and how you can contribute to our mission at the Royal College of Surgeons. Keep it concise but engaging – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Skills:Be sure to mention any specific skills that relate to packing collections, pest inspections, or using a collections management system. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know what you bring to the table!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s super easy, and you’ll ensure your application gets to the right place. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Radix Solutions
✨Know Your Collections
Familiarise yourself with the types of collections the Royal College of Surgeons manages. Understanding the significance of surgical instruments and organic preparations will show your genuine interest in the role and help you answer questions more effectively.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Be ready to discuss your conservation training and any relevant experience you have. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully packed collections for transportation or conducted pest inspections, as this will demonstrate your hands-on expertise.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the organisation. Inquire about the challenges they face in moving collections or how they ensure the integrity of their items during transport. This shows you're engaged and thinking critically about the position.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since this role involves multisite working, highlight your ability to collaborate with others. Share experiences where you've worked as part of a team, especially in physically demanding situations, to illustrate that you're a reliable team player.
