At a Glance
- Tasks: Care for art on paper through conservation mounting and housing.
- Company: The British Museum showcases over two million years of human history and culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension scheme, and discounts on food and gifts.
- Why this job: Join a world-renowned institution and contribute to preserving cultural heritage.
- Qualifications: Degree in conservation or equivalent training with practical skills in conservation mounting.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; diverse and inclusive workplace.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Conservator: Conservation Mounting role at The British Museum
1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Join to apply for the Conservator: Conservation Mounting role at The British Museum
Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.
Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on Tuesday 19 August 2025
About the role:
To care for the collection through a combination of preventive and interventive measures in support of the museum\’s operating plan, and to contribute to public outreach activities of the Department of Conservation. This role requires the post holder to have or be developing specialist knowledge in the area of conservation mounting and housing art on paper. The post holder will work alongside conservators of art on paper; advising and collaborating to ensure the collection is displayed and stored safely.
Key areas of responsibility:
- Contribute to the preservation of art on paper, documents and photographs, by providing conservation mounting and housing.
- Aid with the preparation of objects for loan, exhibition, and permanent display.
- Assist towards the care of the collection through dedicated projects on collections in-store, documentation, surveys, data collection, analysis, and support with public speaking at public events.
- Get involved with the department’s outreach activities and support with developing ideas for potential funding bids.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues within the department, on projects such as developing new preventive or interventive measures.
- Other duties as assigned such as contributing to the mounting of materials / object types outside of own specialism as necessary.
About you:
- Recognised professional conservation qualification to degree level or equivalent training in conservation mounting, with emphasis on the conservation of the material relevant to the specialism of the role.
- Demonstrable practical skills in conservation mounting of the material relevant to the specialism of the role.
- Understanding of mechanisms involved in material deterioration and knowledge of contemporary principles and practice in preventive conservation.
- Understanding of conservation theory and ethical decision making.
- Relevant knowledge of health and safety.
- Good computing skills and proficiency with a range of IT systems.
- Able to undertake highly detailed tasks whilst working under pressure and be an effective problem solver and decision maker within a team environment.
About the British Museum:
Founded in 1753, the British Museum’s remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. The Museum is a leading visitor attraction, and its world-famous collection includes the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, the Sutton-Hoo finds, and the Lewis Chessmen. The Museum also holds an extensive collection of prints and drawings spanning 600 years, including works by the greatest graphic artists such as Dürer, Michelangelo and Rembrandt.
You can view a selection of our impressive collection of prints and drawings in our virtual gallery .
The Museum offers a competitive benefits package including:
- Generous annual leave allowance of (pro-rata?) 25 days (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service) plus 2.5 privilege days and plus bank holidays.
- Membership of the civil service defined benefit pension scheme (find out here what benefits a civil service pension provides).
- Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions
- Participation in private and public Museum activities, including talks by leading curators from around the world and behind-the-scenes opportunities to learn how museums care for and manage their extraordinary collections.
- Interest-free travel, bicycle, and rental deposit loans
- Professional and personal development opportunities
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Discounts on food and gift shop purchases
For more information about this role, please see the job description.
If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details to .
We have a legal responsibility to ensure that employees have the right to work in the UK.If you currently do not hold the right to work in the UK, we can only sponsor a limited number of roles that meet eligibility criteria. To offer a sponsorship, the job role you apply needs to be in the list of eligible occupations: . Additionally (with some limited exceptions), the role will need to meet the new minimum salary threshold of £41,700 or the going rate for the job, whichever is the highest. You can find more information here:
The British Museum is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from unlawful discrimination or harassment. We value the benefits that a diverse workforce brings to a museum which represents world culture. The Museum is committed to ensuring that no job applicant suffers unlawful discrimination because of any protected characteristics. Our recruitment procedures aim to ensure that individuals are treated because of their relevant knowledge, skills, and experience.
We specifically encourage applications from candidates from ethnic minority groups who are underrepresented within our senior roles.
We offer a flexible way of working scheme that allows our employees to work remotely in a way that suits them and the organisation. We welcome questions and conversations at interview stage about how flexible working could work for you.
The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.
Seniority level
-
Seniority level
Not Applicable
Employment type
-
Employment type
Part-time
Job function
-
Job function
Art/Creative
-
Industries
Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at The British Museum by 2x
Get notified about new Conservator jobs in London Area, United Kingdom .
London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Conservator: Conservation Mounting employer: THE BRITISH MUSEUM
Contact Detail:
THE BRITISH MUSEUM Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Conservator: Conservation Mounting
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the conservation field, especially those who specialise in art on paper. Attend relevant workshops, seminars, or exhibitions where you can meet conservators and learn about their experiences. This can help you gain insights into the role and potentially lead to valuable connections.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and techniques in conservation mounting. Follow industry publications, join online forums, and participate in discussions to stay updated. Demonstrating your knowledge of contemporary practices during interviews can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with the British Museum's outreach activities or volunteer for related projects. This hands-on experience will not only enhance your skills but also show your commitment to the museum's mission. Plus, it’s a great way to get your foot in the door!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your practical skills in conservation mounting during the interview. Think of challenges you've faced and how you resolved them, as well as any collaborative projects you've been involved in. This will demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and teamwork skills.
We think you need these skills to ace Conservator: Conservation Mounting
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in conservation mounting and housing art on paper. Use specific examples of your practical skills and any projects you've worked on that relate to the role.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for conservation and how your background aligns with the British Museum's mission. Mention your understanding of conservation theory and ethical decision-making, as these are key aspects of the role.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your computing skills and proficiency with IT systems in your application. The role requires good technical abilities, so be sure to mention any software or tools you are familiar with that are relevant to conservation.
Highlight Team Collaboration: Since the role involves working collaboratively with colleagues, include examples of how you've successfully worked in a team environment. Discuss any outreach activities or projects where you contributed to collective goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at THE BRITISH MUSEUM
✨Showcase Your Practical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your hands-on experience with conservation mounting. Bring examples of your work or a portfolio that highlights your practical skills in handling art on paper, as this will demonstrate your capability and attention to detail.
✨Understand Conservation Theory
Brush up on contemporary principles and practices in preventive conservation. Be ready to explain how you apply conservation theory in your work, especially regarding ethical decision-making and material deterioration.
✨Collaborative Mindset
The role involves working closely with other conservators and departments. Highlight your teamwork experiences and be prepared to discuss how you’ve successfully collaborated on projects in the past.
✨Prepare for Public Speaking
Since the position includes outreach activities, practice discussing your work in a clear and engaging manner. Think of ways to communicate complex conservation concepts to a non-specialist audience, as this will show your ability to connect with the public.