Conservator: Organics

Conservator: Organics

Full-time, On-site

Permanent x1, Fixed-Term x1 (until November 2026)

£33,470 per annum

Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on Monday, 1 December 2025

*We have two positions open in the Conservation team. One permanent, which will focus on the conservation of wood, furniture and decorative surfaces. The other is fixed-term, focusing on the conservation of archaeological materials and decorative surfaces.*

About the role

This is a fantastic opportunity for an early or early-to-mid career organics conservation specialist to join our friendly and dynamic team of conservation professionals at the British Museum.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to engage in lots of practice work with the collection and collaborate with stakeholders across the Museum and communities across the country and world. You will help to care for the British Museums collections through a combination of interventive and preventive measures, bringing your specialist knowledge in the conservation of a range of organic materials.

In 2024, the British Museum in Camden received 6.5 million visitors, more than any other museum in the UK. Against this backdrop, the Museum is now undergoing an extraordinary transformation, both intellectual and physical, including the loan of the Bayeux tapestry of which the team will work closely

Key areas of responsibility

• Contribute to the conservation of collections made of a wide range of organic materials.
• Assist with the preparation of objects for loan, exhibition, and permanent display.
• Provide care of the collection through dedicated projects on collections.
• Contribute to the department\’s outreach activities, including through public speaking, writing, publishing etc.
• Support the development of new preventive or interventive measures.
• Assist the conservation of materials / object types outside of your specialism as necessary.

About you

• Recognised professional conservation qualification to degree level or equivalent, with emphasis on the conservation of either wood, furniture and decorative materials
  or
  archaeological materials and decorative surfaces.
• Demonstrable practical skills in the conservation of a range of objects made of organic materials.
• Understanding of mechanisms involved in material deterioration.
• Knowledge of contemporary principles and practice in preventive conservation with an understanding of conservation theory and ethical decision making.
• Able to undertake highly detailed tasks while working under pressure.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

Benefits

• Be a part of a world-renowned institution, where history, culture, and innovation come together
• 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 days after long service) plus 2.5 privilege days, in addition to