Overview
THIS POST COULD BE CONSIDERED AS A SECONDMENT OPPORTUNITY
The Oxford University Museum of Natural History (OUMNH) currently has over 7 million objects with the majority of the collections stored at the main museum site. This includes the fluid preserved collections, numbering some 20,000 jars. This material is due to be transferred to the new Collections Storage Facility (CSF), currently being built in Swindon, where a separate purpose-built fluid store is being constructed.
We are about to embark on a 12-month project to prepare the fluid preserved collections held at the Museum for transport to the CSF in 2027. We require a Project Assistant to work within a small team to prepare fluid specimens ahead of a later move to the new store.
The Museum’s fluid collection holds zoological materials from across the animal kingdom, with significant holdings of crustacea, arachnids, reptiles, and anatomical preparations including human remains. Dating from the 17th century through to today, materials have been prepared for a wide range of activities, with an equally wide range of storage types, sealing methods, and jar sizes and styles. The vast majority are stored in industrial methylated spirit (IMS), but there are also collections in formalin, phenoxytol, glycerine, Kaiserling solution and other historic preservatives.
This is a full-time, fixed-term position, working 36.5 hours per week for 12 months.
Due to the nature of this post, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a satisfactory Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) due to access to Museum collections.
About You
The successful applicant will have experience of handling and moving museum or heritage collections, with an understanding of the standard requirements for record keeping and data entry. The post will be based full-time at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, and requires working in a cramped store, standing, regularly using stairs in order to access collections, lifting natural history specimens stored in fluid filled glass jars of variable weights and sizes and using manual handling equipment where required.
What We Offer
As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:
* An excellent contributory pension scheme
* 38 days of annual leave
* A comprehensive range of childcare services
* Family leave schemes
* Cycle loan scheme
* Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
More information is available at https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/staff-benefits
Diversity
Our staff and students come from all over the world, and we proudly promote a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through diverse groups and champions, as well as a number of family-friendly policies, such as the right to apply for flexible working and support for staff returning from periods of extended absence, for example, shared parental leave.
We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment processes are inclusive and accessible. If you require the job description or any other materials in an alternative format, or if you would like to request any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please contact the recruitment team at recruitment@glam.ox.ac.uk.
How to apply
You will be required to upload your CV and a supporting evidence form using the attached template as part of your online application. Your supporting evidence form should list each of the essential and desirable selection criteria, as listed in the job description, and explain how you meet each one. Both documents must be submitted to be considered.
We aim to provide a supportive working environment and are happy to discuss training and professional development opportunities. The Chair of this recruitment panel will be Mark Carnall, Collections Manager (Life Collections), who can be contacted with enquiries relating to the role (mark.carnall@oum.ox.ac.uk). General queries about the recruitment and application process should be directed to the Recruitment team within our Human Resources department (recruitment@glam.ox.ac.uk).
Please discuss secondments with your line manager in the first instance, as you must have their agreement that you can be released for a secondment before you submit an application https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/secondments
Only applications received online by 12.00 midday (BST) on Monday 22 September 2025 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place on Friday 3 October 2025.
Please note: Candidates must be able to attend an in-person interview. The interview will consist of a practical test and a tour of the space to ensure the candidate is fine working with the collections and environment.
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