Conservator: Treasure
Collection Care and Moves
Full-time, 41 hours per week (including one hour paid lunch break)
Fixed term (until 31 March 2026)
Salary: £32,228 per annum
Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on 2 June 2025
About the role:
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:
1. Contribute to the conservation of archaeological material, mainly metals.
2. Collaborate with colleagues within the department and across the Museum, including the Portable Antiquities Scheme and other antiquities departments.
3. Record and document recently excavated material.
4. Participate in outreach activities such as public speaking, social media, and publishing.
5. Act as an advocate for the Museum.
6. Work flexibly according to museum priorities.
7. Conserve materials outside of own specialism as needed.
8. Assist in preparing objects for loan, exhibition, and storage.
9. Support collection care through documentation, surveys, data collection, and public events.
10. 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.
About the British Museum:
Founded in 1753, the British Museum's collection spans over two million years of human history, including the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, Sutton-Hoo finds, and the Lewis Chessmen. It also holds an extensive collection of prints and drawings from 600 years of history.
Visit our virtual gallery to view some of our collection.
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.
Additional details:
For more information, see the full job description. Interviews are expected on 17 June 2025. For inquiries, contact the National Museum Directors' Council, Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG.
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