Conservator: Ceramic, Glass and Metals

Conservator: Ceramic, Glass and Metals 
Collection Care 
Full-time, 41 hours per week (including one hour paid lunch break) 
Permanent
£36,683 per annum 
Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on 16 September 2024

BM Recruit (ciphr-irecruit.com)

About the role:

To lead in the care of the collection through a combination of interventive and preventive measures in support of the museum's operating plan, and to proactively engage with the Public Programme activities of the Department of Collection Care. The role requires the post holder to have good general knowledge in the care and conservation of objects, and significant post-graduate experience of working in the area of ceramic, glass and metal conservation. Specialist knowledge in the conservation of ceramics and glass is essential and an interest in the conservation of cuneiform or porcelain is desirable. 

Key areas of responsibility:

• Practical Conservation of ceramics, glass and metals

• To advise on conditions and prepare objects for loans, exhibitions, and permanent display.

• To advise others regarding specialism.

• To devise and undertake projects for the care of the collections in store.

• To care for the collection through research, documentation, surveys, data 

• collection, analysis, and support at public events.

• To contribute to the conservation of materials / object types outside own area of expertise as necessary. 

• To work collaboratively with colleagues within the department and across the museum.

About you:

• Recognised professional conservation qualification to degree level or equivalent experience with the conservation of the material relevant to the specialism of the role 

• Excellent demonstrable practical skills in conservation

• Experience with display related activities

• Excellent knowledge of contemporary principles and practice in preventive conservation

• Strong understanding of conservation theory and ethical decision making

• Relevant knowledge of health and safety

• Excellent demonstrable practical skills in conservation

• Experience with display related activities

• Excellent knowledge of contemporary principles and practice in preventive conservation

• Strong understanding of conservation theory and ethical decision making

• Relevant knowledge of health and safety

• Ability to lead and motivate a team to deliver agreed outcomes

• Some experience of management issues relating to people, projects, and/or budgets

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 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 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

Additional details:

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 bmrecruit@britishmuseum.org. 

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: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations. Additionally (with some limited exceptions), the role will need to meet the minimum salary threshold of £38,700 or the going rate for the job, whichever is the highest. You can find more information here: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job

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 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. We would typically see this role as working on site about 5 days a week.

The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.