Job Description

Conservator: TreasureSalary: 332,228 per annum
Location: BloomsburyRole SummaryConservator: Treasure
Collection Care and Moves
Full-time, 41 hours per week (including one hour paid lunch break)
Fixed term (until 31 March 2026)
332,228 per annum
Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on 2 June 2025About the role: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 Museums role in the Treasure process, safeguarding the finds placed in the Museums care and preparing them for identification and the necessary documentation.When time allows, the postholder will also contribute to the care of the collection through a combination of interventive and preventive measures in support of the museum's operating plan and will proactively 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 the post holder to possess a recognised professional conservation qualification to degree level and demonstrate good general knowledge in the care and conservation of inorganic objects, with an emphasis on freshly excavated archaeological material.Key areas of responsibility:

• To contribute to the conservation of archaeological material, mainly metals.
• To work collaboratively with colleagues within the department and across the Museum, notably the Portable Antiquities Scheme, and the antiquities departments of Money & Medals and British, Europe & Prehistory.
• To record and document recently excavated material.
• To contribute to the Museums outreach activities through public speaking, writing for social media, publishing, etc.
• To act as an advocate for the Museum.
• To work flexibly in line with museum priorities.
• To contribute to the conservation of materials/object types outside of own specialism as necessary.
• To contribute to the preparation of objects for loan, exhibition, and storage.
• To assist with the care of the collection through documentation, surveys, data collection, analysis, and support at public events.
• To contribute to the development of new preventive or interventive measures

About you:

• Recognised professional conservation qualification to degree level or equivalent with emphasis on the conservation of Ceramic, Glass and Metal conservation.
• Specialist knowledge of freshly excavated archaeological material and some experience in field excavation.
• Excellent skills in the conservation of historical and archaeological metals
• Understanding of mechanisms involved in material deterioration.
• Strong 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, including documentation including digital imaging/scanning, etc.
• Practical museum or heritage sector employment (public or private sector) during training placements or courses.
• Open and effective communicator with good spoken and written English.
• Able to demonstrate collaborative team working and communication skills.

About the British Museum:
Founded in 1753, the British Museums 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 Dxc3xbcrer, 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.The interviews are expected to take place on 17 June 2025.
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 338,700 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-jobThe 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. 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.

British Museum