Collections Move Assistant, NHM Unlocked

Job Description

About the role

Project to assist with the preparation of specimens for the move.

This role is part of the NHM Unlocked collection preparation team working with both life and earth sciences collections and will work under the supervision of a Collection Moves Team Leader. As well as working directly with the collection’s preparation team, you will also work alongside Digitisation, Curators, Data Management Teams, and Library and Archive colleagues. You will follow both established and novel workflows to physically prepare and document specimens prior to relocation.

The postholders may also provide support for the digitisation of collections working with the Unlocked Digitisation team to audit, barcode, and capture digital images and metadata of NHM collections. In addition, the postholder may also be required to provide support for the wider care, management, conservation, and development of the collections working under the supervision of curatorial staff. Training will be provided to give a basic understanding of the organising principles of taxonomy and stratigraphy, and experience in collections management, care, and development.

You may represent the Museum in tours and official events, and get the opportunity to present your work, create content for social media and articles, including blogs.

This role is based at our sites in South Kensington and Wandsworth. Some travel may be required to the new site at Thames Valley Science Park in Reading.

About you

1. Demonstrable interest and/or experience in the field of natural sciences, natural history collections, or a strongly related discipline.
2. Knowledge of museum collections management collections care, and handling, including demonstrable experience of handling small and complex objects. A willingness to handle fragile as well as large and/or heavy specimens (equipment and training will be provided).
3. High degree of attention to detail with an ability to undertake complex and methodical tasks to a high level of accuracy and follow instructions.
4. Excellent IT skills including the ability to check and verify data in documents, spreadsheets, databases, scientific literature, or other sources. Knowledge of collection management systems and collections data desirable.
5. Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Confident and able to deal effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, maintaining positive working relationships.
6. Self-motivated with a demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as work successfully in a team, whilst following guidelines and meeting targets.
7. Flexible and willing to work across collection types, with a pragmatic approach to problem solving.

About Us
We are a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the Museum's unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website.

Today the Museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things.

We employ 900 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive. We need everyone to have the passion and drive to help us with our mission to create advocates for our planet and inspire millions to care about the natural world.

Diversity and inclusion matter to us.

Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment.

We know we have more to do, but we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works at the Museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.

Thriving at the Museum: the way we work
We are proud to work at the Museum and have identified the qualities we all need to embody to reach our shared ambition. This sits alongside the Museum’s values and forms the framework for the way we work.

Find out more here

What we offer

• 27.5 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (full time equivalent)
• Generous defined contribution Natural History Museum Pension Scheme (employer contribution 4 - 10%)
• Season ticket, bicycle and rental loan
• Life insurance
• Free admission to our exhibitions and many other paid exhibitions at museums, galleries and institutions across London and the UK.
• Staff discount at our Museum shops and cafes
• We offer a wide variety of training initiatives and opportunities to build skills. Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about helping staff to grow and fulfil their potential.
• Affordable membership to the Civil Service Sports Council which offers a range of benefits including an extensive list of special offers and reduced entry fees at a selection of cinema chains, theme parks, theatres, retailers and supermarkets. It also provides entry to up to 300 English Heritage sites and other national treasures. For more details, visit https://www.cssc.co.uk
• Membership to our Sports and Social Association (for a small fee), which includes access to our in-house gym and clubs such as football, softball, table tennis and tennis and classes in Middle Eastern dance, yoga and Tai Chi