Collections Care Assistant

www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk - Jobboard; Bradford; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent museum organization in Bradford is seeking a Collections Care Assistant to engage in various conservation and collections care activities. The role involves environmental monitoring and cleaning, condition reporting, and supporting preventative conservation tasks. Ideal candidates will have some experience in a museum and be proficient with basic digital tools. This is a fixed-term role until March 2026, working Monday to Friday in a team-driven environment.

Benefits

27 days annual leave

Health & Dental Insurance

Enhanced contributory pension

Interest-free loans

Great discounts on exhibitions and shops

Qualifications

• Dedication to caring for historic collections.
• Experience working or volunteering in a museum.
• Practical understanding of collections care principles.

Responsibilities

• Support environmental monitoring and conservation cleaning.
• Perform condition reporting and data management.
• Assist with preventative conservation tasks.

Skills

Collections care principles

Experience in a museum or cultural environment

Organizational skills

Basic digital tools proficiency

Tools

MIMSY XG

Job description

Do you have a keen interest in preserving historic objects and making sure collections are cared for to the highest standards?

About us

The Science Museum Group (SMG) is the largest and most complex museum estate in the country which also houses a scientific collection of international significance.

The National Science and Media Museum in Bradford explores the science and culture of image and sound technologies, and their impact on our lives. The Museum displays world-famous collections in photography, film, animation, broadcast and sound and gaming technologies.

About the role

As a Collections Care Assistant, you will be involved in a wide variety of conservation and collections care activities which include supporting the environmental monitoring and conservation cleaning of the collections,

Tasks will include performing condition reporting, data management, recording and using best practise to meet strategic and statutory requirements. You will assist with preventative conservation tasks including protecting the collection ahead of ongoing improvement works within the collection stores.

In this role you will carry out a diverse range of activities, working closely Conservation and Collections Care (C&CC) colleagues and those across other Collection Services Departments.

This role provides a unique opportunity to broaden your skills and knowledge working across all major aspects or collections management.

This role is a fixed term contract until March 2026, working Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week, based at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford.

About you

We're keen to see applications from candidates who are dedicated to caring for historic collections and who bring a meticulous, respectful approach to handling, cleaning, and storing fragile objects. You'll have some experience working or volunteering in a museum, heritage, or cultural environment, and a practical understanding of collections care principles.

We're especially interested in people who are organised, hands-on, and comfortable managing their own tasks while working as part of a team. Proficiency with basic digital tools like Word, Excel and Outlook is important, as is a values-driven mindset and a genuine commitment to contributing to an inclusive, collaborative workplace.

Experience with collection databases (especially MIMSY XG), preventive conservation tasks like IPM or environmental monitoring, or previous involvement in cataloguing or object documentation would be beneficial, but if you're motivated, reliable and willing to learn, we'd like to hear from you.

Don't feel you meet all the criteria? We welcome you to apply even if your experience doesn't match directly. With your transferable skills, you could be the right candidate for this, or other opportunities that we have.

Applying

View the Vacancy Information Pack listed under 'Attachments' on the vacancy listing on our website for more details about the role and the application process or click 'Apply Online' to submit an application.

What we offer

Working with a world-leading museum group that offers access to truly unique environments and collections, you'll benefit from the perks listed below, as well as full support for life events such as parental and adoption leave, sickness, and career breaks.

• Meaningful work. We're a mission-led organisation where the work you do supports us in Inspiring Futures.
• Career growth. We offer enhanced support with personal and professional development.
• Work/life balance. We offer 27 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, along with flexible policies which support you and your home life.
• Health & Dental Insurance. Extra peace of mind, from day one.
• All our colleagues can access an employee assistance programme, access to the Unmind app, and other wellbeing support.
• Colleague networks. Our colleague-led networks are an informal forum for colleagues to come together to discuss topics of shared interest and lived experience. They create a space for people to exchange ideas, discuss best practice, socialise and build a sense of community.
• Enhanced contributory pension. To support you in saving for the future.
• Interest-free loans. When you need a little extra cash for life events or home improvements.
• Great discounts. Free entry to exhibitions, discounts in our shops, cafes, and access to other museums in the NMDC network.

Open for All is one of the Science Museum Group's five core values and sets out our important aspiration to be a place for everyone. We are working hard to understand our organisation better and to develop a culture that recognises and values different backgrounds, mindsets, skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise. By having greater diversity, we believe that we will be a stronger and better organisation, capable to continue to Inspire Futures.