Conservator: Masterplan

British Museum; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free exhibition entry

Civil Service Pension Scheme

25 days’ annual leave

Social and wellbeing perks

Learning and development

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

The British Museum is seeking a Conservator: Masterplan to safeguard and preserve our collection during a major large-object decant and associated projects. The role focuses on conservation of stone, wall paintings and mosaics, with preventive and interventive work and opportunities to contribute to research and display development.

As a key member of the Masterplan team, you will uphold high standards of preservation, collaborate with Collection Care and Moves, and support public engagement,

Qualifications

• Recognised professional conservation qualification with emphasis on stone, wall paintings and mosaics.
• Hands-on experience in conserving these materials.
• Understanding of material deterioration, preventive conservation and ethical decision‑making.

Responsibilities

• Carry out conservation treatments focused on stone, wall paintings and mosaics.
• Support large-object decant and storage procedures, ensuring conservation procedures are followed.
• Support surveys, documentation, data collection and analysis for conservation projects.
• Collaborate across Conservation, Collection Care and Moves and wider museum teams.
• Ensure best practice and compliance with health and safety standards.
• Contribute to outreach through public speaking, publishing and events.
• Assist with developing new conservation measures and funding bid ideas.

Skills

Stone conservation

Wall paintings

Mosaics

Preventive conservation

Ethical decision-making

Communication

Team player

IT skills

Education

Conservation qualification (degree level or equivalent)

Job description

The British Museum is embarking on a transformational Masterplan programme — an ambitious, long-term redevelopment of our galleries and collection spaces. We are seeking a Conservator: Masterplan to help safeguard our collection during a major large object decant and associated critical projects. This is a unique opportunity to help preserve, research, and support the display of some of the world’s most significant cultural heritage.

In this role, you will care for the collection, ensuring its long-term stability and protection, through a combination of interventive and preventive measures for a range of objects. This includes large objects, with a particular focus on stone, wall paintings and mosaics.

This is an excellent opportunity for flexible and proactive conservator with specialist knowledge of stone, wall paintings and conservation.

About you

We are looking for someone who combines strong practical conservation skills with excellent communication and collaborative abilities.

• A recognised professional conservation qualification (degree level or equivalent) with emphasis on stone, wall paintings and mosaics.
• Demonstrable hands‑on experience in conserving these materials.
• Understanding of material deterioration, preventive conservation, and ethical decision‑making. Ideally, with some involvement in preventive conservation activities.
• Able to adapt to rapidly changing situations and be a great team player.
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to prioritise, organise and deliver work to deadlines.
• Good IT skills and competence across relevant software and systems.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to present work publicly.

Key areas of responsibility

• Carry out conservation treatments with a focus on stone, wall paintings and mosaics.
• Support the large-object decant project, caring for objects relocated to storage and ensure that Conservation procedures and processes are maintained.
• Support conservation projects, including surveys, documentation, data collection, and analysis.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Conservation, Collection Care and Moves, and wider museum teams.
• Ensure best practice and compliance with current health and safety standards.
• Contribute to outreach activities through public speaking, publishing, and supporting public events.
• Assist with developing new conservation measures and ideas for funding bids.

The British Museum is undertaking its biggest transformation since its founding nearly 300 years ago. This physical and intellectual transformation includes large scale building and gallery transformation, new ways of connecting with audiences and different ways of working. As we look towards this exciting future, we remain guided by the words of our founder Hans Sloane - who dreamed of a museum connecting all arts and sciences, which would be accessible to everyone, everywhere.

Vacancy Type Fixed Term Contract length Fixed term for 12 months Working Pattern Full Time Is hybrid working available? No Location Bloomsbury, London Salary £33,470 per annum Application Deadline Sunday, September 13, 2026 Job Profile Job Profile document

Role Summary

The British Museum is embarking on a transformational Masterplan programme — an ambitious, long-term redevelopment of our galleries and collection spaces. We are seeking a Conservator: Masterplan to help safeguard our collection during a major large object decant and associated critical projects. This is a unique opportunity to help preserve, research, and support the display of some of the world’s most significant cultural heritage.

In this role, you will care for the collection, ensuring its long-term stability and protection, through a combination of interventive and preventive measures for a range of objects. This includes large objects, with a particular focus on stone, wall paintings and mosaics.

This is an excellent opportunity for flexible and proactive conservator with specialist knowledge of stone, wall paintings and conservation.

About the role

We are looking for someone who combines strong practical conservation skills with excellent communication and collaborative abilities.

• A recognised professional conservation qualification (degree level or equivalent) with emphasis on stone, wall paintings and mosaics.
• Demonstrable hands‑on experience in conserving these materials.
• Understanding of material deterioration, preventive conservation, and ethical decision‑making. Ideally, with some involvement in preventive conservation activities.
• Able to adapt to rapidly changing situations and be a great team player.
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to prioritise, organise and deliver work to deadlines.
• Good IT skills and competence across relevant software and systems.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to present work publicly.

Key areas of responsibility

• Carry out conservation treatments with a focus on stone, wall paintings and mosaics.
• Support the large-object decant project, caring for objects relocated to storage and ensure that Conservation procedures and processes are maintained.
• Support conservation projects, including surveys, documentation, data collection, and analysis.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Conservation, Collection Care and Moves, and wider museum teams.
• Ensure best practice and compliance with current health and safety standards.
• Contribute to outreach activities through public speaking, publishing, and supporting public events.
• Assist with developing new conservation measures and ideas for funding bids.

The Masterplan

The British Museum is undertaking its biggest transformation since its founding nearly 300 years ago. This physical and intellectual transformation includes large scale building and gallery transformation, new ways of connecting with audiences and different ways of working. As we look towards this exciting future, we remain guided by the words of our founder Hans Sloane - who dreamed of a museum connecting all arts and sciences, which would be accessible to everyone, everywhere.

Benefits

At the British Museum, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do and have designed a benefits package that goes beyond the ordinary. Our full list of benefits can be found here , but we’ve outlined some highlights below:

• Free exhibition entry for you and guests, exclusive private views, ICOM and reciprocal museum access.
• Civil Service Pension Scheme defined benefit with 28.97% employer contribution.
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays and 2.5 privilege days (and +5 days after 10 years).
• Social and wellbeing perks including Staff parties, social clubs, CSSC sports and leisure, and support from the Civil Service Retirement Fellowship.
• Learning and development through courses, mentoring and Athena as well as support for professional qualifications.
• Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7 for counselling, wellbeing support and more.

Values

Our values drive everything we do, from how we handle our objects to how we work in our team to fostering a culture where everyone feels heard and empowered:

• Care Deeply
• Embrace the Unknown
• Spark Curiosity
• Value Many Voices

These are a core part of how we recruit. Throughout the application, interview and selection process, we look for examples of how candidates demonstrate these behaviours in their own work and experiences. We encourage you to familiarise yourself with our values and reflect them in your application.

Additional information

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