Curator of Natural Sciences

We Manage Jobs(WMJobs); Warwick; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local cultural heritage organization is seeking a natural science collections specialist to manage and develop collections of natural history and geology. This job-share role involves collaborative work on exhibitions and community engagement, requiring a postgraduate qualification and extensive experience in museum collections care. Join a supportive team and shape the preservation of Warwickshire's natural science collections while benefiting from professional development opportunities and generous employee benefits.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

Agile working

Generous annual leave entitlement

Access to employee benefits and discounts

Qualifications

• Extensive experience of managing and interpreting museum collections.
• Demonstrable knowledge of the natural sciences.
• Ability to work collaboratively and creatively.

Responsibilities

• Manage, document, and care for natural history and geology collections.
• Develop exhibitions and activities that inspire and engage.
• Supervise staff and volunteers.

Skills

Knowledge of geological and natural history collections

Strong IT skills

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Collaborative approach

Education

Postgraduate qualification in Museum/Heritage Studies or equivalent experience

Tools

Collections management systems

Job description

About Heritage and Culture Warwickshire

Heritage and Culture Warwickshire (HCW) provide a wide range of services that help local communities and visitors to connect and engage with their local heritage. We safeguard Warwickshire’s archives, history and natural sciences, protect its historic and natural environment and provide high quality arts and cultural opportunities and lifelong learning for everyone in the County and beyond.

Heritage and Culture Warwickshire has several sites based in and around Warwick; Market Hall Museum, St Johns House, Warwickshire County Record Office and the Warwickshire Museum Collections Centre. We are a countywide service and working with partners from within and outside Warwickshire County Council offer outreach services to local communities.

About the Role

We’re looking for a natural science collections specialist with in-depth knowledge to manage and develop collections of animal remains, plant specimens, fossils, rocks and minerals, spanning over half a billion years of Earth history – and share them with audiences across Warwickshire and beyond.

This is a job‑share position as our Curator of Natural Sciences is commencing flexi‑retirement from January 2026, until December 2028. You’ll share responsibilities – leading on caring for and interpreting our Natural History and Geology collections, working collaboratively – across our collecting disciplines – with colleagues and partners to deliver exhibitions, events, and learning activities. This is a hands‑on role where you’ll combine professional collections care with creative interpretation and community engagement.

You will join our team, Heritage and Culture Warwickshire – working closely with the Curator of Human History and Collections Assistants and with colleagues across the services, including learning and community engagement staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage, document, and care for natural history and geology collections.
• Develop exhibitions, other media and activities that inspire and engage.
• Support research, respond to enquiries, and manage loans.
• Supervise staff and volunteers.
• Build partnerships and secure funding to enhance our service and its collections.
• Represent the Museum Service at local, regional, and national levels.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Heritage Culture and Warwickshire.
• Be familiar with and adhere to the Museums Association Code of Ethics.

About You

• Detailed knowledge of geological and natural history collections and demonstrable knowledge of the natural sciences in general.
• Postgraduate qualification in Museum/Heritage Studies or equivalent experience.
• Extensive experience of managing and interpreting museum collections.
• Strong IT skills and experience with collections management systems.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Collaborative, creative, pragmatic and forward‑thinking approach.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to shape how Warwickshire’s natural science collections are preserved and shared. You’ll work in a supportive team, with opportunities for professional development and involvement in, and initiation of, innovative projects.

Location

Market Hall Museum and Warwickshire Museum Collections Centre, Warwick

Job Description

For further information please see the Job Description and Person Specification below; Curator of Natural Sciences

Working for Warwickshire – This is the difference you make

Warwickshire County Council is a place where everyone feels valued, included, safe, supported, and welcome. Our people are at the heart of this vision, could you be one of them!

At Warwickshire County Council we are committed to ensuring Warwickshire’s economy is vibrant and supported by the right jobs, training, skills and infrastructure. Our people vision for Warwickshire County Council is a great place to work where diverse and talented people are enabled to be their best.

Your future matters to us, we provide a generous pension scheme which includes an employer contribution rate of typically around 19 percent per month, to help support your financial security during retirement. The scheme also offers a valuable package of benefits for members and their dependants. To find out more please visit: Warwickshire Pension Fund homepage – Warwickshire Pension Fund

The benefits we offer include agile working, a valuable part of the pay and reward package for employees working in local government, generous annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays and an additional day at Christmas, and access to Vivup benefits and discounts platform.

Click here to view the benefits at Warwickshire County Council.

Additional Information

The Fluency Duty is outlined in the Code of Practice on the English language requirements for public sector workers. The Fluency Duty for this role is Required. You must be able to speak and provide advice in accurate spoken English to the public.

If you are applying for this role on a secondment basis please ensure you have permission from your line manager.

For more information or for an informal conversation about your application, please email: Jon Radley, Curator of Natural Sciences: [e-mail]

Closing date: 5th January 2026

Interviews

Interviews will take place in mid‑January at Market Hall Museum Market Place, Warwick, CV34 4SA

Should you require application forms in an alternative format / language or any adjustments to be made throughout the application process or upon appointment, please contact [e-mail] and we will make every effort to meet your specific requirements.

Warwickshire County Council is committed to equality of opportunity for all employees and is keen to address areas of under representation in its workforce. See more