Natural History Engagement Coordinator (Fixed Term)

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Cambridge is seeking an enthusiastic Natural History Engagement Coordinator to join the Collections-Connections-Communities (CCC) initiative. The role focuses on coordinating engagement, training and learning programmes to broaden access to the University’s significant natural history collections.

You will build networks with museums, botanic gardens and archives, coordinate communities of practice, and support projects linking collections to biodiversity, environmental change and

Qualifications

• Experience developing, coordinating or delivering externally focused programmes, events, or training activities.
• Strong communication and networking skills essential for stakeholder engagement.
• Knowledge of biodiversity collections and research context is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate a varied programme of engagement and training activities based on natural history collections.
• Co-design and deliver training, workshops, seminars and learning resources.
• Build relationships with museums, botanic gardens, herbaria, libraries and archives.
• Support collaborative projects to connect collections with biodiversity, sustainability and research impact.

Skills

Communication skills

Networking

Project coordination

Public engagement

Education

Degree in biodiversity/natural sciences

Postgraduate or teaching qualification (advantage)

Job description

We are looking for an enthusiastic and well-connected Natural History Engagement Coordinator to join Collections-Connections-Communities (CCC), a Strategic Research Initiative at the University of Cambridge which empowers researchers to use the University's collections to address the big questions of our time. Cambridge holds one of the world's most significant natural history collections ¿ internationally important zoological, botanical, geological and palaeontological specimens and living collections, alongside related archives, rare books and artworks. This is a fixed-term post within a new Collections and Participation team, funded for one year in the first instance, with potential extension to July 2030, working alongside a Programmes Coordinator and two Research Associates.

You will coordinate a varied programme of engagement and training activities based on these collections and the research around them, broadening access for external audiences, communities and partners. You will co-design and deliver training and learning programmes, workshops, seminars and resources that build capacity, working with natural history collections, biodiversity data and living collections. You will build relationships with museums, botanic gardens, herbaria, conservation organisations, libraries and archives, coordinate networks and communities of practice connecting collection professionals, researchers, educators and policymakers, and support collaborative projects that ensure our collections-based research will impact on the challenges of biodiversity, environmental change and sustainability.

We're looking for someone with experience of developing, coordinating or delivering externally focused programmes, events, workshops or training activities, and of working with natural history collections, museums, botanic gardens, herbaria or biodiversity organisations. An understanding of the role of these collections in research, conservation, education and innovation, and of public engagement and knowledge exchange in a research or cultural environment, is essential, as are excellent communication and networking skills, strong project coordination skills, and a degree or equivalent professional experience in biodiversity, natural sciences or a natural history discipline. Knowledge of other collection domains, familiarity with digitisation or biodiversity informatics, experience of designing learning programmes for a range of ages, and a postgraduate or teaching qualification would be an advantage.

This is a chance to work across a collections ecosystem of exceptional depth, where the most interesting opportunities often emerge in the connections between a specimen, a living plant, an archive and a rare book. The networks you build will help maximise the value of collections that speak directly to biodiversity loss and environmental change. Occasional evening and weekend working, and occasional travel within the UK and internationally, may be required.

If you'd like to connect one of the world's great natural history collections with the people and organisations who need it, we'd love to hear from you.

Fixed‑term: The funds for this post are available for 1 year in the first instance.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.