Project Conservator - Objects (Greenbaum Microscope Collection)

University of Oxford Gardens, Libraries & Museums; Oxford; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

38 days annual leave

Excellent contributory pension scheme

Childcare services

Job summary

University of Oxford Gardens, Libraries & Museums is seeking a professional conservator for a 12‑month, full‑time role at the History of Science Museum in Oxford. The postholder will undertake detailed condition assessment, conservation treatment and documentation of microscopes, magic lanterns and related objects, while working closely with the Greenbaum Curator to integrate conservation and cataloguing.

The role requires a recognised conservation qualification or equivalent experience, strong

Qualifications

• Recognised professional qualification in conservation (or equivalent experience).
• Experience in high-quality interventive and preventive conservation on complex objects.
• Experience with collections management systems and clear conservation documentation.

Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed condition assessment on microscopes, magic lanterns and related objects.
• Perform conservation treatment and document processes.
• Collaborate with the Greenbaum Curator to integrate conservation with cataloguing.

Skills

Communication

Conservation methods

Documentation

Team collaboration

Education

Conservation qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Details

Location: History of Science Museum, Oxford OX1 3AZ

Category: Conservation

Salary: £35,681 - £41,636 per annum

Contract type: Contract Contract

Hours: Full time

Telephone: n/a

About the role

The role combines hands‑on conservation with project‑based collection development. The postholder will undertake detailed condition assessment, conservation treatment, and documentation of a large and varied group of microscopes, magic lanterns and associated objects, while working in close partnership with the Greenbaum Curator to ensure that conservation and cataloguing processes are fully integrated. This is a highly collaborative role requiring the ability to communicate specialist knowledge clearly to colleagues from a range of disciplines.

This is a full‑time, fixed‑term position, working 37.5 hours per week for 12 months.

Due to the nature of this post, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a satisfactory Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) due to having direct access to the museum collections.

About You

You will hold a recognised professional qualification in conservation (or equivalent experience) with a specialism in objects conservation. You will have demonstrable experience of undertaking high‑quality interventive and preventive conservation on complex objects, ideally including scientific or mechanical instruments. You will also have strong practical skills and judgement in the treatment of composite objects, with an understanding of appropriate materials, techniques, and ethical frameworks, and experience of producing clear, accurate, and well‑structured conservation documentation and working with collections management systems.

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days of annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans

More information is available at https://www.ox.ac.uk/about/jobs/life-in-oxford

Diversity

Our staff and students come from all over the world, and we proudly promote a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through diverse groups and champions, as well as a number of family‑friendly policies, such as the right to apply for flexible working and support for staff returning from periods of extended absence, for example, shared parental leave.

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment processes are inclusive and accessible. If you require the job description or any other materials in an alternative format, or if you would like to request any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please contact the recruitment team at [e-mail].

National Museum Directors' Council, National Museums Liverpool, World Museum, WilliamBrown Street, Liverpool, L3 8EN