Specialist Associate, Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (One year contract, renewable)

National University of Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Singapore seeks a Specialist Associate to ensure the smooth operation and maintenance of its natural history museum gallery. The ideal candidate will have a diploma or equivalent and will assist in curating exhibitions, maintain facilities, and perform basic AV/IT troubleshooting. The role involves weekend work and coordination with contractors. Strong communication skills and physical fitness are essential for this hands-on position.

Qualifications

• Must not be afraid of seeing and handling dead animals and preserved specimens.
• Able to coordinate and supervise contractors.
• Willing to perform fire-response duties and be part of emergency response teams.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day operation and upkeep of the museum gallery.
• Conduct checks and troubleshooting of AV/IT systems and exhibits.
• Assist in curation and installation of temporary exhibitions.
• Monitor gallery operations during weekends and facilitate events.

Skills

Good English communication skills

Fine hand motor skills

Ability to work on weekends

Ability to coordinate and supervise contractors

Willing to perform hands-on tasks

Able-bodied and physically fit

Open to learning new skills

Education

NITEC, Diploma holders or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Photoshop

Illustrator

Job description

Specialist Associate, Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (One year contract, renewable)

Posting Start Date: 13/08/2025

Job Description

The Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) is Singapore’s only natural history museum, located at the National University of Singapore. We are looking for a Specialist Associate to support the day-to-day operation, upkeep, and presentation of the museum gallery. This is a hands‑on role focused on gallery maintenance, basic AV/IT troubleshooting, curation of temporary exhibitions, and supporting facilities within a museum environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Gallery and Exhibit Maintenance
  • Conduct regular checks and basic troubleshooting of AV/IT systems, interactive exhibits, and gallery lighting.
  • Perform routine adjustments (e.g., focusing lights, replacing bulbs) and assist with exhibit upkeep.
  • Ensure a safe working environment within the gallery and behind the scenes.
• Exhibition Support
  • Assist in curation, preparation, and installation of temporary exhibitions, including mounting specimens, showcase layout, setting up text panels and graphics.
• Operations & Contractor Coordination
  • Coordinate and supervise contractors on site for technical maintenance or repairs.
  • Ensure work is completed safely and satisfactorily.
• Weekend & Event Support
  • Monitor gallery operations during weekends and public holidays and assist front‑of‑house in the event of emergencies.
  • Assist in facilitating events hosted in the gallery or museum lobby.

Purpose of Post

The key deliverable will be the support of gallery maintenance. The requested staff will assist with curating exhibitions, such as planning and preparing specimens for display and readying the prints of exhibit text and graphic displays for the temporary exhibitions hosted in the museum's temporary gallery. They will also assist in maintaining the AV/IT and interactive exhibits; adjusting and focusing gallery lighting, replacing faulty lights, and performing other required troubleshooting.

The museum building reaches its 10th year in 2025 and there is an increase in gallery maintenance requirements due to the aging facilities and systems. The requested staff will assist to ensure a safe work environment. Where appointed specialist contractors are involved for further technical repairs and maintenance, the requested staff will liaise and supervise the contractors as they perform their duties on site.

Qualifications

• NITEC, Diploma holders or equivalent.
• An understanding of the building/museum sector or visitor/heritage attractions is desirable.
• Good English communication skills in both writing and speaking, adaptable in conversing.
• Must not be afraid of seeing and handling dead animals and preserved specimens.
• Demonstrate ability to have fine hand motor skills, for handling specimens without damaging them.
• Willing to perform hands‑on tasks and utilize various equipment and tools.
• Able to work in a team and independently.
• Able to coordinate and supervise contractors.
• Open to learning new skills and assist in regular facilities checks.
• Able-bodied and physically fit to perform building‑wide checks, able to climb ladder and lift loads of up to 15 kg.
• Must not be afraid of moderate heights (for work carried out above ground level).
• Must be willing to perform fire‑response duties, such as being part of the museum’s Company Emergency Response Team (CERT).
• Able to use Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Photoshop and Illustrator skills are desirable.
• Must be able to work on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) & Public Holidays on a shift basis; and occasional irregular hours (e.g., special events) as and when required.
• Has no known allergies to ethanol, moth balls (naphthalene or 1,4-dichlorobenzene), and formaldehyde.
• Willing to attend relevant courses for upskilling and lifelong learning.

More Information

Location: Kent Ridge Campus

Organization: Science

Department: Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum

Job requisition ID: 27558