Group Conservation Scientist
Are you able to use your knowledge and expertise in chemical science and adapt it to our collections? Could you review current policies and standard operating procedures and design effective processes for the management of hazardous collections?
About us
The 545-acre Science and Innovation Park is the home of the Science Museum Group's National Collections Centre (NCC), our hub for collections management and access. As the Conservation and Collections Care team we are responsible for the physical care of the objects in the Science Museum Group collections which span science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.
We are recruiting for a Group Conservation Scientist to join our team based at the NCC at the Science and Innovation Park in Wroughton, Swindon. This is a full-time role working 35 hours per week on a permanent contract with hybrid working also available.
About the role
You will be working on a project that aims to develop a comprehensive hazardous materials library and dataset, that can be shared with the wider sector, both to raise awareness and increase research and understanding, including around safe and practical management.
Bringing your knowledge and expertise of chemical science and adapting it to collections, you will research our collections and be responsible for designing effective processes for the management of hazardous collections and sharing that knowledge both internally and externally. You will review our ways of working, including our policies, standard operating procedures and risk assessments, ensuring our processes are practical and safe and that any changes are communicated and implemented.
You will also set up and roll out processes for efficiently using our scientific equipment across the Group. There will be potential for line management responsibilities, and you will matrix manage as the projects require.
About you
Joining us you will have substantial experience of scientific analysis using a range of equipment, in addition to experience working with a range of hazardous materials and implementing risk management approaches.
Crucially, you will be able to assess complex situations and generate solutions and you will have the ability to apply your scientific expertise to cultural collection material and ensure practical advice and work is fit for purpose.
You will have experience of writing standard operating procedures and presenting and publishing research. This role will also require you to use effective leadership, influencing and communication skills, to work effectively with internal stakeholders, subject specialists and external consultants or contactors.
Applying
View the Vacancy Information Pack listed under 'Attachments' on the vacancy listing on our website for more details about the role and the application process, or click 'Apply Online' to submit an application.
Don't feel you meet all of the criteria? At SMG, we are committed to building a workforce that is open for all, and welcome you to apply, even if your experience doesn't fit perfectly. With your transferable skills, you could be the right candidate for this, or other opportunities that we have.
What we offer
Joining us as an employee, you will have the opportunity to develop your career in a world-class museum group. We understand that work/life balance and wellbeing is crucial to our colleagues, so we offer the perks listed below, as well as support for things that happen in life such as parental and adoption leave, sickness, and career breaks.
- Support with personal and professional development
- 27 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays
- Employee assistance programme
- Enhanced contributory pension
- Unmind App and other wellbeing support
- Interest-free loans
- Days Out discounts
- Health & Dental Insurance
Open for All is one of the Science Museum Group's five core values and sets out our important aspiration to be a place for everyone. We are working hard to understand our organisation better and to foster a culture that recognises and values different backgrounds, mindsets, skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise. By having greater diversity, we believe that we will be a stronger and better organisation, capable to continue to Inspire Futures.
