Job Description
About Us
We are a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the Museum's unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website.
Today the Museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things.
We employ 900 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive. We need everyone to have the passion and drive to help us with our mission to create advocates for our planet and inspire millions to care about the natural world.
The Natural History Museum Herbarium
Assembled over more than 300 years and comprising an estimated 5.4 million specimens, the herbarium at the Natural History Museum is an unparalleled global collection of botanical specimens. Flowering plants, gymnosperms, ferns and fern-allies, bryophytes, algae (including diatoms), lichens and slime moulds are all represented in the collection and it is a unique resource with which to understand plant diversity and how it has changed through time.
The person appointed to the role of Herbarium Technician will play a key role in ensuring that the collections are kept safe, secure and accessible for users, by preparing and mounting herbarium specimens following agreed standards and protocols and providing support for other routine curatorial tasks.
The post holder will work closely with NHM colleagues in the specimen preparation team and with colleagues more widely in the botanical collections team. This is an exciting opportunity for a person with a practical hands-on approach to contribute to the future development of the Natural History Museum’s botanical collections.
Diversity and inclusion matter to us.
Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment.
We know we have more to do, but we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works at the Museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.
About the role
Embedded within the Algae, Fungi and Plants Collections Team, this post will provide support for the management, conservation and development of the NHM botanical collections by preparing (including laying out), repairing and/or mounting herbarium specimens following agreed standards and protocols and supporting other curatorial tasks as required.
We are looking for someone with an interest in natural history collections who has an understanding of practical aspects of handling fragile objects and can demonstrate an ability to follow agreed protocols. We would expect applicants to have some experience of mounting herbarium specimens and of using computer programmes for basic data entry. The post would suit applicants looking for a practical, hands-on role, helping to maintain and develop one of the largest herbaria in the world.
About you
We are looking for someone who has:
· Familiarity with practical aspects of handling fragile objects
· Experience of working with natural history collections.
· Working knowledge of the key morphological characters of seed plants and ferns.
· Experience of mounting herbarium specimens, especially seed plants (ferns and algae would be desirable).
· Computer literate, and experience with excel and databases.
· Ability to follow instructions and work to agreed protocols.
· Ability to work effectively alone and/or as part of a team.
· Willingness to train and work with volunteers if required.
· Ability to effectively manage time and workload.
· Experience or willingness to engage in public outreach.
What we offer
· 27.5 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (full time equivalent)
· Generous defined contribution Natural History Museum Pension Scheme (employer contribution 4 - 10%)
· Season ticket, bicycle and rental loan
· Life insurance
· Free admission to our exhibitions and many other paid exhibitions at museums, galleries and institutions across London and the UK.
· Staff discount at our Museum shops and cafes
· We offer a wide variety of training initiatives and opportunities to build skills. Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about helping staff to grow and fulfil their potential.
· Affordable membership to the Civil Service Sports Council which offers a range of benefits including an extensive list of special offers and reduced entry fees at a selection of cinema chains, theme parks, theatres, retailers and supermarkets. It also provides entry to up to 300 English Heritage sitesand other national treasures. For more details, visit https://www.cssc.co.uk
· Membership to our Sports and Social Association (for a small fee), which includes access to our in-house gym and clubs such as football, softball, table tennis and tennis and classes in Middle Eastern dance, yoga and Tai Chi
How to apply
If that sounds like you, please apply online on the Natural History Museum’s careers portal,
at https://careers.nhm.ac.uk/
Closing date: 9am, Wednesday 3rd May 2023
Interviews expected w/c 15th May 2023
Salary: £24,186 per annum pro-rata
Please note that this role does not qualify for Museum sponsorship so the successful postholder will need to have a valid right to work in the UK at the point of offer.
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Part-time hours: 21.6 per week
Salary: Up to £24,186.00 per year
Benefits:
- Canteen
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Flexitime
- Gym membership
- On-site gym
- Sick pay
- Store discount
Schedule:
Work Location: One location
Application deadline: 03/05/2023
Reference ID: Natural History Museum
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