Contact and enquiries

You can contact the Department of Conservation and Scientific Research:

by email:

conservation@britishmuseum.org
science@britishmuseum.org

by telephone:

+44 (0)20 7323 8279
fax: +44 (0)20 7323 8636

by post:

Department of Conservation and Scientific Research
The British Museum
Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3DG

Finding a job in conservation, conservation science or as a museum scientist

All posts in the department, which are open to external applicants, will be advertised on the Museum’s jobs page. We also advertise in professional conservation journals and on relevant websites or email distribution lists.

Conservation science and museum science jobs are normally advertised in New Scientist and via the Conservation DistList.

For more information: 

Conservation DistList
ICON
IIC
Leicester University Museum Jobs Desk
Museum Jobs
National Museum Jobs
NewScientist

Training in conservation (and preventive conservation)

The department provides a limited number of internships each year for students attending recognized conservation courses, nationally and internationally. There are also occasional opportunities for periods of professional mid-career development for already practising conservators.

The minimum period for a placement is eight weeks, although a longer period is desirable.

We do not run training courses, but, subject to negotiation, we can provide training for conservators from other public institutions who need to learn a particular skill which is available at the British Museum, for example, the conservation of coins, cuneiform tablets or papyrus.

Please note that all such internships and placements are unpaid and students/conservators must cover their own costs.

The department is unable to provide work experience for secondary school students.

Staff from the department also lecture on training courses and are on the examining boards for conservation courses and for students taking higher degrees in universities and similar institutions.

Placements/fellowships in science

We are unable to offer a regular scheme of funded fellowships or placements in our Scientific Research section but may be able to offer a period of post-graduate or post-doctoral research on a volunteer basis. If candidates have an area of interest/research that coincides with our ongoing departmental programme of work and research we will try to support applications to suitable grant-giving bodies to allow candidates to spend a period (preferably a minimum of two months) working in the department.

In addition, where possible, we provide training for conservation and museum scientists from other public institutions who need to learn a particular skill which is available in the British Museum.