Natural History Conservator position at the Natural History Museum of Denmark, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen

The Natural History Museum of Denmark is seeking 2 experienced natural history conservators to join the Conservation Unit and assist with the preparation of objects for the new permanent galleries. The position is available from November 1st, 2024, or soon thereafter. Currently the position is funded for a 2-year period, with the possibility of extension.

The main role of the conservators is to assist the Conservation Unit with planning and undertaking varied object treatments, packing, transport and installation of the many new exhibitions for the new museum project.

About Us

The Natural History Museum of Denmark is the national museum for nature and contains more than 14 million objects of preserved animals, plants, fossils and minerals. Natural history museums have never been more important for monitoring the impact of climate change and the direct human threat to plant and animal life.

We are currently building a new Danish national museum for nature. One big museum site in the Botanical Garden at the center of Copenhagen will host state-of-the-art laboratories, outstanding research collections, new public galleries, and combined facilities for programming, education, and citizen science. Over the next few years, the museum aims to change the way people think about and use natural history museums.

Primary focus of the Conservation Unit will be to conserve, prepare and install various objects for the new public galleries which are currently being developed in connection with the build of a new national Natural History Museum. Currently, seven exhibition core groups are developing the content of the new permanent galleries, which are planned to open to the public at the end of 2026. The objects to be prepared for the new exhibits include mainly specimens from the museum’s vast historic collections but will also include preparations of new acquisitions. The exhibitions will cover all areas of geology, botany and zoology.

The Natural History Museum of Denmark offers a friendly and thriving international research and work environment. International candidates may find information on living and working in Denmark at www.workindenmark.dk. Useful information is also available at The International Staff Mobility office (ISM) at the University of Copenhagen (https://ism.ku.dk).

Responsibilities for the Conservators include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting the Head of Conservation Unit with day-to-day management of the conservation lab, and scheduling of object treatments as required by the exhibition groups.
• Assisting the wider museum with preventive conservation needs and advice.
• Investigation, planning and undertaking conservation treatments on a variety of natural history collection types.
• Writing conservation reports for objects, including detailed photography.
• Organising and supervising projects for interns, volunteers and collections assistance where required.
• Overseeing the packing and transport of objects and assisting in the final installation of objects into the permanent galleries.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Education as conservator or equivalent academic degree combined with equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of all aspects of remedial conservation of natural history objects (including taxidermy, skeletal preparations, paleontological and fluid preparations) and preventive conservation expertise. It is an advantage if you are highly specialised in one of these areas.
• Experience working in large-scale collection moves.
• Ability to independently investigate and develop new specimen preparation methods.
• Good communication and writing skills, both general but particularly on technical issues.
• Ability to manage and prioritise a varied and flexible workload in an efficient and co-operative manner is essential.
• As a minimum fluent in English (written and spoken).
• A demonstrable interest in and enthusiasm for science communication and experience of sharing content via multiple social networks will be an advantage.

Additional information

More information about the position can be obtained from the Head of Conservation Unit, Bethany Palumbo ([email protected]) and Deputy Museum Director of Collections, Nikolaj Scharff ([email protected]).

More general information about the Natural History Museum of Denmark is available from our website www.snm.ku.dk.

Terms of salary and employment
The employment and salary is made in accordance with the Circular on the Collective Agreement concerning academics in the state sector concluded between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) where the employment will be as academic officer or with other relevant Agreement.

It is possible to negotiate additional salary according to documented previous experience and special qualifications.

The working time is 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

How to apply

The application must be in English and submitted electronically via Jobportalen (click on the link "Apply Now" at the bottom of the post).

Please include:

• Cover Letter, stating your motivation and background for applying.

• CV

• Diploma and transcripts of records

Deadline for applications is Sept 27th 2024, at 23:59 GMT +2.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender or personal background.

The Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen – or SCIENCE – is Denmark's largest science research and education institution with 4,000 employees and 9,700 Bachelor and Master's students in 12 departments. The Faculty has an annual budget of DKK 3 billion.

Learn more about The Faculty of Science at www.science.ku.dk