Conservation Scientist

Location: St Pancras
Hours: Permanent – Full time
Grade: B
Salary: £33,600

The British Library is looking for a Conservation Scientist to join the Conservation Science team.

The Conservation Scientist role is to undertake technical examination and analysis of materials that will deepen understanding of items in the British Library’s collections and ensure their preservation;
To plan, deliver heritage science projects, in collaboration with colleagues across the BL and external partners, and support Collection Care’s research priorities;
To participate in daily activities to assist the imaging and analytical needs of the department and other teams in the organisation.

The Conservation Scientist will have:
- a MSc (or equivalent) in heritage science, chemistry, materials science or relevant science subject, or appropriate work experience;
- Experience of research, materials analysis, data manipulation and interpretation;
- Experience of working in a lab environment in university or other environment (analytical laboratory, museum or equivalent);
- Knowledge of materials science and the interactions between materials and their environment.

The successful candidate will also:
• Initiate and collaborate in research projects and manage relationship development both within the British Library and with external partners.
• Contribute to the support and maintenance of the Conservation Science laboratory and equipment, including access, training and advise to other users
• Lead on own specialism in heritage science and enhance the British Library’s reputation as a scientific research institution

For more information, please check the job description.

As one of the world’s great libraries, our duty is to preserve the nation’s intellectual memory for the future and make it available to all for research, inspiration and enjoyment. At present, we have well over 170 million items, in most known languages, with three million new items added every year. We have manuscripts, maps, newspapers, magazines, prints and drawings, music scores, and patents. We make our collections and programmes available to all. We operate the world’s largest document delivery service providing millions of items a year to customers all over the world. What matters to us is that we preserve the national memory and enable knowledge to be created both now and in the future by anyone, anywhere. 

In return, we offer a competitive salary and a number of excellent benefits.  Our pension scheme is one of the most valuable benefits we offer, as our staff can become members of the Alpha Pension Scheme where the Library contributes a minimum of 28.97% (this may be higher dependant on grade. Another significant benefit the Library provides is the provision of a flexible working hours scheme which could allow you to work your hours flexibly over the week and to take up to 5 days flexi leave in a 3 month period. This is on top of 25 days holiday from entry and public and privilege holidays. 

Closing date:  27 October 2024
Interview date:  11 & 13 November 2024

We are unable to provide sponsorship under the UK Skilled Worker visa for this role, as it does not meet the eligibility criteria required for this immigration route

Museum Website: https://ce0752li.webitrent.com/ce0752li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC179GF.open?WVID=5071482BMD