Curatorial Assistant, Defra Lichens

2 months ago

London, United Kingdom Natural History Museum Full time

**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.

This is an exciting time to join the Museum as we have secured investment from the UK Government to build a new science and digitisation centre at Thames Valley Science Park, University of Reading. The purpose-built centre will house much of the Museum's collection and will include laboratories, digitisation suites, collaborative research spaces, conservation labs and workspaces.

**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.

**Job Summary**

Despite their importance, fungi have been historically under-researched compared with plants and animals. Of an estimated 2.5 million fungal species, only 300,000 have been identified and named. DNA-based identification has the potential to plug this gap.

The Natural History Museum’s Lichen Collection is one of the world's largest collections of lichenised fungi with over 400,000 specimens including around 7,000 types. As part of a wider DEFRA-funded fungal genomics project in collaboration with Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the NHM will be sequencing the whole genome of at least 1,200 of its lichen type specimens to bring about a paradigm shift in the way lichenised fungi are identified and understood.

The Curatorial Assistant will support the delivery of this project, assisting the project’s Lichen Systematist and the Lichen Curator in sampling lichen specimens for DNA sequencing and ensure that the specimens and processes are correctly documented in accordance with NHM policies and procedures.
**Main tasks and responsibilities**
- Locate type specimens within the lichen collection
- Database type specimens by transcribing label data and check/edit existing database records
- Imaging lichen specimens according to existing digitisation workflows
- Assist the project Lichen systematist and the Lichen Curator in sampling for DNA following agreed protocols.
- Assist in research on the type status of specimens by searching for literature references.

**Person Specification**
- Interest in natural history; an interest in cryptogamic botany desirable.
- Experience of working with natural history collections.
- Demonstrable manual dexterity and attention to detail for handling small and fragile collections objects.
- Ability to follow instructions and work to agreed protocols.
- Computer literate, and experience with databases.
- Some experience of collections digitisation, including the transcription of specimen label data desirable.
- Ability to work effectively alone and/or as part of a team and with a variety of stakeholders.

**Thriving at the Museum: the way we work**

We are proud to work at the Museum and have identified the qualities we all need to embody to reach our shared ambition. This sits alongside the Museum’s values and forms the framework for the way we work.

**We are ambitious. **To make a difference on a global scale we are big and bold in our thinking and set goals which may seem impossibly high. We act with integrity, but we are not rigid or inflexible. We are excellent at what we do and look for opportunities to make a difference for the Museum wherever we can.

**We are curious. **We never stop learning. We look outwards beyond the Museum and ask questions to advance our understanding. We seek out and actively listen to different perspectives. We take time to reflect, are thoughtful and open to new ideas.

**We share the wonder.** We are captivated by the natural world, proud of our treasures and trusted guardians of our collections. We are passionate about the Museum, enjoy telling its stories and sharing our knowledge and expertise to inspire others. We don’t take this for granted; we feel proud to work here.

**W

  • Postdoctoral Researcher, Defra Lichens

    2 months ago

    London, United Kingdom Natural History Museum Full time

    **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. W**e care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually and 16 million...

  • Curatorial Assistant

    2 months ago

    London, United Kingdom Chitra Collection Full time

    **Position: Curatorial Assistant** **Contract: Permanent** **Location: Central London** In 2011 Nirmal Sethia, the Chairman of the luxury tea company Newby Teas set himself the task of acquiring the world’s greatest collection of teawares to record and preserve tea cultures of the past. Named in honour of his late wife, Chitra, the collection totals...

  • Curatorial and Collections Assistant

    4 days ago

    London, Greater London, United Kingdom UCL Eastman Dental Institute Full time

    About the RoleThe Curatorial and Collections Assistant will provide collections care and curatorial assistance across the Science Collections, supporting teaching and research requirements. This role will work collaboratively with the wider Museums and Cultural Programmes team on collections-wide projects as needed.About YouWe are seeking a candidate with...

  • Curatorial Assistant

    2 months ago

    London, United Kingdom Southbank Centre Full time

    **We are looking for a Curatorial Assistant to join our Hayward Gallery Exhibitions department on a permanent, full-time basis.** **About the role and the team**: As the hub of visual arts activity at Southbank Centre, Hayward Gallery presents a diverse exhibition programme that features monographic surveys of influential artists from across the world and...

  • Curatorial Support Specialist

    1 week ago

    London, Greater London, United Kingdom Southbank Centre Full time

    About Hayward Gallery Hayward Gallery is a leading visual arts space at Southbank Centre, showcasing diverse exhibitions that feature both established and emerging artists from around the world. We present monographic surveys of influential figures, major international group shows exploring contemporary themes, and free exhibitions in our Project...

  • Curatorial Assistant

    3 days ago

    London, Greater London, United Kingdom Southbank Centre Full time

    About the RoleWe are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Curatorial Assistant to join our Exhibitions department at the Southbank Centre. As a key member of our team, you will play a vital role in supporting the planning, organization, and delivery of our exhibitions and projects.Key ResponsibilitiesAssist the curatorial team in the development and...

  • Curatorial Assistant

    3 days ago

    London, Greater London, United Kingdom Royal Air Force Museum Full time

    About the RoleWe are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Curatorial Assistant to join our team at the Royal Air Force Museum. As a key member of our Archives and Library team, you will play a vital role in supporting the development and preservation of our collections.Key ResponsibilitiesAccess and ResearchProvide access to our collections and information...

  • Curatorial Assistant

    2 weeks ago

    London, United Kingdom Southbank Centre Full time

    We are looking for a Curatorial Assistant to join our Hayward Gallery Exhibitions department on a permanent, full-time basis. About the role and the team: As the hub of visual arts activity at Southbank Centre, Hayward Gallery presents a diverse exhibition programme that features monographic surveys of influential artists from across the world and...

  • Curatorial Assistant

    2 weeks ago

    London, United Kingdom Southbank Centre Full time

    We are looking for a Curatorial Assistant to join our Hayward Gallery Exhibitions department on a permanent, full-time basis.About the role and the team:As the hub of visual arts activity at Southbank Centre, Hayward Gallery presents a diverse exhibition programme that features monographic surveys of influential artists from across the world and major...

  • Curatorial Assistant

    1 week ago

    London, United Kingdom Southbank Centre Full time

    We are looking for a Curatorial Assistant to join our Hayward Gallery Exhibitions department on a permanent, full-time basis.About the role and the team:As the hub of visual arts activity at Southbank Centre, Hayward Gallery presents a diverse exhibition programme that features monographic surveys of influential artists from across the world and major...

  • Curatorial and Collections Assistant

    1 week ago

    London, United Kingdom UCL Eastman Dental Institute Full time

    About the role To provide collections care and curatorial assistance across the Science Collections and assist with teaching and research requirements. The role holder will work with the wider Museums and Cultural Programmes team on collections wide projects when required. The post holder will be required to work at the Royal Free Hospital Campus and...

  • Curatorial and Collections Assistant

    1 week ago

    London, United Kingdom UCL Eastman Dental Institute Full time

    About the role To provide collections care and curatorial assistance across the Science Collections and assist with teaching and research requirements. The role holder will work with the wider Museums and Cultural Programmes team on collections wide projects when required. The post holder will be required to work at the Royal Free Hospital Campus and...

  • Assistant Horological Conservator

    3 months ago

    London, United Kingdom The Royal Household Full time

    Household / Department- Royal Collection Trust- Section / Branch- Conservation and Curatorial- Location- Buckingham Palace- Contract/recruitment type- Permanent- Salary band- Circa £27,000- Hours of work- 37.5 hours per week- About the role**It's conserving a magnificent history that will be enjoyed by future generations** It’s working with a shared and...

  • Executive Assistant

    2 months ago

    London, United Kingdom Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Full time

    **Details**: **Reference number**: - 348509**Salary**: - £27,470 - £32,074- National: £27,470 - £28,606, London: £30,827 - £32,074 For details of our pay on appointment policy, please see below under the heading ‘Salary’.- A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%**Job grade**: - Executive Officer**Contract type**: -...

  • Assistant Curator

    3 months ago

    London, United Kingdom Royal Academy of Arts Full time

    **_Please note, this role is being offered on a Fixed Term Contract, as it is Maternity Cover. _** **About this Role** The Exhibitions Department organises the RA’s world-renowned exhibition programme. The programme spans global artistic practices from antiquity to the present day and is organised in collaboration with leading institutions...

  • Front of House Assistant

    3 months ago

    London, United Kingdom Gather & Gather UK Full time

    **Front of House Assistant - Mon - Fri**: £22,000 per annum + benefits **Weybridge**: At Gather & Gather, we are known as one of the UK & Irelands most distinctive workplace catering experts, we are passionate about great food and great coffee and putting our employees and customers at the heart of everything that we do. We are currently recruiting for a...

  • User Experience Officer

    3 months ago

    London, United Kingdom Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Full time

    **Details**: **Reference number**: - 307548**Salary**: - £30,317 - £36,606- National: £30,317 - £32,803, London: £33,827 - £36,606 For details of our pay on appointment policy, please see below under the heading ‘Salary’.- A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%**Job grade**: - Higher Executive Officer**Contract...

  • Correspondence Drafter

    2 months ago

    London, United Kingdom Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Full time

    **Details**: **Reference number**: - 344955**Salary**: - £27,470 - £32,074- National: £27,470 - £28,606, London: £30,827 - £32,074 ‘For details of our pay on appointment policy, please see below under the heading ‘Salary’- A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%**Job grade**: - Executive Officer**Contract...

  • User Experience Support Officer

    3 months ago

    London, United Kingdom Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Full time

    **Details**: **Reference number**: - 308232**Salary**: - £25,915 - £30,402- National: £25,915 - £27,116, London: £29,082 - £30,402 For details of our pay on appointment policy, please see below under the heading ‘Salary’.- A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%**Job grade**: - Executive Officer**Contract type**: -...

  • Curator, Somerset House Studios

    2 months ago

    London, United Kingdom Somerset House Trust Full time

    **Description**: We are seeking a Curator to join the Somerset House Studios team, working collaboratively across artforms to support artists and creatives in the realisation of their ideas. Combining curatorial and artist development experience with a passion for contemporary culture, the Curator will be responsible for the successful delivery of a unique...