Preventive Conservator

We are seeking a dedicated Preventive Conservator (Hazards) to join our team and play a key role in delivering vital preservation work, with a focus on hazardous and licensed collections. This role primarily supports the Visual Documentation Project, ensuring the safety, longevity, and accessibility of our collections through expert risk management, conservation treatments, and stakeholder collaboration.

What You Will Be Doing

• Lead preservation activities for hazardous and licensed collections, including risk assessments, hazard checks, and workflow development.
• Implement and oversee control measures for hazardous materials, ensuring safe working practices.
• Conduct condition assessments, sample-based surveys, and analysis to inform preservation priorities.
• Carry out interventive conservation treatments where necessary to reduce risks.
• Recommend and implement improvements to storage and preservation environments.
• Monitor dust and environmental conditions in storage areas to guide cleaning programmes.
• Collaborate with Radiation Protection Supervisors to ensure compliance with radioactive material regulations.
• Train, supervise, and quality assure the work of staff and contractors.
• Maintain disaster response equipment and contribute to emergency response planning.
• Deliver training and advice to internal and external stakeholders on the care and handling of hazardous collections.
• Support exhibitions, storage projects, and the wider IWM masterplan.
• Maintain accurate records of preservation activities and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

Who We Are Looking For

• A relevant qualification in conservation or museum studies, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Experience working with hazardous and licensed collections, including risk assessments and safe handling.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, including COSHH and health and safety regulations.
• A proactive and safety-first approach to managing risks in a heritage environment.
• The ability to work flexibly, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Experience supervising others or working with volunteers.
• Familiarity with museum collection management systems.
• Willingness to travel to other IWM branches when required.

Apply Now
If you're passionate about preservation and safety in heritage environments and want to make a meaningful impact on the care of our collections, we'd love to hear from you.

For a full list of duties and the person specification which your application will be marked against, please view the Job Description.