Assistant Conservator (Projects) (Fixed Term)

The University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge is seeking a full-time, fixed-term Assistant Conservator (Projects) to support a major collections move programme.

The post holder will play a key role in delivering practical conservation work as part of a focused project team. This will include undertaking condition assessments, preparing specimens for relocation, and ensuring appropriate conservation workflows are applied throughout the move process. Where required, you will carry out interventive treatments to stabilise objects for safe transport and long-term storage, alongside implementing preventive measures to reduce risk during handling and movement.

In addition to project-specific work, the role will contribute to wider collections care across the Museum. This includes supporting environmental monitoring, integrated pest management (IPM), and maintaining appropriate storage conditions. The post holder will also assist with conservation treatments for displays, exhibitions, and stored collections, including work with fluid-preserved specimens.

This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience as part of a fast-paced, cross-disciplinary team, working across a wide range of natural history collections. The role requires the post holder to have good general knowledge and experience in the care and conservation of organic materials. While experience in natural history collections is desirable, training will be provided to support the development of specialist skills.

The successful candidate must be able to work independently and collaboratively, manage competing priorities, and deliver work to project deadlines.

This role is a specialist Museum collections conservation role. It is not an environmental conservation or wildlife/nature conservation role.

For a full person specification and other essential requirements, against which your application will be scored, please see the Further Particulars job description.

Interviews are planned in the week commencing Monday, 11 May 2026 (subject to change).

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for up to 18 months.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check, a health assessment and a security check.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

We particularly welcome applications from candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in the University.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to: Natalie Jones (Conservator) nj273@cam.ac.uk

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Paulina Lasocka or Anastasia Nezhentseva hr@zoo.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PF49286 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Key information

Department/location
Department of Zoology

Salary
£31,236-£35,608

Reference
PF49286

Category
Assistant staff

Date published
9 April 2026

Closing date
23 April 2026