Geological Specimen Preparator London, England
Job description
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.
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.
About the role
The Imaging and Analysis Centre (IAC) within the Natural History Museum, London undertakes cutting edge research across both Life and Earth Sciences enabled by the Mineral Preparation Laboratory which is responsible for the preparation and mounting of specimens for analysis. Due to increasing demand for preparatory services and increasingly complexity of samples that need to be mounted, there is a need to extend the laboratory's output to facilitate the research and commercial commitments of the museum.
The study of petrological thin sections was pioneered in the 19thcentury with the NHM playing a key role, and we have been a leader in the field ever since. The role also provides an opportunity for a person interested in analytical research to gain exposure to a wide variety of techniques while learning practical skills.
The role requires the receipt and documenting of, primarily, mineralogical samples. Samples are prepared as 30-micron thin sections and polished thin sections for light microscopy (transmitted and reflected light) or thicker polished epoxy mounted blocks suitable for reflected light microscopy and electron beam imaging and x-ray analysis.
About you
We are looking for someone with a background in Earth Sciences with some experience in the preparation of thin sections and polished samples mounts. They must be able to work well as a team and operate safely in a laboratory environment.
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.
Find out more here
What we offer
· 27.5 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (full time equivalent)
· Generous defined contribution Natural History Museum Pension Scheme (employer contribution 4 - 10%)
· Season ticket, bicycle and rental loan
· Life insurance
· Free admission to our exhibitions and many other paid exhibitions at museums, galleries and institutions across London and the UK.
· Staff discount at our Museum shops and cafes
· We offer a wide variety of training initiatives and opportunities to build skills. Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about helping staff to grow and fulfil their potential.
· Affordable membership to the Civil Service Sports Council which offers a range of benefits including an extensive list of special offers and reduced entry fees at a selection of cinema chains, theme parks, theatres, retailers and supermarkets. It also provides entry to up to 300 English Heritage sitesand other national treasures. For more details, visit https://www.cssc.co.uk
· Membership to our Sports and Social Association (for a small fee), which includes access to our in-house gym and clubs such as football, softball, table tennis and tennis and classes in Middle Eastern dance, yoga and Tai Chi
How to apply
If that sounds like you, please apply online on the Natural History Museum’s careers portal,
at https://careers.nhm.ac.uk/
Closing date: 9am, Tuesday 16th May 2023
Interviews expected w/c 30th May 2023
Salary: £27,256 per annum
Please note that this role does not qualify for Museum sponsorship so the successful postholder will need to have a valid right to work in the UK at the point of offer.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £27,256.00 per year
Benefits:
- Canteen
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Flexitime
- Gym membership
- On-site gym
- Sick pay
- Store discount
Schedule:
- Flexitime
Work Location: One location
Application deadline: 16/05/2023
Reference ID: Natural History Museum
