Book Conservator at British Library (One year fixed term contract)

Salary UKP24,582 – 27,986 p.a.

Job Reference: S&C00279

The Collection Care department of the British Library is responsible for the preservation and conservation, of the collections. The department, is offering a fixed term contract position for one year as part of the Adopt-a-Book programme in its conservation studios in Central London.

This is an opportunity for an experienced conservator trained in paper/book disciplines to work in a team of conservators, carrying out conservation treatments on a range of collection items, reflecting the breadth of the BL’s collections and from a range of cultures. You will be expected to work with minimal supervision and to have the skills and knowledge to plan and manage your work to ensure that production deadlines are met. You must be able to communicate effectively with people at all levels, and be able to keep clear, detailed and accurate records of all treatments undertaken.

You need to have either a degree in conservation or equivalent knowledge and skills sets, and recent practical hands-on experience in conservation of paper/books. A broad knowledge of available conservation treatments within the field of paper/book conservation together with the ability to diagnose conservation problems and to develop and evaluate options for solutions. You should also have a high level of manual dexterity and the ability to treat fragile and delicate materials, together with knowledge of materials chemistry and the properties, behaviours and interaction of a wide range of organic and inorganic materials.

The British Library supports PACR accreditation and welcomes applications from accredited conservators.

For an informal discussion please contact Rick Brown ext. +44 207 412 7898.

Closing date: Midnight, 15 November 2011

To apply for this role, please visit: www.bl.uk/careers/index.html