Natural History Conservator position at the Natural History Museum Denmark, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen

The Natural History Museum Denmark is seeking an experienced natural history conservator to join the Conservation Unit and assist with the preparation and installation of objects for the new permanent galleries. The position is available from 1 November 2026, or soon thereafter. Currently the position is funded for a 5-month period.

The main role of the conservator is to assist the Conservation Unit with planning and undertaking varied object treatments, packing, transport, and installation of the many new exhibitions for the new museum project.

About Us

The Natural History Museum Denmark is the national museum for nature and contains more than 14 million objects of preserved animals, plants, fossils and minerals. Natural history museums have never been more important for monitoring the impact of climate change and the direct human threat to plant and animal life.

We are currently building a new Danish national museum for nature. One big museum site in the Botanical Garden at the center of Copenhagen will host state-of-the-art laboratories, outstanding research collections, new public galleries, and combined facilities for programming, education, and citizen science. Over the next few years, the museum aims to change the way people think about and use natural history museums.

Primary focus of the Conservation Unit has been to conserve, prepare and install various objects for the new public galleries which are currently being developed in connection with the build of a new national Natural History Museum. Currently, seven exhibition core groups are developing the content of the new permanent galleries, which are planned to open to the public in March 2027. The exhibitions will cover all areas of geology, botany and zoology.

Responsibilities for the Conservators include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting the Head of Conservation Unit with day-to-day management of the conservation lab, and scheduling of object treatments as required by the exhibition groups.
• Assisting the wider museum with preventive conservation needs and advice.
• Investigation, planning and undertaking conservation treatments on a variety of natural history collection types.
• Writing conservation reports for objects, including detailed photography.
• Organising and supervising projects for interns, volunteers and collections assistance were required.
• Overseeing the packing and transport of objects and assisting in the final installation of objects into the permanent galleries.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Education as conservator or equivalent academic degree combined with equivalent experience.
• Documented work experience from the Conservation Unit at the Natural History Museum of Denmark.
• Documented work experience related to exhibitions at the Natural History Museum of Denmark.
• Knowledge of all aspects of remedial conservation of natural history objects (including taxidermy, skeletal preparations, paleontological and fluid preparations) and preventive conservation expertise. It is an advantage if you are highly specialised in one of these areas.
• Ability to independently investigate and develop new specimen preparation methods.
• Good communication and writing skills, both general but particularly on technical issues.
• As a minimum fluent in English (written and spoken).
• A demonstrable interest in and enthusiasm for science communication and experience of sharing content via multiple social networks will be an advantage.’

Terms of salary and employment
The employment and salary is made in accordance with the Circular on the Collective Agreement concerning academics in the state sector concluded between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).

Employment will be as academic employee. The salary is based on seniority. Negotiation for salary supplement is possible. The working time are 37 hours per week on average. The working hours are flexible.

You can read more about salary levels in the state sector www.loenoverblik.dk (in Danish).

The University of Copenhagen has established a new shared administrative structure, which is still being implemented. This entails ongoing changes and development of, among other things, work processes and areas of collaboration.

Additional information

More information about the position can be obtained from the Head of Conservation Unit, Anastasia van Gaver [email protected]

More general information about the Natural History Museum Denmark is available from our website www.snm.ku.dk.

Your application

If you find the job interesting, please send an electronic application with attachment via Jobportalen (click on the link "Apply Now" at the bottom of the post) no later than 23 October 2026.

Interviews will take place end of October.

The University of Copenhagen seeks to reflect society and encourages applications irrespective of personal background.