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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.
This is an exciting time to join the Museum as we have secured investment from the UK Government to build a new science and digitisation centre at Thames Valley Science Park, University of Reading. The purpose-built centre will house much of the Museum's collection and will include laboratories, digitisation suites, collaborative research spaces, conservation labs and workspaces.
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.
Job summary
The Centre for Human Evolution Research (CHER) is looking to recruit a Research Assistant (RA) to support research and administration within the group of Fred Spoor. This is a fixed term full-time position with an end date of 31 December 2025, funded by the Calleva Foundation. The role will support a team of three people working on the evolution of the human skull, mostly by collecting data from CT scans and other digital imagery, as well as some basic administrative work such as scanning documents.
Main tasks and responsibilities
- Visualization and 3D landmark acquisition based on CT scans of extant and fossil specimens, following established protocols
- Generating 3D models of specimens using a digital surface scanner [following basic manual instructions]
- Keeping an accurate digital record of these activities
- Quality control, trouble shooting and responsibility for data archiving will be provided by a more senior member of the team
- Administrative tasks might include scanning documents, collating bibliographies and formatting references in manuscripts
Person specification
- Post graduate qualification in biology, palaeontology, biological anthropology or similar
- A basic understanding of vertebrate cranial anatomy
- Good computer skills (PC), and ability to learn new software applications as required
- Experience working with CT scans and/or 3D models is preferred
- Strong and dedicated attention to detail, with ability to undertake methodical tasks to a high-level of accuracy is crucial.
- Flexible with a proven ability to work well independently, as well as within a team structure. Well organised with effective time management skills.
- Competence in Microsoft Excel, Outlook and Word
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
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.
We are ambitious. To make a difference on a global scale we are big and bold in our thinking and set goals which may seem impossibly high. We act with integrity, but we are not rigid or inflexible. We are excellent at what we do and look for opportunities to make a difference for the Museum wherever we can.
We are curious. We never stop learning. We look outwards beyond the Museum and ask questions to advance our understanding. We seek out and actively listen to different perspectives. We take time to reflect, are thoughtful and open to new ideas.
We share the wonder. We are captivated by the natural world, proud of our treasures and trusted guardians of our collections. We are passionate about the Museum, enjoy telling its stories and sharing our knowledge and expertise to inspire others. We don’t take this for granted; we feel proud to work here.
We are pioneering. We are not afraid to try something new and use good judgment and evidence to take risks. We experiment, innovate, and embrace complex problems by adapting our approach. We do not dwell on setbacks or get preoccupied with problems. We find solutions.
We team up. We respect the expertise of others and recognise that we produce the strongest outcomes when we put the best ideas together. We trust each other, keep things simple and make it easy for others to do the right thing. We share information and skills so everyone is equipped and enabled to succeed. We never let bad moments grow into bad relationships. We inspire and empower each other to give our best.
We act with pace. We focus our efforts where we know we can make the biggest impact. We take tough decisions and once a plan is set, we all get behind it to make it happen. We take responsibility and don’t wait to be told what to do. We are racing against time in this planetary emergency, so we work with a sense of urgency.
General information
All positions at the Natural History Museum are conditional subject to receipt of:
- Proof that you are legally entitled to work in the UK
- A Enhanced/Standard/Basic Disclosure Check from the Disclosures and Barring Service (DBS)
- Satisfactory references covering the last 3 years of your employment or education
- Health clearance
The Museum supports flexible working.
