Preservation Technician
Imperial War Museum Closing date: Sat, 03 Oct 2026
- Full time
- £25k-£30k
- Apply now
Wed, 16 Sep 2026 "> published -
Job Summary
Job Description
The Preservation Technician plays an important role in protecting and caring for IWM's collections across multiple sites. Through preventive conservation activities, environmental monitoring and collections care, you'll help ensure that historic objects remain safe, accessible and suitable for display, storage, research and learning.
Your work will directly support exhibitions, filming projects, loans, storage initiatives and public access programmes. By helping prevent deterioration, managing risks and maintaining high preservation standards, you'll contribute to safeguarding nationally significant collections for future generations.
Job Requirements
We'd love to hear from you if you have:
Experience working with museum collections, museum housekeeping, preservation and/or conservation activities.
Experience handling museum objects safely and confidently.
Strong attention to detail, good manual dexterity and a methodical approach to problem-solving.
An understanding of health and safety requirements in a practical working environment.
Experience using environmental monitoring equipment, systems or collections management systems.
The ability to work at height, including from ladders and access platforms up to 15 metres (training provided).
Excellent teamwork skills and the ability to work collaboratively across different departments.
An interest in museum, heritage or collections-based work.
Job Responsibilities
What You'll Be Doing
Deliver conservation cleaning and preventive conservation activities for collections on display and in storage.
Monitor environmental conditions, support Integrated Pest Management programmes and identify preservation risks.
Handle, pack, move and care for collection objects safely and in line with professional standards.
Support exhibitions, displays, filming projects, gallery maintenance and other operational activities involving collections.
Operate and maintain specialist preservation equipment and keep accurate records and documentation.
Help prepare for and respond to collections emergencies, contributing to the protection of collection assets.
Work closely with colleagues across Collections, Conservation, Exhibitions and Project teams to deliver high-quality preservation support.
Support volunteers, students, interns and contractors, and contribute to preservation training and knowledge sharing.
Useful Links
Job Overview
- Job Title: Preservation Technician
- Salary: £25k-£30k
- Hours: Full time
- Artform: Museums
- Role: Technical & Production
- Contract: Contract
- Closing date: Sat, 03 Oct 2026
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Location:
South East
How to Apply
Apply via our jobs page: https://imperialwarmuseums.tal.net/vx/lang-en-GB/mobile-0/channel-1/appcentre-1/brand-4/user-19/xf-256a58d2a707/wid-1/candidate/so/pm/1/pl/3/opp/705-Preservation-Technician/en-GB
- Contact name: Gavin Lewis
- Contact email: [email protected]
About Imperial War Museum
IWM tells the story of people who have lived, fought and died in conflicts involving Britain and the Commonwealth since the First World War.
We challenge people to look at conflict from different perspectives, enriching their understanding of the causes, course and consequences of war and its impact on people’s lives.
Our staff play a crucial role in caring for our unique collections, welcoming our visitors to our five branches and ensuring we continue to preserve and share powerful personal s