Head of Conservation Unit at the Natural History Museum Denmark // Leder af Konserveringsenheden ved Statens Naturhistoriske Museum
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Head of Conservation Unit at the Natural History Museum Denmark // Leder af Konserveringsenheden ved Statens Naturhistoriske Museum
The Natural History Museum Denmark (NHMD), Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, is seeking a permanent full-time position for a Head of the Conservation Unit, starting 1 March 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. The candidate will be part of a diverse Collection Management Team across the museum and will report to the Head of the Collections at NHMD.
The person hired will be responsible for managing the Conservation Unit and will participate in the physical treatment of the collections. In the first 1-2 years of employment, the primary focus of the Conservation Unit will be to conserve, prepare and install objects in the permanent galleries of a new National Natural History Museum, a 6500 m2 building in the middle of Copenhagen, that will open to the public in 2027.
Most of the objects in the new exhibits come from the museum’s vast centuries-old collections, but preparations of new acquisitions and taxidermy are also needed.
After the new museum building opens, the Conservation Unit will be responsible for the conservation of objects in the exhibitions (permanent and temporary) and in the collections at NHMD. The Unit will be responsible for preventive conservation and IPM, and tasks may also include occasional servicing other Danish museums. The Conservation Unit will also participate in the planning of new collection storage facilities, and in the planning and execution of the moving of collections.
The ideal candidate has documented experience in preparing objects for and setting up larger natural history exhibitions. Besides having extensive knowledge of aspects of preparation of natural history objects, the successful candidate should be comfortable leading a smaller interdisciplinary team and working with many collaborators: curators, collection managers, exhibition staff, designers and external contractors. The conservation team will also be hosting conservation student projects. Contribution to the museums public engagement activities such as tours, blogs, and social media posts is also expected.
We offer a professionally challenging job in an exciting environment in a workplace that is constantly evolving. We are committed to a thriving work environment as colleagues who are professional, responsible, collaborative, pioneering, principled and curious.
Tasks
Your tasks will include:
We are looking for a candidate with a passion for museums and nature, and solid experience in natural history conservation.
As a person, you have a positive attitude, enthusiasm, and an appreciation for the importance of good collaboration. You can work both independently and as part of a team, and you can balance strategic tasks with the daily practical work involved in managing the different tasks.
We expect
The Natural History Museum Denmark is the Danish national museum for nature. We work to empower citizens to connect with nature with the aim of creating positive change for people and planet. We want to inspire, engage, and enable people to enjoy, understand, and care for the diversity of the natural world. The impact of climate change and anthropogenic forces on biodiversity has reached a critical point. We firmly believe that natural history museums can and should play a key role towards a more sustainable relationship with nature.
We are currently building a new Danish national museum for nature. One big museum site, in the Botanical Garden, in 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. It is an ambition for the museum to enhance natural history and inspire curiosity, knowledge, and empowerment for the future.
The Botanical Garden was founded in 1600. The collections date back to Ole Worm’s Cabinet of Curiosities from around 1620. With 14 million specimens and 8,000 different species in the Botanical Garden, it is the largest museum collection in Denmark. It covers our planetary history with botanical, zoological, and geological specimens from all over the world.
The Natural History Museum Denmark is part of the University of Copenhagen, which was founded in 1479 and is the largest university in Denmark. Read more about the museum at www.snm.ku.dk The conservation unit currently holds a position as head of the unit, 1 permanent preventive conservator, and 5 temporary conservator positions.
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 Taxation and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).
Employment will be as senior consultant with personnel management. The basic salary is based on seniority. Negotiation for salary supplement is possible. The working hours are 37 hours per week on average.
Your application
Application in English must be submitted electronically with attachments of CV, a letter of motivation describing how your experience, knowledge, and interest qualify you for this position, examples of written documents (e.g., procedure, protocols, report or other relevant file), as well as documentation of education via jobportal.ku.dk/administrative-og-forskningsunderstoettende-stillinger (click on the link "Apply Now" at the bottom of the post) no later than 14 December 2025. Only electronic applications are accepted.
The University of Copenhagen seeks to reflect society and encourages applications irrespective of personal background.
Further information
Any questions about the position may be directed to Deputy Museum Director for Collections Laura Pavesi, lpavesi@snm.ku.dk. General information about the Natural History Museum of Denmark can be found on our website http://www.snm.ku.dk
The Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen – or SCIENCE – is Denmark's largest science research and education institution with 4,000 employees and 9,700 Bachelor and Master's students in 11 departments and one museum. The Faculty has an annual budget of DKK 3 billion.
Learn more about The Faculty of Science at http://www.science.ku.dk
The person hired will be responsible for managing the Conservation Unit and will participate in the physical treatment of the collections. In the first 1-2 years of employment, the primary focus of the Conservation Unit will be to conserve, prepare and install objects in the permanent galleries of a new National Natural History Museum, a 6500 m2 building in the middle of Copenhagen, that will open to the public in 2027.
Most of the objects in the new exhibits come from the museum’s vast centuries-old collections, but preparations of new acquisitions and taxidermy are also needed.
After the new museum building opens, the Conservation Unit will be responsible for the conservation of objects in the exhibitions (permanent and temporary) and in the collections at NHMD. The Unit will be responsible for preventive conservation and IPM, and tasks may also include occasional servicing other Danish museums. The Conservation Unit will also participate in the planning of new collection storage facilities, and in the planning and execution of the moving of collections.
The ideal candidate has documented experience in preparing objects for and setting up larger natural history exhibitions. Besides having extensive knowledge of aspects of preparation of natural history objects, the successful candidate should be comfortable leading a smaller interdisciplinary team and working with many collaborators: curators, collection managers, exhibition staff, designers and external contractors. The conservation team will also be hosting conservation student projects. Contribution to the museums public engagement activities such as tours, blogs, and social media posts is also expected.
We offer a professionally challenging job in an exciting environment in a workplace that is constantly evolving. We are committed to a thriving work environment as colleagues who are professional, responsible, collaborative, pioneering, principled and curious.
Tasks
Your tasks will include:
- Daily management of the unit’s staff, including budgeting, overall organization, prioritization of tasks, and ensuring a thriving work environment for all
- Managing a compact timeline for the necessary object preparations and installation related to the new permanent galleries and future temporary exhibits
- Handling the management of larger conservation-related projects
- Providing input for the implementation of NHMD policy initiatives and strategies
- Providing necessary expert knowledge and support for exhibition and collection staff to ensure best practice and correct care of the collections from a conservation perspective, such as climate control, storage, pest management
- Communicating management decisions to the unit and representing its needs and positions to the Head of Collections
- Participating in the hiring of conservation personnel with relevant competencies when needed (on short- or long-term contracts)
- Participate in the planning of new collection storage facilities and moving of collections
- Investigation, planning and undertaking conservation treatments on objects both in exhibitions (permanent and temporary ones) and in the collections
- Representing the unit to external parties, stakeholders, and networks, including contributing to public engagement activities
We are looking for a candidate with a passion for museums and nature, and solid experience in natural history conservation.
As a person, you have a positive attitude, enthusiasm, and an appreciation for the importance of good collaboration. You can work both independently and as part of a team, and you can balance strategic tasks with the daily practical work involved in managing the different tasks.
We expect
- Education as conservator or equivalent background
- Ability to manage and prioritize a varied workload in an efficient and co-operative manner, as well as efficiency in meeting deadlines
- Documented communication and writing skills on both general and technical issues and sharing information with multidisciplinary teams as well as to public audiences
- Extensive professional network
- Documented experience with object preparation for natural history exhibitions including as project manager will be an advantage
- Extensive knowledge of preparation of natural history objects (taxidermy, botanical and geological preparations, fluid preparations etc.), and/or knowledge of where to obtain the relevant expertise
- Experience from a Natural History Museum will be an advantage
- Experience with team leadership of a conservation department will be an advantage
- Experience in managing students, interns or volunteers will be an advantage
- Understands Danish (spoken and written) or a commitment to learning Danish within 5 years to reach a working language level
- Fluent in English (written and spoken)
- A driver’s license with approval to drive in Denmark
The Natural History Museum Denmark is the Danish national museum for nature. We work to empower citizens to connect with nature with the aim of creating positive change for people and planet. We want to inspire, engage, and enable people to enjoy, understand, and care for the diversity of the natural world. The impact of climate change and anthropogenic forces on biodiversity has reached a critical point. We firmly believe that natural history museums can and should play a key role towards a more sustainable relationship with nature.
We are currently building a new Danish national museum for nature. One big museum site, in the Botanical Garden, in 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. It is an ambition for the museum to enhance natural history and inspire curiosity, knowledge, and empowerment for the future.
The Botanical Garden was founded in 1600. The collections date back to Ole Worm’s Cabinet of Curiosities from around 1620. With 14 million specimens and 8,000 different species in the Botanical Garden, it is the largest museum collection in Denmark. It covers our planetary history with botanical, zoological, and geological specimens from all over the world.
The Natural History Museum Denmark is part of the University of Copenhagen, which was founded in 1479 and is the largest university in Denmark. Read more about the museum at www.snm.ku.dk The conservation unit currently holds a position as head of the unit, 1 permanent preventive conservator, and 5 temporary conservator positions.
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 Taxation and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).
Employment will be as senior consultant with personnel management. The basic salary is based on seniority. Negotiation for salary supplement is possible. The working hours are 37 hours per week on average.
Your application
Application in English must be submitted electronically with attachments of CV, a letter of motivation describing how your experience, knowledge, and interest qualify you for this position, examples of written documents (e.g., procedure, protocols, report or other relevant file), as well as documentation of education via jobportal.ku.dk/administrative-og-forskningsunderstoettende-stillinger (click on the link "Apply Now" at the bottom of the post) no later than 14 December 2025. Only electronic applications are accepted.
The University of Copenhagen seeks to reflect society and encourages applications irrespective of personal background.
Further information
Any questions about the position may be directed to Deputy Museum Director for Collections Laura Pavesi, lpavesi@snm.ku.dk. General information about the Natural History Museum of Denmark can be found on our website http://www.snm.ku.dk
The Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen – or SCIENCE – is Denmark's largest science research and education institution with 4,000 employees and 9,700 Bachelor and Master's students in 11 departments and one museum. The Faculty has an annual budget of DKK 3 billion.
Learn more about The Faculty of Science at http://www.science.ku.dk