Curator of Natural History

Curator of Natural History

37 hours per week

Your new role

We are looking for an engaged and knowledgeable Curator of Natural History to join our team. Reporting to the Collections Manager, you will take responsibility for the care, development and promotion of Portsmouth Museums' important natural history collections, which include around 119,000 specimens spanning entomology, taxidermy, herbarium collections, fossils and geological material.

You will play a leading role in ensuring these collections are preserved, researched and interpreted to the highest standards while making them accessible and engaging for diverse audiences. As Curator, you will have curatorial responsibility for Portsmouth Natural History Museum and its collections, including overseeing Zoo Licence conditions for the Butterfly House. Acting as an advocate for the collections and museums, you will support initiatives that improve access, increase public engagement and deepen understanding of Portsmouth's natural heritage.

You will shape and deliver exhibitions, displays, events and public programmes that align with the museum service's strategic priorities. Through research, cataloguing, interpretation, talks, tours and digital engagement, you will help bring collections to life for visitors, communities and researchers. You will also lead on the development of the natural history collections through conservation, acquisitions and rationalisation projects, ensuring all activity meets Museum Accreditation standards.

You will contribute to maintaining excellent standards of collections care, documentation, governance and presentation. You will oversee loans relating to your specialist collection area, provide expert professional advice and support access to collections for both researchers and the wider public.

You will contribute to outreach programmes, co-creation projects, volunteer development and placement opportunities, helping to build meaningful relationships across the city. Depending on service requirements, you may supervise volunteers and manage staff, while also supporting wider organisational objectives through fundraising, income generation and funding applications.

Who is the person summary:

You will have a specialist knowledge of natural history or a related discipline, supported by a relevant degree or equivalent professional experience. You will have a strong understanding of collections management, documentation, acquisitions, disposals and loans, together with experience of conducting and sharing research with a range of audiences.

Organised and confident you will have experience of delivering exhibitions, events or heritage projects on time and within budget. Comfortable managing multiple priorities, you will be able to work independently while also contributing effectively as part of a team, remaining calm and focused under pressure. A good understanding of health and safety requirements when working with collections is essential.

You will bring experience of using museum collections to engage people through exhibitions, learning programmes, outreach work and public engagement initiatives. In addition, you will need experience of working with volunteers and staff, contributing to successful funding applications and responding to public and research enquiries. You will be able to communicate complex information clearly and confidently, influence and negotiate with a wide range of stakeholders.

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated curator to shape the future of Portsmouth's natural history collections. The role requires flexibility, including occasional evening and weekend working, and the ability to travel between sites across Portsmouth.

For full details, please review the role and the 'who is the person' on the job profile below attached.

About Portsmouth City Council

Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.

We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours.

Additional Information

Please ensure that you read the job profile for full details on the post. We offer hybrid working with the expectation to attend the office minimum 2 days a week this remains flexible, depending on the role and subject to business needs.

We are not able to offer sponsorship for this position.

Interview process: w/c 7 December 2026.

Our recruitment process

Full information about our recruitment process can be found on our support for applicants' page:Support for applicants - Careers portal

You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person'points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had.If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful.

We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found atEquality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal

You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career's portal homepage:Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council

Should you require any support in completing the application form please contactrecruit@portsmouthcc.gov.ukor call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.