Research Assistant: X-ray Imaging (Lewis Chess Pieces) - London

Role Summary

Research Assistant: X-ray Imaging (Lewis Chess Pieces)
Scientific Research     
Full-time, 41 hours per week (including one hour paid lunch break)
Fixed term (23 months)
£ 35,165 per annum
Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on 22 November 2024

About the role:

The post holder will acquire, and process X-ray CT scans of the Lewis chess pieces and associated objects in the British Museum collection, enhancing their understanding, as part of a wider interdisciplinary project on the pieces including microscopy, radiocarbon dating, stable isotope and ancient DNA analyses, historical study and conservation.

Context

The research will be carried out within the framework of the newly funded project Rethinking the Lewis Chess Pieces in the North Sea and Arctic World . The aim of the project is to study the iconic chess pieces and associated objects curated at the British Museum, crafted from walrus ivory and sperm whale tooth, improving their analysis, documentation, interpretation and conservation by bringing together curatorial, scientific and collection care expertise. The post holder will be based in the laboratories of the Department of Scientific Research at the British Museum (London). The research will apply X-ray CT imaging to study the internal structure of the pieces, expanding our knowledge of their manufacture and current condition, and creating digital outputs for their potential redisplay, in collaboration with the wider project team of curators, scientists and conservators.

Key areas of responsibility:

• To undertake laboratory work for the X-ray CT scanning of the Lewis chess piece collection, utilising the British Museum’s X-ray imaging laboratory, and potentially contribute towards other analytical techniques, such as digital microscopy, as required by the demands of the project.
• To adhere to best practice and established protocols within the BM’s facilities for X-ray imaging, including data management policies and laboratory health and safety.
• To process, analyse and interpret the data acquired, and produce high quality reports and output media including volume rendered imagery, as appropriate.
• To maintain full records of all scans via the project database.
• To contribute to the production of project research outputs via publication, conference presentations, workshops, website content & social media, gallery/exhibition/display material and participation in public events.

About you:

• A strong and relevant science background
• Experience in conducting X-ray CT scanning experiments using a micro-CT scanner or similar.
• Experience in the use of image visualisation and analysis tools for the CT reconstruction, interpretation and presentation of volumetric data.
• Experience of research.
• Good problem solving and organisational capabilities with some experience of supervision/training and project management.
• Open, effective communicator with good spoken and written English
• Ability to work as part of a team

About the British Museum:

Founded in 1753, the British Museum’s remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. The Museum is a leading visitor attraction, and its world-famous collection includes the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, the Sutton-Hoo finds, and the Lewis Chess Pieces. The Museum also holds an extensive collection of prints and drawings spanning 600 years, including works by the greatest graphic artists Dürer, Michelangelo and Rembrandt.

You can view a selection of our impressive collection of prints and drawings in our virtual gallery .

The Museum offers a competitive benefits package including:

• Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service) plus 2.5 privilege days and plus bank holidays.
• Membership of the civil service defined benefit pension scheme (find out here what benefits a civil service pension provides).
• Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions
• Participation in private and public Museum activities, including talks by leading curators from around the world and behind-the-scenes opportunities to learn how museums care for and manage their extraordinary collections.
• Interest-free travel, bicycle, and rental deposit loans
• Professional and personal development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounts on food and gift shop purchases

Additional details:

For more information about this role, please see the job description.

If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details to .

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that employees have the right to work in the UK. If you currently do not hold the right to work in the UK, we can only sponsor a limited number of roles that meet eligibility criteria. To offer a sponsorship, the job role you apply needs to be in the list of eligible occupations:  . Additionally (with some limited exceptions), the role will need to meet the minimum salary threshold of £38,700 or the going rate for the job, whichever is the highest. You can find more information here: 

The British Museum is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from unlawful discrimination or harassment. We value the benefits that a diverse workforce brings to a museum which represents world culture. The Museum is committed to ensuring that no job applicant suffers unlawful discrimination because of any protected characteristics. Our recruitment procedures aim to ensure that individuals are treated because of their relevant knowledge, skills, and experience.

We offer a flexible way of working scheme that allows our employees to work remotely in a way that suits them and the organisation. We welcome questions and conversations at interview stage about how flexible working could work for you. We would typically see this role as working on site about 4 days a week.

The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.