Careers and Volunteering

CAREERS

HIRING AND DIVERSITY

 

Oxford University Museum of Natural History continues to work towards a recruitment process that is fair and accessible to everyone. We welcome applications from people of all genders and identities, people with disabilities, and people from minority ethnic backgrounds.

If you have a disability and would like an adjustment made to the recruitment process, please email hannah.betts@oum.ox.ac.uk to let us know. If you have any questions or concerns about how will we use any information regarding a disability please email hannah.betts@oum.ox.ac.uk.

Athena Swan

Oxford University Museum of Natural History is proud to have been awarded a Silver Award by the Athena Swan Gender Charter for our commitment to, and progress in, achieving gender equality as an institution of higher education.

 

INTERNSHIPS AND BURSARIES

Undergraduate Bursary Scheme

Applications for the 2024 undergraduate bursary scheme are now CLOSED.

The Undergraduate Bursary Scheme is designed to give undergraduate students hands-on experience working in a museum of natural history. The scheme accepts applications from students from underrepresented backgrounds who are ordinarily resident in the UK.

Register interest to receive updates about summer placements in 2025

 

Oxford Summer Internship Scheme

Every year, the Museum participates in the Oxford Summer Internship Scheme, providing Collections and Research placements to Oxford University undergraduate students. Applications are now open for Summer 2024. Learn about the Oxford Summer Internship Scheme.

The Internship Office Gold Standard Internship Host 2023 The University of Oxford
 

 

Nuffield Research Placements

The Museum hosts Nuffield Research Placements, for those aged between 16 and 19, over the summer holidays. Placements are hosted in the fields of zoology, entomology and geology. Projects cover a wide range of disciplines, from collections-based curation and research to insect ecology and ecosystem services. Previous project titles include 'Darwin's Insects in the Hope Entomological Collections', 'Burchell’s African Insect Collection' and 'Dung Beetle Ecology'. Applications for placements are submitted via Science Oxford. Find out more about Nuffield Research Placements or contact education@oum.ox.ac.uk.

 

Natural Science and Heritage Scheme

The Natural Science and Heritage Scheme is a paid opportunity for students in Year 12 and 13. The scheme runs during the summer holidays, and invites applicants from diverse backgrounds to find out more about the museum - particularly its public-facing roles. Participants are able to get hands-on experience of developing activities for museum visitors, with a focus on events that appeal to diverse families. Learn more about the Natural Science and Heritage Scheme.

 

Get in touch

Please send any enquiries to Ella McKelvey, Internship Coordinator: ella.mckelvey@oum.ox.ac.uk

WORK EXPERIENCE

Natural Science and Heritage Scheme

The Natural Science and Heritage Scheme is a paid opportunity for students in Year 12 and 13. The scheme runs during the summer holidays, and invites applicants from diverse backgrounds to find out more about the museum - particularly its public-facing roles. Participants are able to get hands-on experience of developing activities for museum visitors, with a focus on events that appeal to diverse families. Applications for the 2023 Scheme are now closed. Applications for the 2024 Natural Science and Heritage Scheme will open next year.

 

Natural History Investigators

Each year the Museum runs a club for key stage 4 students. Investigators interested in the natural world have an opportunity to meet in the Museum and pursue an extended project of their choice. Investigators meet on Saturdays from 10:30 to 12:30 for 10 weeks, and work on their personal projects. Investigators have access to special Museum objects and experts in the field. They develop their work into a display or activity to be included in the Museum’s annual family science fair in March. Investigators are also able to submit their work for a British Science Association CREST award. Click here to find out more about Natural History Investigators or contact education@oum.ox.ac.uk.

 

Youth Forum

The Museum’s Youth Forum is a group of young people aged between 14 and 19 who are involved in designing and setting up activities and events. They work with the public and create opportunities for other young people to engage with the museum. Youth Forum members have the opportunity to go behind the scenes and are involved in planning new developments in the museum, including exhibitions. Click here to find out more about the Youth Forum.

 

Nuffield Research Placements

The Museum hosts Nuffield Research Placements, for those aged between 16 and 19, over the summer holidays. Placements are hosted in the fields of zoology, entomology and geology. Projects cover a wide range of disciplines, from collections-based curation and research to insect ecology and ecosystem services. Previous project titles include 'Darwin's Insects in the Hope Entomological Collections', 'Burchell’s African Insect Collection' and 'Dung Beetle Ecology'. Applications for placements are submitted via Science Oxford. Find out more about Nuffield Research Placements or contact education@oum.ox.ac.uk.

APPRENTICESHIPS
VOLUNTEERING

VOLUNTEER ROLES

Most of our volunteering opportunities involve engaging with visitors: supporting one-off events, delivering tours and regular family-friendly activities, and assisting with evaluation (surveys). There are also online and behind-the-scenes opportunities: helping with collections cataloguing, digitisation, storage, and research — although these are fewer.

 

A volunteer teaches a young visitor about zebra stripes

Learning about science with Museum visitors

Some volunteers admiring a Pleistocene fossil at the Upper Heyford storage facility

Sorting Pleistocene collections at Upper Heyford

 

VOLUNTEER STORIES

While our Museum was closed to visitors in 2020, some of our volunteer tour guides took to the web to record presentations to share online. Watch to learn about some of our guides' favourite stories from the Museum and its history.

 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y_buWx42Shw

 

 

Browse more volunteer stories from across the Gardens, Libraries and Museums...

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