Application information and guidance

It's easy to search and apply online for a vacancy at the Museum. Just register and keep your sign in details to follow up your application.

How to apply for a role at the Museum

All job and volunteer applications should be made online using our online recruitment website. Students in Year 10 up to 18 years old can apply for our Work experience programme.

search Current vacancies to find the role you are interested in
select the vacancy to find about more about the position
if you wish to apply for this role, you will then be asked to register
once you register and have your sign in details, you will be guided through your application step by step
keep a note of your sign in details and go to My application to follow up your application's progress or to update your contact information.

All complete applications are submitted for consideration and will receive an email acknowledgement.

The information you provide in your application is all we will use in deciding whether you will be shortlisted for an interview. Your application form is therefore important, so refer to our guidance to help you complete it effectively.

There is also Online application guidance below or you can download the Completing your application document.

If you're under 18 years old, refer to our Work experience programme for more information.

If you have difficulties processing your online application please Email us

Diversity and disability

At the Natural History Museum we value the diversity of our staff and volunteers and the benefits they bring to the organisation. We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities.

If you have a disability and require assistance to attend an interview, please let us know in your application.

The Museum is committed to the Disability ‘two ticks’ symbol.

The Museum is proud to be recognised as an Investors in People (IiP) organisation. Download more information on the Investors in People standard PDF (8.2 KB)

Find out more about our equality and diversity schemes

Getting started – Your offer

All offers of employment and volunteering at the Museum are conditional upon completion of the following:

security clearance
occupational health clearance
proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK
references covering the previous 3 years employment

Online application guidance

Guidance for submitting your online application

Your email address: You must provide a valid email address when registering. We will use the email address you provide to communicate with you in regard to your application.
Sign in: Once you have registered, you need to keep your login details to go back to your application and review or edit it - go to Saving and submitting your application note below.
Supporting documents: You can attach up to 2 supporting documents with your application
Application form: Our application forms contain questions that are specific to the role you are applying for. These questions must be answered. Provide specific examples in your answers of what you have done and how you meet each requirement.
Preparing in advance: To help you prepare your application see the role specification document provided for each vacancy. Here you will be able to see, print and save all the application questions.
Saving and submitting your application: You can save your application form and complete it over a number of visits. To do this you must complete the mandatory fields first, these can be edited later if your details change.
• Submitting your application: When you are happy with your application save it, and when asked if you are ready to complete your submission, select 'yes'. Your application will be sent to our recruitment team. If you select ‘no’, your application will be saved, but not submitted, and you can return to edit and submit it later.
• Email receipt: All submitted applications will receive an email acknowledgement.

Every application we receive is personally reviewed. The Natural History Museum does not use automated screening tools.

Job applications

Job applications and selection

Application forms are assessed to see how your skills, qualifications and experience relate to the vacancy. Those who best match the criteria will be selected for interview.

The interview panel is normally made up of 3 or 4 people. The format of the interview process may vary; further information will be provided to shortlisted candidates.

Once the shortlisting process has been completed, we will let you know the outcome of your application by email.

Volunteer applications

Volunteer applications and selection

Our volunteer programme is heavily over-subscribed. If you are not selected in the first instance, we will keep your application for 6 months and contact you if a similar opportunity arises.

If you have been selected for a volunteer project or internship, we will contact you by email to invite you to attend an informal interview.

At your informal interview meeting you will meet your volunteer manager(s) and key colleagues, see the working environment and any relevant collections, and also discuss your role.

If you have a disability and require assistance to attend an informal meeting, please let us know in your application.

Final selection decisions will be based on those who fully met the criteria and also those we feel can benefit most from the placement or opportunity.

The desired skills or experience required for each role or project will be clearly indicated on the volunteer role specification when you apply online.

Find out more about our volunteer programme