The Natural History Museum (NHM) is a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre and commercial event space. We use our unique collections and unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects, both in our London and Tring museums, spanning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually.
We are at a pivotal moment in our history, as we launch a new strategy setting out our role as the natural world faces increasing threats. Building on our world-leading collection, global reputation for science and as one of the world’s leading visitor attractions, the NHM has ambitious plans leading up to its 150th anniversary in 2031 making this a truly exciting time to be part of the NHM team.
Applications for our Autumn 2024 Work Experience programme are now being accepted. To apply: Please 'fill in an application form', selecting your areas of interest. Please complete the application form with as much detail about why you wish to undertake a placement at the Natural History Museum.
Closing date: Sunday 8 September 2024.
Offers will be made on applications submitted and those successful will be notified no later than Friday 20 September 2024.
Please note we have limited placements, so we will not be able to place everyone who applies.
I would like to volunteer
What we offer and next steps
Thriving at the Museum: the way we work
We are proud to work at the Museum and have identified the qualities we all need to embody to reach our shared ambition. This sits alongside the Museum’s values and forms the framework for the way we work.
We are ambitious. To make a difference on a global scale we are big and bold in our thinking and set goals which may seem impossibly high. We act with integrity, but we are not rigid or inflexible. We are excellent at what we do and look for opportunities to make a difference for the Museum wherever we can.
We are curious. We never stop learning. We look outwards beyond the Museum and ask questions to advance our understanding. We seek out and actively listen to different perspectives. We take time to reflect, are thoughtful and open to new ideas.
We share the wonder. We are captivated by the natural world, proud of our treasures and trusted guardians of our collections. We are passionate about the Museum, enjoy telling its stories and sharing our knowledge and expertise to inspire others. We don’t take this for granted; we feel proud to work here.
We are pioneering. We are not afraid to try something new and use good judgment and evidence to take risks. We experiment, innovate, and embrace complex problems by adapting our approach. We do not dwell on setbacks or get preoccupied with problems. We find solutions.
We team up. We respect the expertise of others and recognise that we produce the strongest outcomes when we put the best ideas together. We trust each other, keep things simple and make it easy for others to do the right thing. We share information and skills so everyone is equipped and enabled to succeed. We never let bad moments grow into bad relationships. We inspire and empower each other to give our best.
We act with pace. We focus our efforts where we know we can make the biggest impact. We take tough decisions and once a plan is set, we all get behind it to make it happen. We take responsibility and don’t wait to be told what to do. We are racing against time in this planetary emergency, so we work with a sense of urgency.
What you can expect from us?
As a work experience student or student placement you can expect:
- 10% discount in the Museum shops, restaurants and staff canteen (seasonal variations apply)
- Free entry into paid for exhibitions at the Museum
- Free copies of in-house museum magazines (Waterhouse Times, evolve and WILDWORLD)
