Are you curious about how things work? Interested in history, engineering, conservation or making? Want to build hands-on skills while working with incredible historic machinery?
This is a unique opportunity to begin a career in heritage conservation by working with the Science and Industry Museum’s collection of historic textile looms. This internship will help preserve and restore machines that tell the story of Manchester’s industrial past, whilst developing valuable technical and conservation skills for your future career.
About the opportunity
As a Heritage Machinery Conservation Intern, you’ll work alongside experienced technicians, conservators and museum professionals to help care for and conserve historic textile machinery.
Over the course of the internship, you’ll gain practical experience in:
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Heritage conservation and collections care
- Mechanical systems and machinery maintenance
- Technical research and documentation
- Workshop and hands-on conservation practice
- Museum operations and public engagement
You’ll support the conservation and restoration of historic textile looms so they can safely operate as part of the museum’s live demonstration programme; helping bring industrial history to life for visitors.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone at the beginning of their career who wants to explore pathways into:
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Heritage conservation
- Industrial heritage
- Engineering and technical museum work
- Collections care and museum practice
- Restoration and maintenance of historic machinery
This is a hands-on role where no two days are the same. This is not a hybrid position, so you’ll work on our museum site everyday (Monday to Friday), combining practical workshop activity with research, documentation and collaboration.
You’ll also have the chance to visit other museums and heritage organisations, attend sector meetings and conferences, and learn from professionals across the heritage and conservation sector.
Why apply?
This internship offers a rare opportunity to develop specialist skills in an exciting and growing area of heritage conservation.
You’ll gain:
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Practical experience working with historic machinery
- Mentoring from experienced museum professionals
- Exposure to conservation and engineering practices
- Insight into careers within the heritage sector
- Opportunities to build professional networks across the industry
- Valuable technical, research and problem-solving skills
Most importantly, you’ll help preserve working industrial heritage for future generations.
About you
You do not need previous experience or specific knowledge to apply - we’ll support your learning and development throughout the placement.
Instead, you’ll be someone with enthusiasm, curiosity, attention to detail, and a genuine desire to build a career in this area.
This internship is designed for someone early in their career journey. You may be studying, recently graduated, changing career direction, or simply looking for an opportunity to build experience in the heritage sector.
We’d love to hear from you if you:
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Are excited by practical, hands-on learning
- Enjoy problem-solving and figuring out how things work
- Are curious, organised and eager to learn
- Can pay attention to detail and follow processes carefully
- Enjoy working collaboratively with others
- An interest or enthusiasm for industrial history or textile machinery
- Enjoy researching, recording and sharing information
Experience with tools, workshops, mechanical equipment, engineering, museums or conservation is welcome, but not essential.
How to apply
View the Vacancy Information Pack listed under ‘Attachments’ on the vacancy listing on our website for more details about the role and the application process or click ‘Apply Online’ to submit an application.
What we offer
Working with a world-leading museum group that offers access to truly unique environments and collections, you’ll benefit from the perks listed below, as well as full support for life events such as parental and adoption leave, sickness, and career breaks.
Meaningful work. We’re a mission-led organisation where the work you do supports us in Inspiring Futures.- Career growth. We offer enhanced support with personal and professional development.
- Work/life balance. We offer 27 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, along with flexible policies which support you and your home life.
- Wellbeing. All our colleagues can access an employee assistance programme and other wellbeing support.
- Colleague networks. Our colleague-led networks are an informal forum for colleagues to come together to discuss topics of shared interest and lived experience. They create a space for people to exchange ideas, discuss best practice, socialise and build a sense of community.
- Enhanced contributory pension. To support you in saving for the future.
- Interest-free loans. When you need a little extra cash for life events or home improvements.
- Great discounts. Free entry to exhibitions, discounts in our shops, cafes, and access to other museums in the NMDC network.
Open for All is one of the Science Museum Group’s five core values and sets out our important aspiration to be a place for everyone. We are working hard to understand our organisation better and to develop a culture that recognises and values different backgrounds, mindsets, skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise. By having greater diversity, we believe that we will be a stronger and better organisation, capable to continue to Inspire Futures.
