We are looking for an experienced conservator to coordinate and participate in the relocation of unique objects from the Viking Age

About the position

A 2-year position as project coordinator responsible for relocating objects from the museum’s Viking Age collection is available at the Museum of Cultural History. We are looking for an experienced conservator who is motivated by working with varied and exciting tasks in a sometimes hectic environment.

The Museum of Cultural History is planning the construction of a new Viking Age Museum in Bygdøy in Oslo, which will be an extension of the current Viking Ship Museum. In anticipation of start-up funding from the national budget, we are planning the museological aspects of the upcoming new museum.

This work is organized as a project within the larger "New Viking Age Museum" project, and deals with securing and relocating the objects housed in the current Viking Ship Museum prior to the construction of the new museum building. The project is called "Relocation from the fourth wing in Viking Ship Museum".

Your main task will be to manage and coordinate the project, but you will also actively carry out some conservation tasks. You will participate in a team consisting of an archaeologist / storage manager, archaeological conservators and photographers (2D/3D) who will record, document, conserve, pack and move items for storage prior to the construction of the new Viking Age Museum.

The items are from the Oseberg, Gokstad and Borre ship graves, and several of them are very fragile. An important principle is that they should be handled as few times as possible. We therefore seek a conservator with good insight into dealing with complex archaeological objects, and preferably with experience from collection surveys. The position requires excellent organizational skills, as you will coordinate several work processes and be responsible for finishing the project within the set deadlines.

Work tasks

The project coordinator for relocating objects will be responsible for coordinating the museum’s effort to secure, document and move Viking age objects from the Viking Ship Museum. Most objects will be stored in the museum’s storage facility in Økern in Oslo, and some will be stored at other locations within in the current Viking Ship Museum.

The project coordinator will

• complete the detailed project plan for "Relocation from the fourth wing in the Viking Ship Museum"
• coordinate and participate in the team that will revise, evaluate, document (with light, 3D and X-ray photography), and move objects from the fourth wing in the Viking Ship Museum to the museum’s storage facility
• participate in the sub-project "Security, climate and logistics”
• collaborate closely with researchers in the ongoing Saving Oseberg project on the handling of alum-conserved wooden artefacts
• collaborate with the sub-project "New exhibitions" on planning the placement of the objects in the new exhibition in the new Viking Age Museum

Qualification requirements

• the position requires certified conservation training at the master's level or equivalent in the field of archaeological or cultural heritage material. Particularly relevant prior experience can replace the educational requirement.
• good communication skills, written and oral, in one of the Scandinavian languages (Norwegian, Swedish, Danish) or English
• experience with conservation of archaeological / cultural heritage materials
• experience with project work

Desirable skills / experience

• good insight into the conservation of archaeological objects with emphasis on wood
• experience with collection surveys
• experience with the use of databases
• good ICT skills
• driver’s license for passenger car

Personal qualities

We are looking for an independent and organized person who delivers within deadlines. You have good collaboration skills and are a team player who can motivate others. Furthermore, you thrive with varied tasks in a sometimes hectic environment. You have a high working capacity and a good mood. Personal suitability for the task will be emphasized.

We offer

• salary in a position as project coordinator (position code 1087 head engineer) NOK 505 800 – 576 100 per annum, depending on qualifications and experience
• a professionally stimulating and friendly work environment
• flexible work hours and attractive welfare benefits
• workout during working hours
• a generous pension agreement in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

The application must include

• a motivation letter
• CV
• diplomas and certificates

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge. Please note that all documents should be in a Scandinavian language or English.

Further information

Applicants who are invited to an interview will be asked to provide 2–3 references (name, connection to the applicant, email address and mobile number).

Pursuant to Section 25, paragraph 2, of the Act on Public Access to Information, information about the applicant may be published even if the applicant has requested not to be listed on the applicant list.

The UiO has a personnel policy goal of achieving a balanced gender composition and recruiting people with an immigrant background.

In addition, UiO wants our employees to reflect the diversity of the population to the greatest possible extent. We therefore encourage qualified applicants with reduced functional capacity to apply for the position.

Contact information

• Head of Section Ingrid Louise Flatval, mobile: +47 934 32 836, email i.l.flatval@khm.uio.no
• Conservator Guro Hjulstad, phone: +47 22 85 95 78, email guro.hjulstad@khm.uio.no

Apply for position