Science Museum Group

This hands-on, entry-level internship at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester focuses on preserving, restoring, and maintaining a historic collection of working textile looms, blending practical workshop mechanics with technical research and collections care to support the museum's live demonstration programming.Job descriptionAre 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 opportunityAs 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:Heritage conservation and collections careMechanical systems and machinery maintenanceTechnical research and documentationWorkshop and hands-on conservation practiceMuseum operations and public engagementYou’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:Heritage conservationIndustrial heritageEngineering and technical museum workCollections care and museum practiceRestoration and maintenance of historic machineryThis 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:Practical experience working with historic machineryMentoring from experienced museum professionalsExposure to conservation and engineering practicesInsight into careers within the heritage sectorOpportunities to build professional networks across the industryValuable technical, research and problem-solving skillsMost importantly, you’ll help preserve working industrial heritage for future generations.About youYou 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:Are excited by practical, hands-on learningEnjoy problem-solving and figuring out how things workAre curious, organised and eager to learnCan pay attention to detail and follow processes carefullyEnjoy working collaboratively with othersAn interest or enthusiasm for industrial history or textile machineryEnjoy researching, recording and sharing informationExperience with tools, workshops, mechanical equipment, engineering, museums or conservation is welcome, but not essential.

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