Royal Museums Greenwich is a collection of diverse historical sites. The sites are the National Maritime Museum, Cutty Sark, the Royal Observatory, and the Queen’s House. Each of these sites has a unique identity and a common purpose to serve our communities, through sharing our collections and expertise. We are a place to explore the sea, space, art and history, and our strategy ‘Charting Our Course’ puts people at the core of its success.

The Astronomy Engagement department is based at the Royal Observatory Greenwich and undertakes a wide range of science communication and engagement programmes and activities for Public and Educational audiences. Reporting to the Public Astronomy Officer and Senior Public Astronomy Officer, the Observatory Explainer primarily focuses on presenting regular activities for families, and general visitors, as well as tailored workshops for community groups, such as scouting and girlguiding groups. Key responsibilities involve liaising with the Astronomy Engagement department and other departments across Royal Museums Greenwich to ensure the smooth running of explainer-led activities, attending regular training sessions to develop skills and revise content, and setting up and clearing away furniture, equipment, materials and signage for explainer-led activities.

The successful candidate will need to have good scientific literacy in relation to physics, a passion for astrophysics/astronomy and space science, backed by personal knowledge, and the ability to engage with and explain scientific concepts to people of all ages. An interest in the history of science and technology, and experience of public speaking, are essential. The postholder will be confident with digital technology, approachable and outgoing, and able to demonstrate good customer service skills.  

The types of contracts available are:

• 4 hours a week on either Saturday or Sunday between 10.00 and 17.00. Work schedules will be sent at least 1 month in advance. Overtime opportunities will be available at the weekends, in the evenings and in the school holidays for those able to take on extra work. Breaks are provided for those working 4 hours or more.Salary: £3,168 per annum

• Casual work; the postholder would need to be available to take up shifts mainly taking place in the evenings or on weekends. Work opportunities will be relatively frequent but irregular. The post-holder will be required to work 3-6 hours on any given day. Salary: £15.17 per hour

Please state in your application which hours and type of contract you would like to apply for.

We encourage you to read the attached job description and recruitment pack before applying for this role.

Diversity and inclusion are integral to our work at Royal Museums Greenwich, as we are a museum for everyone. We want to foster a spirit of inclusion, collaborative working, innovation, and valuing people as individuals whose lives have been shaped by different experiences. Therefore, we welcome applications from everyone. 

We actively work with Disability Confident scheme and ask that you let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments you need or things you would like us to know during the interview process, which may include being provided the interview questions in advance, requiring a step free interview space, that you are eye-contact avoidant, or having the interview questions in a written format or additional time in timed tests, interviews or other assessment activities.