What skills does a museum scientist need?

A museum scientist needs 44 essential skills including art collections, collection management software, museum databases, museology, draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentation. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace museum scientist jobs?

The AI disruption score for museum scientist is 72/100 (high risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Public Administration & LegalLegal, social and cultural professionalsISCO 2621

museum scientist

Museum scientists perform and/or manage the curatorial, preparatory and clerical work in general museums, botanical gardens, art galleries, fine arts related collections, aquariums or similar areas. They manage the collections of natural, historical and anthropological material that is educational, scientific or aesthetic in purpose.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (44)

art collectionsart collectionsThe variety of paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings and other works that form collections in a museum and prospective new collections which are of interest for a museum or art gallery.collection management softwarecollection management softwareBe familiar with specialised collection management software used to document and keep record of the museum collection.museum databasesmuseum databasesThe tools and processes involved in working with museum databases.museologymuseologyThe study of the evolution of museums within societies overtime. It includes also the activities that museums carry out such as curation, preservation and public programming.draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentationdraft scientific or academic papers and technical documentationDraft and edit scientific, academic or technical texts on different subjects.manage research datamanage research dataProduce and analyse scientific data originating from qualitative and quantitative research methods. Store and maintain the data in research databases. Support the re-use of scientific data and be fami...advise on acquisitionsadvise on acquisitionsProvide advice based on existing and planned acquisitions and investigate acquisition options.prepare exhibition programsprepare exhibition programsWork on exhibition programs and write concept texts.interact professionally in research and professional environmentsinteract professionally in research and professional environmentsShow consideration to others as well as collegiality. Listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others, also involving staff supervision and leadership in a professional setting.work with cultural venue specialistswork with cultural venue specialistsCall upon the competence of other professionals and specialists, from within and outside the organisation, to contribute to activities and provide documents to improve public access to collections and...disseminate results to the scientific communitydisseminate results to the scientific communityPublicly disclose scientific results by any appropriate means, including conferences, workshops, colloquia and scientific publications.operate open source softwareoperate open source softwareOperate Open Source software, knowing the main Open Source models, licensing schemes, and the coding practices commonly adopted in the production of Open Source software.speak different languagesspeak different languagesMaster foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.perform lecturesperform lecturesPresent lectures to various groups.evaluate research activitiesevaluate research activitiesReview proposals, progress, impact and outcomes of peer researchers, including through open peer review.demonstrate disciplinary expertisedemonstrate disciplinary expertiseDemonstrate deep knowledge and complex understanding of a specific research area, including responsible research, research ethics and scientific integrity principles, privacy and GDPR requirements, re...supervise special visitorssupervise special visitorsServe as docents for special visitors and groups.increase the impact of science on policy and societyincrease the impact of science on policy and societyInfluence evidence-informed policy and decision making by providing scientific input to and maintaining professional relationships with policymakers and other stakeholders.manage findable accessible interoperable and reusable datamanage findable accessible interoperable and reusable dataProduce, describe, store, preserve and (re) use scientific data based on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, making data as open as possible, and as closed as necessar...perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.use ICT resources to solve work related tasksuse ICT resources to solve work related tasksChoose and use ICT resources in order to solve related tasks.apply for research fundingapply for research fundingIdentify key relevant funding sources and prepare research grant application in order to obtain funds and grants. Write research proposals.monitor museum environmentmonitor museum environmentMonitor and document environmental conditions in a museum, in storage as well as exhibition facilities. Make sure an adapted and stable climate is guaranteed.maintain catalogue collectionmaintain catalogue collectionDescribe, inventorise and catalogue items in a collection.apply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activitiesapply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activitiesApply fundamental ethical principles and legislation to scientific research, including issues of research integrity. Perform, review, or report research avoiding misconducts such as fabrication, falsi...promote open innovation in researchpromote open innovation in researchApply techniques, models, methods and strategies which contribute to the promotion of steps towards innovation through collaboration with people and organizations outside the organisation.publish academic researchpublish academic researchConduct academic research, in universities and research institutions, or on a personal account, publish it in books or academic journals with the aim of contributing to a field of expertise and achiev...promote the transfer of knowledgepromote the transfer of knowledgeDeploy broad awareness of processes of knowledge valorisation aimed to maximise the two–way flow of technology, intellectual property, expertise and capability between the research base and industry o...think abstractlythink abstractlyDemonstrate the ability to use concepts in order to make and understand generalisations, and relate or connect them to other items, events, or experiences.mentor individualsmentor individualsMentor individuals by providing emotional support, sharing experiences and giving advice to the individual to help them in their personal development, as well as adapting the support to the specific n...supervise projects for the conservation of heritage buildingssupervise projects for the conservation of heritage buildingsSupervise protection and restoration projects of cultural heritage. Use your expertise to make sure the project runs smoothly.manage personal professional developmentmanage personal professional developmentTake responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional developmen...document museum collectiondocument museum collectionRecord information about an object's condition, provenance, materials, and all of its movements within the museum or out on loan.write scientific publicationswrite scientific publicationsPresent the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.report analysis resultsreport analysis resultsProduce research documents or give presentations to report the results of a conducted research and analysis project, indicating the analysis procedures and methods which led to the results, as well as...develop professional network with researchers and scientistsdevelop professional network with researchers and scientistsDevelop alliances, contacts or partnerships, and exchange information with others. Foster integrated and open collaborations where different stakeholders co-create shared value research and innovation...integrate gender dimension in researchintegrate gender dimension in researchTake into account in the whole research process the biological characteristics and the evolving social and cultural features of women and men (gender).select loan objectsselect loan objectsSelect specimens for exhibitions loans.manage open publicationsmanage open publicationsBe familiar with Open Publication strategies, with the use of information technology to support research, and with the development and management of CRIS (current research information systems) and ins...study a collectionstudy a collectionResearch and trace the origins and the historical significance of collections and archive content.maintain museum recordsmaintain museum recordsKeep museum records current and in conformity with museum standards.synthesise informationsynthesise informationCritically read, interpret, and summarise new and complex information from diverse sources.conduct research across disciplinesconduct research across disciplinesWork and use research findings and data across disciplinary and/or functional boundaries.communicate with a non-scientific audiencecommunicate with a non-scientific audienceCommunicate about scientific findings to a non-scientific audience, including the general public. Tailor the communication of scientific concepts, debates, findings to the audience, using a variety of...

Optional (9)

cultural geographycultural geographyThe subfield of geography that deals with the cultural values and artefacts of people, as well as the cultural diversity of the society. It studies how cultural aspects relate to the places where they...liaise with cultural partnersliaise with cultural partnersEstablish and maintain sustainable partnerships with cultural authorities, sponsors and other cultural institutions.teach in academic or vocational contextsteach in academic or vocational contextsInstruct students in the theory and practice of academic or vocational subjects, transferring the content of own and others' research activities.provide project information on exhibitionsprovide project information on exhibitionsProvide information on the preparation, execution and evaluation of exhibitions and other artistic projects.respect cultural differences in the field of exhibitionrespect cultural differences in the field of exhibitionRespect cultural differences when creating artistic concepts and exhibitions. Collaborate with international artists, curators, museums and sponsors.direct an artistic teamdirect an artistic teamLead and instruct a complete team with the required cultural expertise and experience.apply blended learningapply blended learningBe familiar with blended learning tools by combining traditional face-to-face and online learning, using digital tools, online technologies, and e-learning methods.present exhibitionpresent exhibitionPresent an exhibition and give educational lectures in a comprehensible way that is attractive to the public.perform project managementperform project managementManage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project's progress in order to achieve a specific g...