Otago Museum is growing its staff base, as the facility prepares for major redevelopment.

The facility is expanding its collections and research team, and plans to hire at least one new person as a conservator.

Local students are also being offered work experience with the museum's collection of almost two million items.

More than 30 applicants from New Zealand and overseas have already applied for the conservator role.

Later in the year the museum plans to offer internships to conservation students and recent graduates.

The museum board's just announced a multi-million dollar redevelopment of Discovery World, and the addition of a planetarium.