Job Posting: Internship (6 months) Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute (Washington, DC)

2017 MCI Short Term Conservation Internship (6 months)
MCI seeks a graduate level student with a knowledge of textile science and color technology to assist in a project on LED lighting. Red and violet colorants on textiles are susceptible to color shifts due to the spectral power distributions (SPDs) of LED lamps. This case study will assess the effect of red dyes available in the 1930’s using visible spectroscopy and various computer programs. Working under the direction of the senior textiles conservator, the intern will coordinate his/her findings with the SPDs of potential solid state lighting (SSL) available to museum lighting designers in order to optimize the coloration of museum objects while minimizing overall illuminance values (lux or footcandles). This interdisciplinary internship is a coordinated project between the Museum Conservation Institute and the National Museum of American History, Preservation Services department. A stipend will be awarded ($14,400). The prospective fellow should first contact Mary Ballard, MCI Senior Textiles Conservator (ballardm@si.edu) to discuss this project. Applications must be made through the Office of Fellowships and Internships by November 30, 2016.
Location and Supervision: MCI is the center for specialized technical collection research and conservation for all Smithsonian museums and collections in Suitland, MD. MCI combines knowledge of materials and the history of technology with state-of-the-art instrumentation and scientific techniques to provide technical research studies and interpretation of artistic, anthropological, biological, and historical objects.
To Apply: Applications must be made through the Smithsonian’s Online Academic Appointment System (https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html) by November 30, 2016; select the option for the MCI Internship/Fellowship Program.