Assistant/Associate Conservator of Furniture (Winterthur, DE, USA)

  • Review of applications will begin as of September 15, 2017 and continue until the position is filled
  • Scheduled days/hours: Full Time- 35 hours/week
  • Department: Conservation

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library in Winterthur, DE seeks candidates for the position of Assistant/Associate Conservator of Furniture in a dynamic furniture conservation laboratory whose mission is the preservation and enhanced understanding of wooden objects through collection preservation (documentation, treatment, and implementing storage strategies), exhibition, education and outreach, and object-based research and analysis. This position offers a unique and exciting opportunity for a highly motivated individual to engage the history, craft, conservation, and material science of nearly 15,000 examples of early American furniture and architectural elements in a world-class museum and library comprising 89,000 objects made and used in America from 1630 -1860; 20th century Winterthur Estate materials; and 500,000 documents, books, manuscripts, and images. The successful candidate will collaborate with colleagues across the institution to exhibit furniture in both gallery settings and furnished rooms of the former du Pont home. In addition to the above, responsibilities will include teaching and advising in the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation (WUDPAC) and engaging in public and professional outreach.

In addition to furniture, the Conservation Department includes eight other laboratories staffed by leading professionals in: paper, textiles, objects, library and archival materials, preventive and collection care, and paintings conservation; conservation photography; and scientific research and analysis.

 Job Requirements: A Master’s degree in conservation combined with a minimum of two/seven years conservation experience is required. Applicant must possess strong hand skills applicable to furniture making and wood manipulation. The successful candidate will undertake the care, treatment and study of furniture and wooden objects in the Winterthur collection. Familiarity and facility with allied materials as they relate to furniture is a preferred. Experience with power and hand tools required. The applicant must demonstrate treatment achievement, teaching and scholarly potential, and evidence of professional engagement. Support of the museum’s overall conservation efforts are an integral component of the position and the candidate must be committed to extensive collaboration with museum conservators and scientists; curators; exhibition, registration, development and other related staff; and WUDPAC faculty and students. In addition to care of the Winterthur Collections, the Furniture Conservator may also supervise documentation and treatment of archaeological, ethnographic, modern and contemporary artwork/objects through WUDPAC student projects. The successful candidate will demonstrate (1) excellent interpersonal and communication skills with staff, students, museum and university colleagues, donors, and the general public (2) creative thinking and solutions-based problem-solving, and (3) superior organizational abilities with a high attention to detail. A proven ability to work both collaboratively and independently while managing multiple tasks simultaneously is required.

This position reports to the Senior Conservator of Furniture.

Salary will be commensurate with experience. To apply, send a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, writing sample, and contact information for three professional references familiar with your furniture conservation experience to: jobs@winterthur.org. Please reference Job #1135 – Furniture Conservator in the subject line. Review of applications will begin as of September 15, 2017 and continue until the position is filled.