Month: November 2017

*** APPLICATION DEADLINE HAS PAST – PLEASE DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS POSITION ***

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

• Work group: Preservation
• Reports to: Marie A. Quinlan Director of Preservation

Northwestern University Libraries seek a skilled, creative, and collaborative Chief Conservator to lead a comprehensive conservation program for all library collections, including general circulating materials and non-circulating rare books, manuscripts, and archival documents in many formats. Under the supervision of the Director of Preservation, the Chief Conservator is the primary manager of the libraries’ conservation program, with responsibility for setting policy, managing workflows, supervising staff, and developing outreach programs. The Chief Conservator brings extensive experience in the care and treatment of library materials and has a demonstrated aptitude for managing complex workflows. Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaboratively set priorities are essential to these endeavors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manages the libraries’ conservation lab; hires, trains, and supervises conservation staff; develops procedures and systems for evaluation, treatment, and housing of collections; establishes priorities and monitors workflow; prepares written planning documents and reports.
• Performs circulating collection repairs on a regular basis and trains conservation lab staff in repair techniques. Performs and documents complex treatments for rare and other non-circulating materials, including books, flat paper, and archival materials in accordance with AIC Guidelines.
• Keeps abreast of new techniques, procedures, and developments in the conservation field. Oversees the post-graduate conservation fellowship program and other training programs for emerging professionals.
• Provides consultations to curators and subjects specialists on matters related to conservation. Coordinates assessment and treatment of items going through the digitization workflow.
• Develops and implements policies, standards, and procedures for the physical care of libraries’ collections; oversees the research, evaluation and selection of goods and services that impact the longevity and continued serviceability of all collections.
• Works closely with the Exhibits Team in evaluating and preparing items for exhibit; advises on planning and installation of exhibits throughout the libraries. Collaborates with Library Registrar to facilitate lending of materials for exhibition to Northwestern’s Block Museum of Art and other institutions.
• Works collaboratively with preservation staff on environmental monitoring and pest management programs. Actively participates in disaster response planning and recovery initiatives; consults on technical and service specifications for commercial binding and mass deacidification.
• Designs and presents workshops and training seminars; offers orientation for new library staff; prepares flyers, guides and exhibits as needed; presents lectures and tours for the general public.
• Identifies and evaluates private conservators for outsourced treatments as needed.
• Conducts research to further libraries and departmental goals; proposes new services, analyzes resources and implements projects, including collection surveys and multi-divisional and multi-institutional grant-funded projects.
• Represents the libraries at regional, national and international meetings of conservation professionals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in librarianship, conservation, or related field, including training in conservation, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Extensive knowledge of current conservation principles and practices, materials science, the history of bookbinding and a demonstrated commitment to life-long learning.
• Demonstrated ability to perform high quality conservation treatments on general and special collections materials, primarily books and paper, and to communicate effectively about treatment options and decisions.
• Capability to manage budgets, staff, and other resources responsibly and in accordance with priorities of the libraries and university.
• Experience training others in conservation practices.
• Record of professional engagement and contribution, such as research, publication, and involvement in pertinent professional and scholarly organizations.

MINIMUM COMPETENCIES:

• Ability to work in a collaborative team-based environment
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Adaptable, ability to adjust to changing environment
• Customer focused

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Professional Associate or Fellow membership in the American Institute for Conservation.
• Experience managing contract conservation services.
• Experience working with photographs, audiovisual formats, and ephemera.

ENVIRONMENT
Northwestern University is a highly selective private university with campuses in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois and in Doha, Qatar. One of the leading private research libraries in the United States, Northwestern University Library serves the educational and information needs of the NU community as well as scholars around the world. Its collection contains more than 7 million volumes, a full array of digital resources, and collections of distinction in Africana, transportation, and 20th-century and contemporary music. Northwestern is a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA). See more information about University Libraries at: http://www.library.northwestern.edu.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.

TO APPLY: Applications received by November 27, 2017 will receive first consideration. Please click here to fill out an application https://facultyrecruiting.northwestern.edu/apply/Njc.

Apply here: http://www.Click2Apply.net/7x94gjwtv2q3q2qh

PI100053654

The Smithsonian’s Museum Conservation Institute (MCI) is offering short-term opportunities to work on conservation and conservation research projects with conservators of art and historic works. These internships are intended mainly for the summer of 2018, but consideration will be given to projects at other times during the year. Preference will be given to applicants interested in a career in conservation, those currently enrolled in conservation training programs, and graduate students in related subjects. A stipend may be offered for a period of up to 10 weeks.

Successful applicants will contact the following potential supervisors in advance of application and specify them in the application:

• Mary Ballard, Senior Textiles Conservator, 301-238-1210, ballardm@si.edu
• Shannon Brogdon-Grantham, Photo and Paper Conservator, 301-238-1241, brogdon-granthams@si.edu
• Carol Grissom, Senior Objects Conservator, 301-238-1236, grissomc@si.edu
• Jessica S. Johnson, Head of Conservation, 301-238-1218, johnsonjs@si.edu
• Rebecca Kaczkowski, Preventive Conservator, 301-238-1242, kaczkowskir@si.edu
• Dawn Rogala, Paintings Conservator, 301-238-1255, rogalad@si.edu
• Jia-Sun Tsang, Senior Paintings Conservator (modern and contemporary paintings treatment and research), 301-238-1231, tsangj@si.edu

Applications must be made on line through SOLAA (https://solaa.si.edu)  by February 25, 2018; select the option for the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute Conservation of Art and Historic Works Intern Program. Special skill sets and experience relevant to conservation should be indicated on the application, such as fiber art skills for an internship in textile conservation. Selected candidates will be interviewed by telephone, although MCI visits are welcome.

Those interested in working under the supervision of scientists at MCI may apply separately through SOLAA for a different MCI internship, 2018 Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute Analytical Studies Intern Program, and should specify that program on the application.

The Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute (MCI) is offering short-term opportunities for undergraduates to work on research projects with staff members of its technical studies and research group.  MCI is the center for specialized technical collections research and conservation for all Smithsonian museums, collections, and research centers.  MCI combines state-of-the-art instrumentation and scientific techniques to provide technical research and characterization of objects.

Internships are intended mainly for summer 2018, but consideration will be given to projects at other times of the year.  Acceptable majors include, but are not limited to:  museum studies, conservation studies, art history, anthropology, archaeology, paleontology, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, ecology, earth sciences, chemical engineering, and materials science engineering.  Basic courses in chemistry and math are preferred; lab experience is not required.  A stipend will be offered for a period of 10 weeks.

Applicants should contact potential advisors in advance of application and should specify preferred advisors in their application. Applications must be made on line at https://solaa.si.edu  – apply for the Museum Conservation Institute Analytical Studies Intern Program.  Those interested in working under the supervision of conservators at MCI may apply separately through SOLAA for a different MCI internship:  Museum Conservation Internship Program.  Application deadline is February 25, 2018.  Selected candidates will be interviewed by telephone, although MCI visits are welcome.  Projects will be supervised by one of the following staff members:

Elena Charola, Research Scientist, 301-238-1213, charolaa@si.edu – Deterioration and conservation of stone and other inorganic materials.

Timothy Cleland, Physical Scientist, 301-238-1208, clelandtp@si.edu – Characterization and quantification of proteinaceous material in bone, tissue, and other museum collections.

Christine France, Research Physical Scientist, 301-238-1261, francec@si.edu – Analyses of human and animal remains using stable isotope mass spectrometry.

Gwénaëlle Kavich, Conservation Scientist, 301-238-1265, kavichgm@si.edu – Analyses of organic and inorganic materials in cultural heritage using py-GC-MS, FTIR, Raman, and XRF.

Thomas Lam, Physical Scientist, 301-238-1232, lamt@si.edu – Materials characterization of cultural heritage using SEM, cathodoluminescence, XRF, and microfadometry.

Nicole Little, Physical Scientist, 301-238-1243, littlen@si.edu – Provenance studies of museum objects and analysis of biologic remains using ICP-MS, XRD, and SEM.

Asher Newsome, Physical Scientist, 301-238-1223, newsomeg@si.edu – Biomolecular and ambient mass spectrometry of surfaces, coatings, residues, ink, paint, metabolites, and chemical adulterants.

Caroline Solazzo, 301-238-1284, solazzoc@si.edu – Proteomics applications to cultural heritage; characterization and species identification of keratin-based tissues and artefacts; degradation of ancient proteins.

Keats Webb, Digital Imaging Specialist, 301-238-1212, webbekeats@si.edu – Advanced imaging of museum objects using 2D- and 3D-imaging techniques as well as optical imaging beyond the range of human vision.

Edward Vicenzi, Research Scientist, 301-238-1215, vicenzie@si.edu – Determining the origin and history of natural and manufactured materials via spectroscopic imaging in the SEM, including micro XRF imaging and spectrometry.