Job Opening: Assistant Scientist
The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI), located in Los Angeles, California and the Getty Villa in Malibu, is one of the operating programs of the J. Paul Getty Trust, working internationally to advance conservation practice in the visual arts, broadly interpreted to include objects, collections, architecture, and sites. The GCI serves the conservation community through scientific research, education and training, model field projects, and the broad dissemination of the results of both its own work and the work of others in the field. In all its endeavors, the GCI focuses on the creation and dissemination of knowledge that will benefit the professionals and organizations responsible for the conservation of the world’s cultural heritage.
The GCI’s Science Department is seeking an individual to fill the position of Assistant Scientist, to join our newly launched Built Heritage Research Initiative, in collaboration with the University of Oxford, UK, undertaking scientific research and analysis on stone and other traditional building materials to explore their performance and deterioration. This research focuses on the development of testing protocols to improve conservation practice of built heritage (buildings, monuments and sites) from ancient to modern and across the world; and to disseminate our findings through professional publications and conferences.
Responsibilities: Initially reporting to the Head of Science, the Assistant Scientist will work primarily on evaluating conservation treatments for sandstone, and undertake routine analysis and testing of traditional building materials. The successful candidate will: propose and develop research strategies to test building materials and their conservation treatments, undertake routine analysis on samples, assess a range of field-based evaluation techniques to provide additional information on treatment effectiveness, compile and interpret analytical data collected, and organize reports and data files.
Qualifications: The Assistant Scientist must have a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or other natural science, Master’s degree preferred; 1-3 years of experience in scientific research, preferably in the field of cultural heritage or a related field. Hands-on familiarity with: taking and analyzing samples; instrumental techniques such as SEM-EDS, XRF, FTIR, mechanical testing, and surface characterization, is strongly desired. The successful candidate must be adaptable, analytical, and a creative problem-solver and thinker; able to work effectively in a highly collaborative and variable environment; have experience working with conservators in a conservation science laboratory; and possess excellent organization, communication, and writing skills.
An excellent benefits package and salary commensurate with experience will be provided.
To apply, please see: https://jobs-getty.icims.com/ . All applicants should be prepared to upload a cover letter and curriculum vitae as a single file (either a PDF or a Word document) when prompted to upload a Resume online. Candidates who successfully complete the online application process will receive an automated message from “autoreply@icims.com”. If you have specific questions about the Research Lab Associate position, please email gcistaffing@getty.edu. Deadline for applications is June 13, 2016.