Category: Job, Internship, & Fellowship Postings

Preventive Conservator, Smithsonian’s Museum Conservation Institute
The Smithsonian’s Museum Conservation Institute (MCI) is seeking a Conservator with a specialization in preventive conservation of museum collections and their environments. The Preventive Conservator will examine museum collections and conduct appropriate treatments documenting the processes in accordance with practices and tenets of the profession, will conduct research pertinent to preventive conservation in the museum environment, and will serve as a mentor in MCI training programs. Any material specialty (e.g., objects, photographs, textiles, paper) may apply for this position. The successful candidate will have experience in research, professional presentation, and publication.
MCI is a scientific research center of the Smithsonian Institution with the mission to increase and disseminate scientific knowledge that improves preservation and conservation of museum collections and related material, with an emphasis on the collections of the Smithsonian Institution’s museums. For a more detailed description of the MCI’s programs please see www.si.edu/mci.
For a complete application package and instructions please access USAJOBS https://www.usajobs.gov/ or the Smithsonian website http://www.si.edu/OHR/jobs_public and retrieve announcement numbers 15A-SR-300452-DEU-MCI and 15A-SR-300452-MPA-MCI. The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Vacancy closes Tuesday, June 9, 2015. Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. National.
For more information contact:
Jessica S. Johnson
Head of Conservation
Museum Conservation Institute
Smithsonian Institution
301 238 1218
johnsonjs@si.edu

Release Date: May 15, 2015
Staff member contact:  Jennifer Komar Olivarez                                                   Staff phone: 612-870-3115
Invitation to Bid
Conservation/Restoration Services for
Purcell-Cutts Art Glass Windows
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
2400 Third Avenue South
Minneapolis Minnesota 55404 
 
INTRODUCTION
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA; also referred to hereafter as the Owner) is soliciting bids from qualified firms or individuals to provide art conservation services for a group of historic art glass windows in the Purcell-Cutts house in Minneapolis. The house itself is an accessioned object in the MIA’s collection, an historic property on the National Register of Historic Places, and an Individual Landmark on the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission list of Landmarks and Historic Districts. In addition, each of the windows in the house is an accessioned object in the MIA’s collection.
For more information on this posting, please follow this link: MIA Purcell-Cutts window conservation RFP final
 

Sculpture Conservator

Nasher Sculpture Center

Dallas, Texas

The Sculpture Conservator directs the conservation program for the Nasher Sculpture Center and The Raymond and Patsy Nasher Collection. S/He is responsible for the care, maintenance, and treatment of over 300 works in the Nasher collection plus works on loan to the Nasher as part of an extremely active exhibition program. These duties include: maintaining regular condition surveys of the collection; working closely with curatorial and registration staff on the packing, handling, and installation of the collection and works on loan; researching conservation treatments as necessary and carrying out such treatments or working with professional consultants on treatments; management of annual budget, as well as onsite and offsite conservation facilities; supervision of interns and part-time staff; establishment, as priorities allow, of regional conservation services for other collections; and participation in publication, conference, and lecture activities. The Sculpture Conservator reports to the Chief Curator.
Job Requirements
Job requirements include a Masters degree in art conservation, demonstrated skill in conservation treatments, good analytical and problem solving skills, outstanding communication aptitude with colleagues and public, good physical health, strong self-motivation and also the ability to work well on a team, and at least two years of professional experience in a museum or private practice.
To apply, please send CV, letter of interest, and three references to Chief Curator Jed Morse at jmorse@nashersculpturecenter.org. EEO/AA.
About the Nasher Sculpture Center
The Nasher Sculpture Center is dedicated to exploring modern and contemporary sculpture in all of its revolutionary artistic and intellectual variety, and to fostering its appreciation, study, and preservation through innovative and stimulating programs. Established in 2003 as the public home to one of the finest collections of modern and contemporary sculpture in the world, the Nasher Sculpture Center features The Raymond and Patsy Nasher Collection, which includes masterworks by Calder, De Kooning, Di Suvero, Giacometti, Hepworth, Kelly, Matisse, Miró, Moore, Picasso, Rodin, Serra, and Turrell, among others, and continues to grow and evolve.
The Nasher Sculpture Center presents a dynamic slate of rotating exhibitions of works from the Nasher Collection, as well as special exhibitions of modern and contemporary sculpture and architecture drawn from other museums and private collections.
Located on a 2.4-acre site in the heart of the Dallas Arts District, the Nasher Sculpture Center combines a 1.4-acre urban sculpture park by landscape architect Peter Walker with an elegant, light-filled 55,000 square foot building designed by architect Renzo Piano to provide extensive space for both indoor and outdoor installations and additional museum activities and services. In addition, the Center contains an auditorium, education, conservation, and research facilities, a café, and a store. www.nashersculpturecenter.org

POSITION TITLE/DEPARTMENT 

Andrew W. Mellon Senior Conservation Scientist

Conservation Department
CLASSIFICATION/GRADE/SALARY RANGE
Full-time, Exempt
Salary, commensurate with experience
GENERAL SUMMARY 
The Detroit Institute of Arts seeks applicants for the Andrew W. Mellon Senior Conservation Scientist position. The successful candidate will head the Analytical Science Lab in the Conservation Department and will be responsible for developing and implementing a conservation science program in support of research and preservation of DIA collections ranging from antiquity to the 21^st century. Significant previous experience in a museum conservation environment is required. The candidate will be expected to possess research/analysis experience applicable to a wide range of artists’ materials both organic and inorganic. The individual will join a department that includes conservators of paintings, objects, and paper; an imaging specialist; and a mount designer and fabricator.
This position reports to the Director of Conservation.  
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 
Research and Analysis

• Works in collaboration with DIA conservators and curators in the examination and analysis of a broad range of artists’ materials and degradation products, both organic and inorganic
• Interprets analytical data and communicates the results in a manner that fosters the understanding of artists’ materials and techniques and the preservation of the DIA collections
• Conducts non-destructive analysis on works of art under consideration for purchase in support of the conservation condition assessments submitted to the DIA Collections Committee
• Develops and coordinates cooperative technical studies of DIA objects with academic colleagues and other museum scientists, and collaborates in the writing of papers for publication in art historical, conservation, or scientific journals
• Stays abreast of developments in the application of scientific techniques to the analysis of artist’ materials through journal research and attendance at conferences and seminars

Educational Outreach

• Communicates effectively the work of conservation science to both professional colleagues and non-technical audiences through tours, lectures, web content, and video
• Instructs and supervises fellows, interns, and students in the understanding and performance of materials analysis
• Participates in exhibition development and museum education initiatives

General Duties

• Maintains the instrumentation in the lab— microscopes, micro-FTIR spectrometer, micro-Raman spectrometer, Artax XRF spectrometer, Bruker handheld XRF spectrometer, ultramicrotome, and analytical balances
• Maintains excellent records of conducted analyses
• Develops and administers the budget of the analytical laboratory
• Maintains communication with technicians and applications specialists at analytical instrumentation companies
• Maintains appropriate X-ray license registration with the State of Michigan
• Tracks dosimeter monitoring for X-ray users in the Conservation Department
• Analyzes proposed case and mount materials for gallery and special exhibition installations

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. required in chemistry or other physical science
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a museum conservation science laboratory
• Cross-cultural knowledge of art and art history
• Working knowledge of scanning electron microscopy/ energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), polarized light microscopy (PLM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
• Experience in grant management and instrumentation evaluation
• Broad, in-depth knowledge of artists’ materials and techniques relating to paintings, 3-D artworks, works on paper, and textiles
• Ability to operate and maintain scientific instrumentation, including:
  •  X-ray fluorescence spectrometers (Artax and Bruker hand-held)
  •  Micro-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer
  •  Micro-Raman spectrometer
  •  Ultramicrotome for cross-section preparation and other relevant sample preparation techniques
  •  Microscopes
  •  Analytical balances
• Experience in developing and administering a budget
• Knowledge of radiation safety
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with conservators, curators, collections management staff, museum educators, academic scientists, and scientists from other museums
• Ability to effectively communicate the work of conservation science to non-technical audiences
• Ability to analyze data and prepare technical reports
• A record of peer-reviewed research and publications
• Demonstrated ability to show initiative and resourcefulness in handling difficult and unusual analytical problems

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Interested applicants for this position must submit a cover letter, resume/curriculum vitae, and writing sample online at www.dia.org.  Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

THE DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

MELLON POSTGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP IN CONSERVATION OF FURNITURE AND WOODWORK – PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is offering a Mellon Postgraduate Fellowship in the conservation of furniture and woodwork beginning on August 1, 2015 and ending on October 30, 2016.  
The applicant should be a graduate of a recognized conservation training program or have equivalent experience. Work will include technical examination, treatment, research, and preservation activities on European, American, and Asian furniture and architectural woodwork in the Museum’s collections.
Each fellowship includes a yearly stipend of $35,198, health insurance, $3,000 in travel funds and $2,000 for research support. Applications should be sent electronically and include: pdf files containing statement of interest, resume, transcripts of graduate courses, and three examples of examination and treatment records with photographs. Please include any published treatments or research.
For electronic submissions please use a file sharing service (such as DropBox or WeTransfer) to gdiefenderfer@philamuseum.org.
Confidential supporting letters from two conservation professionals familiar with the candidate’s work should be sent directly to Behrooz Salimnejad, Elaine S. Harrington Senior Conservator of Furniture and Woodwork, Philadelphia Museum of Art, P.O. Box 7646, Philadelphia, PA  19101-7646.
Questions can be addressed by email to bsalimnejad@philamuseum.org or by telephone at 215-684-7557.
All application materials must be received by June 15, 2015.
Chris Wasson
Conservation Administrator
Philadelphia Museum of Art
215 684 7542
mailto:cwasson@philamuseum.org

THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART 

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

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  Assistant/Associate Conservator/Paper Conservation Department 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the world’s finest museums, seeks an Assistant/Associate Conservator in the Paper Conservation Department.  This position undertakes a wide range of conservation procedures on  Western historic, modern and contemporary drawings, prints; miniatures on vellum, paper and ivory; manuscript illuminations on vellum, Islamic and Indian paintings, paintings on palm leaf (individual leaves and bound albums),  wallpaper and other materials that are under the jurisdiction of the Paper Conservation Department. Conservation procedures include treatment, examination, evaluating new acquisitions, condition checking of works entering and leaving the Museum, surveying of works in the collection, analysis and identification of materials and structure, by chemical and instrumental means, to determine condition, authenticity, and proposals for treatment and housing. In addtion, all works conserved are photographed and electronically documented, discussed with supervisor prior to treatment and initiate and assist with approved research supporting technical art history, conservation treatment, and preservation. Ancillary conservation procedures include but are not limited to laboratory management tasks undertaken with other members of the department, such as organization and maintenance of conservation supplies, equipment and chemicals according to established safety procedures, preparing chemical solutions, consolidants and adhesives for treatment, obtaining product information, testing materials for treatment, and preparation of materials for laboratory workshops. This full-time position is scheduled to end on December 31, 2015.
Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

• The examination, analysis, documentation and treatment of  assigned works of art.
• Carrying out condition examination of works to be loaned, or on loan, or to be acquired.
• Assisting in the management and maintenance of the laboratory including the preparation of  chemical reagents and solutions.
• Assisting in the housing and hinging of works of art.
• Other related duties

Requirements and Qualifications: Experience and Skills:

• Demonstrated excellence in performing complex conservation treatments.
• Excellent manual skills.
• Ability to maintain attention to detail and to sustain focus on long term projects. High quality work as well as efficient use of time is valued.
• Working knowledge of chemical and material sciences.
• Knowledge of preservation standards for archival matting and housing, for  environmental conditions.
• Ability to use digital cameras and electronic resources in documenting treatment.
• Ability to devise conservation strategies based on knowledge of materials, chemical processes, and aesthetic and ethical considerations.
• In depth knowledge of the history of paper, papermaking, artists’ materials and art.
• Ability to work effectively and constructively both independently and as part of a team, be attentive and engaged with laboratory activities.
• Demonstrated interest in works of art, their fabrication and history, and aesthetic criteria in relation to individual’s conservation projects.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, excellent written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, time management skills, including the ability to establish priorities, meet deadlines and achieve goals.
• Ability to work cooperatively at all times with a large group of conservators and curators.
• Willingness to accept supervision and guidance.
• Attentiveness to conservation issues taking place in the laboratory.

Knowledge and Education:

• A graduate degree in Conservation (a Masters or Certificate/Masters) from an accredited university, including course work in chemistry and material science.
• Specialization in paper conservation in graduate level conservation studies, and in subsequent employment.
• A minimum of two years post graduate internship or fellowship in paper conservation, or a minimum of five years of professional paper conservation experience, preferably in a museum conservation laboratory.

Please send cover letter, resume, and salary history to careers@metmuseum.org with “Assistant/Associate Conservator/Paper Conservation” in the subject line. Please submit by June 5, 2015. The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

Pre-Program Conservation Internship
Utah Museum of Fine Arts 
Through the generosity of an Art Works grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Utah Museum of Fine Arts is pleased to offer a paid pre-program conservation internship for summer 2015. This internship is in support of the grant-funded condition survey of our European Paintings Collection and will be primarily focused on that project. The intern will also be expected to participate in day-to-day conservation tasks in the museum including record management and preventive conservation.  This internship includes a $3,000 stipend and is a full-time 10 week position to occur between June-September 2015. Applicants are expected to be able to lift 35 pounds from the floor to chest level. This internship is ideal for applicants preparing for graduate level conservation programs, and applicants are expected to have previous museum experience.
For more information on how to apply please contact Robyn Haynie:
robyn.haynie@umfa.utah.edu
Conservator
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
801.585.9769

A.G. Leventis Fellowship in Object Conservation
Supported by a grant from the A. G. Leventis Foundation, the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (Penn Museum) is happy to offer a one-year Conservation Fellowship to a recent graduate in objects conservation.
The position is full-time, beginning September 2, 2015, and includes benefits. The Fellow will be responsible for conducting a condition survey, re-housing, and photography project for a collection of more than 1,500 Bronze and Iron Age ceramic artifacts from the Museum’s excavations at the site of Lapithos, Cyprus. Additionally, the Fellow will be responsible for carrying out as many previously identified high priority treatments as feasible. Completion of the project will result in improved protection of the collection an increased accessibility for class use, scholarly research, and public exhibition.
Candidates should be graduates of a recognized conservation training program in the USA or Canada or a US citizen who has successfully completed a graduate-level conservation program abroad. Candidates should be eligible to work in the United States. The preferred candidate will possess practical treatment experience, a willingness to learn, good organizational skills, and a solid understanding of the field of conservation, including current ethical and philosophical approaches. Previous experience in undertaking condition surveys is preferred, as is proven proficiency in documentation photography. A demonstrated interest in the Archaeology of the Mediterranean will be beneficial, but not required.
Professional presentation and public outreach opportunities may include presenting a paper on the project at conferences, as well as at lecture series and symposia at the Museum. The Fellow will be expected to make contributions to the Museum’s blog and YouTube channel and take rotations in the Museum’s public Artifact Lab where the Fellow would conduct work and participate in question & answer sessions with visitors. The Fellow will report to the Penn Museum’s Head of Conservation.
Please email your CV and letter of interest to Lynn Grant at lgrant0@upenn.edu by June 22, 2015.

Head of Preservation Services
The University of Miami Libraries seeks nominations and applications for a creative, innovative professional to serve as leader for preservation services. Under the direction of the Associate Dean for Collection Strategies and Scholarly Communication, the Head of Preservation Services is responsible for the operation and further development of a comprehensive preservation program for the UM Libraries. The Head of Preservation Services will oversee and coordinate all preservation/conservation efforts, including the management of general collection care activities, the conservation lab, disaster/emergency planning and recovery, environmental monitoring, integrated pest management, education and outreach efforts, exhibition and digitization support activities; collaborates in digital preservation activities.
UNIVERSITY: The University of Miami is one of the nation’s leading research universities in a community of extraordinary diversity and international vitality. The University is a privately supported, non-sectarian institution, located in Coral Gables, Florida, on a 260-acre subtropical campus. The University comprises 11 degree granting schools and colleges, including Architecture, Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Communication, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Music, Nursing, and Marine and Atmospheric Science (www.miami.edu).
THE LIBRARY: The University of Miami Libraries (www.library.miami.edu) rank among the top research libraries in North America with a collection of over 3.6 million volumes and 95,631 current serials titles, including 93,682 electronic journals. The Otto G. Richter Library lies in the center of the Coral Gables campus and serves as the central library for the University. Other University of Miami libraries include the Paul Buisson Architecture Library, the Judi Prokop Newman Business Information Resource Center, the Marta & Austin Weeks Music Library, and the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science Library. The University also has independent medical and law libraries. The Libraries provide support and services for approximately 11,273 undergraduates, 5,501 graduate students, and 13,576 full and part time faculty and staff. Excluding the independent libraries, the University Libraries employ 68 professional and 80 support staff and are a member of ARL, ASERL, CLIR, CRL, NERL, OCLC Research Library Partners, HathiTrust, APTrust, DPN, SEFLIN and Lyrasis.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:
Performance

• Provides leadership and direction for a comprehensive preservation program, including defining needs, establishing goals, objectives and plans, and managing budget allocations in support of preservation activities;
• Supervises, evaluates, develops and mentors the activities of support staff and student assistants in the provision of collection care, conservation, and binding [currently 2 FTE staff and 3-5 students]
• Collaborates with the Associate Dean for Collection Strategies, subject liaisons, and special collections curators and archivists to develop preservation plans for all collections and set preservation/conservation priorities;
• Provides and/or coordinates preservation assessment surveys of the collection; maintains statistics, and compiles narrative and statistical reports as needed;
• Oversees the repair, restoration, and preservation of materials from special and general collections; develop policies and procedures for preparation of special collections material for exhibit and digitization using best archival and conservation practices
• Continues staff and user education training program for proper materials handling for both special and general collections.
• Collaborates with Digital Strategies staff on management of all phases of the life cycle of the Libraries’ digital assets, to preserve and provide long-term access to them;
• Monitors environmental conditions of collection and exhibit areas and oversees a pest management program;
• Manages the Libraries disaster response plan for collections and electronic resources, coordinates recovery efforts, and develops training programs for library response teams.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Service

• Networks, collaborates and actively participates in local, regional, national, or international organizations regarding preservation issues.
• Represents and promotes the University of Miami Libraries in local, state-wide, regional, national, or international organizations, as appropriate.
• Serves on/participates in Libraries and University organizations, committees, task forces, and teams as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS
Required:

• Master’s degree from an ALA accredited program or foreign equivalent.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in a preservation or conservation program at a major academic institution.
• Training in book conservation/preservation. Experience in the treatment of library materials and comprehensive knowledge of preservation practices, issues, and emerging trends.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the life cycle management of digital assets; an understanding of issues related to digital formats, media, and migration, along with an aptitude for quickly mastering technical topics.
• Successful administrative, budget management and supervisory experience.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to work independently, collaboratively, and in teams within the Library and University.
• Demonstrated effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to user-centered library service and the ability to work flexibly and creatively in a changing and fast-paced environment with a culturally diverse population.
• Demonstrated project management, organizational, analytical, and problem solving skills.
• Evidence of continued professional development, involvement, and contribution.

Desired:

• Knowledge of or experience with issues related to digital formats, media, migration, and preservation.
• Knowledge or experience in non-print media preservation, with an emphasis on photographic materials.
• Experience planning and managing grant-funded projects.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. This is a non-tenure track faculty appointment at the Librarian Assistant or Associate Professor rank. The position offers a comprehensive benefits package including: TIAA-CREF; medical and dental insurance; life, disability, and long-term care insurance available; tuition remission; 13 paid holidays; and 22 days annual vacation. Additional employment benefits available include credit union; Employee Assistance Program; bookstore, and sporting event discounts; optional fee-based membership in a state-of-the-art wellness center, and no state or local income taxes. More information on benefits can be found at: https://umshare.miami.edu/web/wda/benefits/2015/Summaries/Faculty.pdf
APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applications and nominations will be accepted until a suitable candidate is selected. Applications should be submitted electronically and must include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae and the names of three references.
The references will not be contacted before the appropriate time. Send nominations and applications to:
Human Resources Manager
Otto G. Richter Library
University of Miami
P.O. Box 248214
Coral Gables, FL 33124-0320
e-mail: richter.recruiting@miami.edu
The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer. The University has a strong commitment to diversity and encourages applications from candidates of diverse cultural backgrounds.