Month: December 2014

MELLON POSTGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP IN COSTUME AND TEXTILE CONSERVATION – PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is offering an Andrew W. Mellon Postgraduate Fellowship in Costume and Textiles Conservation, beginning September 1, 2015 and ending August 31, 2016. The Fellowship may be extended up to three years. The applicant should be a graduate of a recognized conservation training program or have equivalent experience. The Fellow will examine, conduct research, and perform treatment on costumes, accessories and textiles in the Museum collections and will participate in preservation activities throughout the Museum, including exhibitions and storage.
The Fellowship will include the conservation of European and American costume and needlework as well as the museum’s extensive collections of South Asian and East Asian textiles, contemporary fiber, craft, traditional tapestry, and carpets.  The Fellow will work with the two staff conservators in the state-of-the art laboratory.
Each fellowship includes a 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 four examples of examination reports 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 by the referee to:
Sara Reiter, Senior Conservator of Costume and Textiles,
Philadelphia Museum of Art,
P.O. Box 7646,
Philadelphia, PA  19101-7646.
sreiter@philamuseum.org
All application materials must be received by February 15, 2015. EOE Receipt of application will be confirmed by e-mail.
Chris Wasson
Conservation Administrator
Philadelphia Museum of Art
215-684-7542
cwasson [at] philamuseum_org

Conservator for Special Collections
The Conservator for Special Collections plans and carries out the physical treatment of special collections material from the Duke University Libraries including those from the Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Duke University Archives, and branch libraries. This position reports to the Head, Conservation Services Department (CSD).
Responsibilities
Conservation (80%)

• Works with the department head and appropriate conservation and library staff to develop treatment strategies for special collections materials. Coordinates treatments and priorities with the Head of CSD.
• Performs appropriate conservation treatments on library materials held in the Libraries’ rare and special collections in support of various workflows including those for Rubenstein Library User Services and Technical Services, the Digital Production Center, and the Exhibits Program. Scope of work includes treating primarily bound and unbound books, manuscripts and other documents on paper and vellum. Depending on the conservator’s expertise the scope may also include treating photographs, papyri, and other formats and substrates found in the collections. Documents treatments with photographs and written reports following CSD and American Institute for Conservation (AIC) guidelines and best practices.
• Identifies items for which protective enclosures will be the most effective preservation option; constructs appropriate protective enclosures or delegates the construction of enclosures to other staff, students or volunteers.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Departmental Support and Programming Initiatives (10%)

• Participates in planning and setting goals, managing projects and developing workflows in support of CSD priorities.
• Assists in providing disaster recovery services for library materials.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Professional Development (10%)

• Actively participates on appropriate Library committees, task forces or groups to meet the strategic goals of the Department and the Duke University Libraries.
• Displays continuing growth in professional and subject knowledge and takes an active interest in the profession. Growth and interest should be demonstrated through continuing development of professional knowledge and abilities, membership and participation in professional organizations, and service to the library, University, or community in a professional capacity.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provides training, supervision and quality control for students, staff and volunteers in coordination with the department head and/or senior conservator.
• May serve as interim supervisor in the absence of the department head and senior conservator.

Qualifications
It is the expectation that all Duke University Libraries staff members will demonstrate exceptional workplace behaviors in the execution of their specific position responsibilities. These behaviors are customer focus, collaboration, creative problem solving, continuous learning and a commitment to diversity.
Education:
Required: ALA-accredited MLS or Master’s degree in conservation of library and archival materials, or demonstration of a similar level of education and training required for the conservation of rare materials.
Preferred: Demonstrated record of continued education in areas relevant to this position.
Experience:
Required:

• Minimum of three years of demonstrated experience in conservation of special collections and knowledge of current conservation principles, practices, and procedures.
• Exceptional manual skills and a full understanding of current conservation theory, principles, practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of physical and chemical mechanisms of deterioration of library materials.
• Knowledge of conservation ethics and practices relevant to research library materials; commitment to AIC standards of practice and Code of Ethics.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and productively in a changing environment.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and oral and written communication skills.

 Preferred:

• Prior experience working in an academic research library or archives.
• Prior experience supervising conservation technicians and students.
• Expertise in the treatment of photographic materials; works on art on paper, vellum and parchment; or similar cultural heritage materials generally found in academic libraries and university archives.
• Experience evaluating and treating materials to prepare them for digital imaging and/or exhibitions.
• Experience in exhibitions including preparation, installation, materials testing and environmental monitoring.
• Teaching experience.

For a complete job description including directions for applying, please see:
 
http://library.duke.edu/about/jobs/conservator

MARINE ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONSERVATOR
Position Summary:
This position is a UK based independent contractor role to document and conserve both organic and inorganic artefacts recovered from a marine archaeological environment for storage, research and exhibition. Artefacts recovered will cover a broad range of material including large bronze cannon. The successful candidate will work under and report to the Project Conservator.
The successful candidate will follow up on conservation treatments and apply policies and industry standards.
The position offers an opportunity to engage in high-status material culture conservation from excavation to storage or display. Interventive conservation documentation may lead to publication
Duties and Responsibilities:

• Liaises closely with and follows conservation strategy laid out by the Project Conservator.
• Maintains and manages laboratory equipment, tools and supplies, including handling hazardous substances.
• Applies conservation methods to stabilise artefacts.
• Conducts condition assessments.
• Records results in digital form.
• Carries out and facilitates conservation duties that include integrated environmental monitoring.
• Coordinates and liaises with stakeholders for appropriate treatment for artefacts.
• Documents artefact condition and treatments before and during conservation.
• Conducts research and analyses where necessary.
• Collaborates with other conservation professionals of relevant expertise, where necessary.
• Provides support in outreach programmes and supports tour visits.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Confident self-starter capable of working both as part of a multi-disciplinary team and independently.
• Good common sense based on past experience to identify problems and solutions.
• Ability to put forward own ideas confidently.
• Shares results and information with various stakeholders.

Strong organisational skills highlighted by the following attributes: client focused, efficient and capable of working under pressure to deadlines, proactive, excellent multi-tasking capabilities and communication skills, strong priority and time management skills, ability to respond to special projects on a short notice.
Education:

• Relevant degree of MA level or comparable experience in archaeological or marine archaeological conservation.
• Proven experience in internships and apprenticeships in museums/conservation.
• Industry standard qualifications

Location: United Kingdom
Position Type: Contractor, reports to Project Conservator and Director of Research & Scientific Services
Additional Information:  To apply for the position or obtain additional information, send a cover letter along with a resume or Curriculum vitae to:  JohnOppermann@odysseymarine.com.  No telephone calls please.
Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer – Minorities / Women / Veterans / Disabled.

E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation

Conservator for Asian Art

 
Position Summary:
The Newark Museum seeks a full-time conservator for a two-year minimum posting to oversee the conservation of the Museum’s Asian collections, one of the larger and finest collections of Asian art in the United States. The Conservator for Asian Art oversees the safekeeping, proper installation and conservation of all Asian works in the Newark Museum’s permanent collection (approximately 30,000 works). The conservator also assists with processing potential out-going loan requests with regard to their physical condition, potential treatment and recommendations and/or oversight of appropriate packing/crating.
The successful candidate will have at a minimum a Master’s Degree and three years’ experience as a conservator, a record of successful treatments and proven ability as a manager. Working closely with the curatorial, registration and exhibitions department, s/he will have the reputation and skills to build partnerships. The individual will be able to coordinate outside contract conservators where the work required is beyond their own area of expertise. The conservator will report to the Curator for the Arts of Asia and work closely and collaboratively with the registrar, collections manager and exhibitions department as well as with colleagues throughout the Museum and its contractors.
Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design, oversee and implement the appropriate re-housing of selected groups of objects—particularly the Museum’s collections of Asian costumes and textiles and arms and armor (approximately 4,000 objects)
• Assess and where applicable treat or oversee treatment of works identified for exhibition and loans
• Develop and assist implementation of best practices for conservation treatment, presentation and the installation of works of art
• Provide expert opinion about the condition of proposed acquisitions
• Supervise qualified conservation or museum studies interns that will assist and enhance their own work
• Work as a team member with Museum curators, registrar, collections manager, exhibition designer, mount-maker, educators, development and staff

Qualifications:

• M.A. in conservation or equivalent degree preferred
• Three or more years experience working in the field
• Proven record of successful treatments
• Knowledge of materials and ability to advise on collections care and treatment strategies
• Knowledge of Word, Outlook (e-mail), Excel, PowerPoint and basic office software; knowledge about ARGUS database a plus.
• Strong communication, managerial and diplomatic skills

TO APPLY,
SEND CURRICULUM VITAE AND COVER LETTER TO:
Human Resources
Newark Museum
49 Washington Street
Newark, NJ 07102
Fax: 973.642.0459
Email: humanresources@newarkmuseum.org
The Newark Museum is an equal opportunity employer.
Please be advised that only those candidates whose qualifications meet the requirements of the position will be contacted.
 
Closing date: January 16, 2015