The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) will soon be posting two Project Assistant Conservator positions in Objects Conservation and Paintings Conservation within the Susan and David Goode Center for Advanced Study in Art Conservation.
These are two-year temporary positions with possible renewal or extension depending upon funding availability. The Goode Center is a vibrant research, treatment, and training center dedicated to advancing the field of conservation, art history, and science through joint study with conservators, curators, scholars, and scientists. Opened in 2010, the Goode Center is one of the largest conservation facilities in the southeast and is outfitted with advanced analytical and examination capabilities including hyperspectral and infrared imaging, scanning and portable x-ray fluorescence, FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopy, microfade testing, and computed x-radiography.
Position Description: Working collaboratively with other departments in conservation and across the museum, the Project Assistant Conservators will conduct activities for the examination, documentation, treatment, display, technical analysis, and conservation research of the permanent collection (paintings or objects) for the museum’s upcoming expansion and traveling exhibitions. The Project Assistant Conservators will employ the highest conservation standards and ethics in order to preserve the integrity as well as the aesthetic and historic significance of each work while meeting the programmatic needs of the museum. They will work in collaboration with other conservation specialists as needed and advise on maintenance and preventive care of the collection including environmental control, storage, handling, and requirements for exhibition. The Project Assistant Conservators will also have public engagement and educational responsibilities such as leading laboratory tours, speaking to visiting groups, responding to public inquiries, presenting conservation projects and activities to museum visitors, and supervising interns.
Minimum Qualifications: Minimum of 1 year of postgraduate experience in addition to a graduate level degree in art conservation specializing in paintings or objects from a recognized conservation training program, or the equivalent combination of experience, training, and education. The successful candidate will also have:
● Knowledge of currently acceptable conservation methods for treatment of a wide variety of paintings.
● Knowledge of art history and historic methods of fabrication for a wide range of paintings/objects within their specialty.
● Demonstrated ability to perform historic and materials research.
● Demonstrated ability to perform condition assessments, develop conservation treatment proposals, and execute treatments to a high degree of competency and efficiency.
● Demonstrated ability to convey information in a clear, succinct, and accurate manner.
● Demonstrated ability to perform analytical and examination techniques frequently used in conservation and experience in interpreting test results.
● Demonstrated ability to work well both independently and in concert with others, and to be professional, diplomatic, and discreet.
● Experience with common computer software programs.
● Knowledge of safe methods for handling chemicals and hazardous materials based on OSHA standards.
● Ability to wear a respirator.
Additional information including hiring range and application instructions will be posted soon through the AIC community and on the Commonwealth of Virginia job website, https://www.vmfa.museum/about/jobs/. To apply, please be prepared to submit a CV and Letter of Interest.
