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  February 14, 2022 Cambridge, USA
Assistant Conservator, Jobs No deadline

Associate Photograph Conservator

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08-Feb-2022
Associate Photograph Conservator
Harvard Art Museums
57150BR

Job-Specific Responsibilities
Reports to the Head of Paper Lab, under the Director, Straus Center for Conservation. The Associate Photograph Conservator demonstrates achievement and expertise in conservation treatments, research, and publications relating to the preservation of objects, artists’ materials, and techniques, and produces scholarly work demonstrating originality and conservation expertise. The Associate Conservator serves as the point person for the care, display, and treatment of photographs and as the cool and cold storage point person for the Straus Center. Advises on all new photographic acquisitions for proper storage conditions. The Associate Conservator is responsible for practicing and developing these areas in support of the Museums’ mission.

Collections

  • Performs condition reports, surveys, examinations, and treatments for photographs, negatives, and paper-based objects for the Harvard Art Museums. Priorities are determined by exhibitions, loans, and acquisitions.
  • Sets policy regarding light exposure and monitoring of color change for photographic materials
  • Prepares accompanying written and photographic documentation, estimates, correspondence, and condition reports for exhibitions, loans, and acquisitions.
  • Manages and executes preventive care for photographs and works on paper, including advising on and researching housing, handling, storage, exhibition, and environmental needs.
  • Advises on loan requests for photographs.
    Supports and advises Art Study Centers’ visits and classes as needed.
  • Consults curators for treatment planning and decision making.
  • Participates in collections emergency planning and response.
  • Accompanies works of art as a courier.

Administrative

  • Participates in planning and preparing budgets for lab activities, exhibitions, and special projects.
  • Manages exhibitions and special projects activities related to conservation.
  • Collaborates with and maintains good working relations with conservation scientists, conservators, curators, and other museum staff.
  • Participates in selection, supervision, and instruction of conservation fellow.
  • Directs and instructs casual employees, contractors, or students as appropriate.
  • Maintains lab and photo studio, including supplies, records, instructions, and equipment.
  • Practices and promotes the Guidelines for Practice and Code of Ethics as established by the AIC
  • In the absence of the Head of Paper Lab and in collaboration with Assistant/Associate Paper Conservator, supervises conservation technicians and Paper Lab Fellow.

Teaching

  • Mentors Fellows in conservation, examination, and documentation techniques and creative problem-solving.
  • Teaches photograph and paper conservation topics for university courses and programs on artists’ materials and techniques, and the technical examination of art.
  • Advises and trains museum staff in the best practices for the care, handling, display, storage, and packing and shipping of works on paper with a special focus on the challenges of photographic materials.

Research

  • Stays current with professional philosophies, procedures, and practices in the conservation field through membership in professional organizations, publications, and attendance at meetings, workshops, and seminars.
  • Initiates and collaborates on interdisciplinary technical research relevant to the museum collection and projects.
  • Publishes or presents findings at national and international publications and conferences, ideally on a semi-annual basis.

 

Institutional

  • Works with and provides content for Communications, the
  • Division of Academic and Public Programs, Curatorial, and Institutional Advancement, and other departments as needed.
  • Presents public gallery talks and participates in programming as requested.
  • Supports Collections Management’s operation of Art Study Centers and Curricular Galleries.
  • Leads or participates in tours for various interest groups.

Basic Qualifications

  • Candidates MUST meet the following basic qualifications in order to be considered for this role:
  • Bachelor’s degree; MA, MS, or Certificate in Conservation from a recognized university program, or equivalent training
  • A minimum of 5 years of the museum or other professional experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

  • Abides by and promotes the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the American Institute of Conservation of Artistic and Historic Works.
  • Demonstrated achievements in conservation examination, treatments, independent research, and publications relating to the preservation of photographs, artists’ materials, and techniques and requires some familiarity with works of art on paper from a broad range of cultures and time periods including American, Asian, European, Islamic, modern, and contemporary art.
  • Scholarly works or research papers demonstrating originality and conservation expertise.
  • Broad understanding of modern conservation practices, theory, and ethics, and their integration with the historical study of photographs. Proficiency in laboratory methods and familiarity with analytical instrumentation.
  • Demonstrated experience with technical study of photographs.
  • Demonstrated experience with state-of-the-art imaging tools used for conservation documentation including digital photography, infrared reflectography, beta radiography, UV examination, and reflectance transformation imaging.
  • Excellent computer skills, including image editing and management; high level of proficiency using Adobe Photoshop, and other imaging software.
  • Excellent communication, writing, interpersonal, project management.

Physical Requirements
Manual dexterity in conservation treatments and object handling is required.

Additional Information
This position works at the Museums’ two sites in Cambridge and Somerville to carry out all duties and responsibilities.

PLEASE NOTE: During the current period of Covid-19 related restrictions, this position may start as a hybrid position, with the transition to onsite in Cambridge and Somerville when the office fully reopens.

We continue to monitor the evolving COVID-19 and the lifting of restrictions. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility with our interview process. We will be conducting interviews virtually for selected candidates until further notice.

The University requires all Harvard community members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccine boosters, as detailed in Harvard’s Vaccine & Booster Requirements Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/. 

Job FunctionMuseum
Location
USA – MA – Cambridge
Job Code388057 Museum Professional
Sub-Unit
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