Assistant Conservator for East Asian Works of Art on Paper
About The Position
The Philadelphia Museum of Art seeks to hire an Assistant Conservator for East Asian Works of Art on Paper for a two-year term. Working closely with the museum’s Senior Conservator of Works of Art on Paper in our state-of-the art paper conservation laboratory, the Assistant Conservator will study the scope and materiality of the museum’s Asian Art works on paper, evaluate strategies for conserving works in specific media, and perform conservation examinations and treatments. This growing and important collection comprises 9,400 objects of which 1,000 are East Asian hanging scrolls, handscrolls, album leaves, and folding screens and 6,100 Chinese and Japanese woodblock prints. The Assistant Conservator will serve as an integral member of the museum’s conservation staff and participate in activities relating to exhibitions, installations, loans, preventive care of the permanent collections, and professional and public engagement, gaining a broad range of knowledge, skills, and techniques to launch their career in this specialized field.
Requirements
- Academic credentials from a recognized conservation training program and a minimum of 2 years specialized experience beyond the degree in the study, care, and treatment of works of art on paper.
- Proven ability to plan and execute a variety of complex conservation treatments
- Preliminary experience and training in the conservation of Asian works of art on paper (e.g., internships, fellowships, intensive trainings, etc.)
- Experience/interest in microfadometry analysis of works of art on paper
- Demonstrated visual, manual, and scholarly aptitudes.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Familiarity with Asian art, languages, and cultures
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
Responsibilities
- Examine, conduct research, and perform conservation treatment on a broad range of Asian works of art on paper
- Coordinate and assist consulting Asian Conservation specialists as they are contracted for treatment or remounting projects
- Assess the condition of works requested for loan or being considered for acquisition, and document the condition of incoming or outgoing loans
- Participate and support preventative conservation initiatives for the care of Asian art on paper in the galleries and in storage
- Advise on housing, installation, storage, handling, packing, and transport of works of art
- Collaborate with conservation scientists in chemical and instrumental analysis and characterization of materials of works of art
- Conduct microfadometry analysis of light sensitive works of art using a Fotonowy Automated Fadeometer
- Serve as a liaison with conservation studios and material researchers in Asia on matters pertaining to the conservation of the museum’s collection
- Work with Asian Art curatorial staff and consulting specialists to identify and plan, and prioritize Asian Art preservation projects
- Represent the museum’s Conservation Division in a range of institutional initiatives and functions, as well as in professional and public engagement
Benefits
- Free general admission to the museum for you and your immediate family
- Discounted guest tickets for admission
- Discounts on gift memberships
- Special staff tours and presentations from our curatorial and conservation teams
- Discounts at the museum restaurant, museum cafés, and museum retail and online stores
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Fully paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance
- Health savings or flexible spending account program
- Retirement savings program with museum match
- Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
