Assistant Conservator of Textiles and Costumes

About the Role

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) seeks a Conservator of Textiles and Costume to join the Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation Center for Conservation. This full-time position operates in a collaborative, cross-disciplinary environment where conservation is integrated into broader museum practices, with an emphasis on preserving and expanding understanding of 5,000 years of global visual art. The Textile and Costume Conservation lab is one of the newest additions to the MFAH’s conservation department, and the collection is rapidly expanding across time periods and global communities.

Responsibilities

• Examine, document, and treat textiles and costume in accordance with the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice.
• Develop and execute treatment plans for works ranging from historical to contemporary materials.
• Produce thorough documentation, including technical analysis, material descriptions, and exhibition and handling recommendations.
• Provide condition assessments for acquisitions and loans, advising on long-term preservation strategies.
• Contribute to preventive conservation planning, storage design, and exhibition preparation.
• Collaborate closely with Conservation Science to pursue analytical research that clarifies fabrication methods, material behavior, and deterioration mechanisms.
• Participate in collection-based research and contribute to the field through publications, lectures, and conference presentations.
• Mentor interns, fellows, and emerging professionals, supporting a culture of shared knowledge and professional growth.
• Engage in public-facing initiatives, including gallery talks and educational programming, to advance understanding of conservation practice.
• Contribute to departmental planning, emergency preparedness, and strategic institutional initiatives.

What We Value

• Advanced knowledge of textiles and fabrication and construction techniques across historical and contemporary practice.
• Comprehensive treatment experience and sound judgment in complex decision-making.
• Ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary museum teams while maintaining independence and accountability.
• Recognition of the ethical and cultural dimensions of conservation, including the evolving role of museums in serving diverse publics.
• Clear and respectful communication, contributing to a professional environment grounded in trust, transparency, and shared responsibility.
• Commitment to ongoing learning, reflection, and engagement with current discourse in the field.
• Collegiality and thoughtfulness in a workplace where trust and support are core to personal growth and institutional advancement.

Requirements

• Graduate degree in Conservation from a recognized program, or equivalent education and professional training.
• Minimum two (assistant), five (associate), or ten years (full) of post-graduate experience in textile conservation.
• Comprehensive knowledge of museum standards, collections care protocols, and ethical guidelines.
• Demonstrated record of professional achievement, including significant treatment projects and scholarly contributions.
• Experience with both flat textile and costume conservation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills; proficiency with museum databases, imaging systems, and standard software.
• Ability to manage a complex workload and meet institutional deadlines.
• Legal eligibility to work in the United States preferred.

For appointment at the Full Conservator level, candidates should demonstrate sustained professional commitment, an established record of scholarship, and experience guiding complex projects or mentoring colleagues.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

• Work will primarily be performed in an office environment, involving extended sitting and extensive computer use.
• Must undergo and meet company standards for background and reference checks.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently.
• Frequent sitting, which may be required for extended periods of time.
• Good vision or corrected vision for reading and viewing abilities.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally (in tandem/with assistance).
• Manual dexterity required for the handling of delicate materials and tools.
• Activities may include standing, sitting, bending, kneeling, and climbing.
• Use of appropriate PPE for chemical or analytical processes.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employee and dependents, effective the first of the month following employment.
• Life Insurance & AD&D: Employee coverage at no cost.
• Long Term Disability: Employee coverage at no cost.
• Paid Time Off: Accrued biweekly for vacation, illness, and personal reasons.
• Reserve Time Off: Up to 6 days per year for extended illnesses, up to a maximum of 120 days.
• Eleven paid holidays per year for full-time employees.
• Volunteer Time Off: Up to 40 hours of paid time off annually for community service.
• Retirement Savings Plan: Eligible staff may receive up to a 5% matching contribution from MFAH after one year of service (with recognition of prior nonprofit service for accelerated employer match).
• Roth IRA available.
• MFAH Membership: Free Family-level membership.
• Discounts on purchases at the Museum shop, on-campus eateries, and courses at the Glassell School of Art.
• Metro commuter subsidy available upon request.
• Relocation support through a stipend to help cover moving expenses for candidates outside the area.

Pay

• Assistant Textiles Conservator: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00
• Associate Textiles Conservator: $65,000.00 - $80,000.00
• Textiles Conservator: $72,000.00 - $90,000.00

About the Conservation Environment at MFAH

The Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation Center for Conservation is home to a team of 21 conservation professionals specializing in paintings, works on paper, photographic materials, sculpture and objects, textiles, time-based media art, and conservation science, supported by imaging specialists, technicians, fellows, and interns. The team cares for an encyclopedic collection of nearly 80,000 objects spanning 5,000 years. The conservation environment prioritizes interdisciplinary collaboration, material research, and responsible stewardship, with a focus on mentorship, open dialogue, and equitable professional development. The Center is one of the most diverse conservation laboratories in the United States, recognizing that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthens practice and enriches public engagement.