Associate Conservator of Objects and Sculpture

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About the Role

The Harvard Art Museums — the Fogg Museum, Busch-Reisinger Museum, and Arthur M. Sackler Museum — have been dedicated to advancing and supporting learning at Harvard University, in the local community, and around the world. The collections, displayed in galleries that mix media and schools of art, are among the largest in the United States. Through research, teaching, professional training, and public education, the museums strive to advance the understanding and appreciation of art.

The Associate Conservator of Objects and Sculpture reports to the Assistant Director and Head of Objects Lab, Straus Center for Conservation, and serves as an integral part of the collaborative Objects Lab team. This role demonstrates expertise and initiative in conservation treatments, preventive care, research, and publications related to the preservation of three-dimensional objects, artist materials, and techniques.

Responsibilities

• Collections:
  • Performs condition reports, surveys, examinations, and treatments for three-dimensional objects for the Harvard Art Museums, University Loans, and occasional outside clients. Collections span a broad range of cultures and time periods from ancient to contemporary.
  • Prepares written and photographic documentation, estimates, correspondence, and condition reports for exhibitions, loans, and acquisitions.
  • Serves as lab point person for exhibitions, loans, and projects as assigned.
  • Performs preventive care for objects, including dusting, integrated pest management, housing, microclimate maintenance, and monitoring.
  • Reviews and makes recommendations for loans out and accompanies works of art as courier when needed.
  • Participates in collections emergency planning and response.
  • Follows health and safety training programs and complies with University guidelines, including the safe use of controlled or hazardous substances.
• Administrative:
  • Participates in planning and preparing budgets for lab activities, exhibitions, and special projects.
  • Collaborates with and maintains good working relations with conservation scientists, conservators, curators, and other museum staff.
  • Participates in the selection, supervision, and instruction of a conservation fellow.
  • Assists in the maintenance of the lab and photo studio, including supplies, records, and equipment.
  • May serve as lab point person for health and safety issues.
  • Practices and promotes the Guidelines for Practice and Code of Ethics as established by the American Institute of Conservation (AIC).
• Teaching:
  • Mentors and instructs casual employees, fellows, or students as appropriate.
  • Participates in teaching, including undergraduate and graduate courses on artists’ materials and techniques, and the technical examination of art.
  • Advises and trains museum staff in best practices for the care, handling, display, storage, and packing and shipping of objects.
• Research:
  • Stays current with professional philosophies, procedures, and practices in the conservation field through participation in professional organizations, publications, and attendance at meetings, workshops, and seminars.
  • Initiates and collaborates on interdisciplinary technical research relevant to museum collections and projects.
  • Publishes or presents findings in national and international publications and conferences.
• Institutional:
  • Works with and provides content for Communications, the Division of Academic and Public Programs, Curatorial, and Institutional Advancement, and other departments as needed.
  • Builds positive and productive working relationships with art museums, university, and external colleagues.
  • Presents public gallery talks and participates in programming as requested.
  • Supports Collections Management’s operation of Art Study Centers and Curricular Galleries.
  • Leads and participates in tours for various interest groups.

Working Conditions

• Work is conducted in a conservation lab setting.
• Manual dexterity in conservation treatments and object handling is required.
• Ability to move through a multi-story museum building.
• Local travel to other Harvard University sites.
• Possible domestic or international travel.

Requirements

• MA, MS, or Certificate in Conservation from a recognized university program or equivalent training.
• Minimum of five years’ museum or other professional experience with demonstrated achievements in conservation examination, treatments, collaborative research, and publications relating to the preservation of and study of three-dimensional objects in a wide range of media.

Skills

• Scholarly work or research papers demonstrating originality and conservation expertise, published or presented in professional forums.
• Broad understanding of modern conservation practices, theory, and ethics.
• Proficiency in laboratory methods and safety.
• Demonstrated experience with project management of large and small-scale projects.
• Demonstrated experience with technical study of 3D objects and familiarity with analytical techniques such as X-radiography, XRF, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, SEM-EDS, and GC-MS.
• Demonstrated experience with state-of-the-art imaging tools used for conservation documentation and imaging, including digital photography, multi-band imaging, and reflectance transformation imaging.
• High level of proficiency with computer skills, including image editing and management.
• Excellent communication, writing, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Precise attention to detail and manual dexterity.

Schedule

35 hours per week.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one.
• Retirement plans with university contributions.
• Wellbeing and mental health resources.
• Support for families and caregivers.
• Professional development opportunities, including tuition assistance and reimbursement.
• Commuter benefits, discounts, and campus perks.