Assistant Conservator – ANMM

Council of Australasian Museum Directors; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Australian National Maritime Museum is seeking an Assistant Conservator to join the Conservation team. You will help ensure the stories of every object in the National Maritime Collection can be shared for generations to come.

Working alongside experienced conservators and museum professionals, you will contribute to the care, preservation and accessibility of nationally significant collection material.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of contemporary conservation principles, practices and professional standards.
• Experience in preventive conservation, collection care and conservation treatments.
• Sound judgement and the ability to identify and respond to collection risks.
• Strong organisational skills, accuracy and attention to detail.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Completed tertiary qualifications in Materials Conservation or related discipline, or equivalent training and experience.
• Current membership of the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Materials.

Responsibilities

• Undertake preventive conservation, collection care and practical treatment activities.
• Monitor collection environments and identify risks to collection material.
• Prepare condition reports, treatment records and photographic documentation.
• Contribute to conservation projects, exhibitions, loans and gallery maintenance.
• Assist with conservation assessments, research and treatment planning.
• Work collaboratively across the Museum to support collection preservation and access.

Skills

Preventive conservation

Collection care

Conservation treatments

Documentation

Attention to detail

Education

Materials Conservation degree

AICCM membership

Job description

The Australian National Maritime Museum is seeking an Assistant Conservator to join the Conservation team. You will help ensure the stories of every object in the National Maritime Collection can be shared for generations to come.

Working alongside experienced conservators and museum professionals, you will contribute to the care, preservation and accessibility of nationally significant collection material. From preventive conservation and practical treatments to exhibitions and loans, you will play a hands‑on role in protecting Australia’s maritime heritage.

What you will do

In this role, you will:

Undertake preventive conservation, collection care and practical treatment activities

Monitor collection environments and identify risks to collection material

Prepare condition reports, treatment records and photographic documentation

Contribute to conservation projects, exhibitions, loans and gallery maintenance

Assist with conservation assessments, research and treatment planning

Work collaboratively across the Museum to support collection preservation and access

What you will bring

You are passionate about cultural heritage conservation and enjoy practical, hands‑on work. You bring:

Knowledge of contemporary conservation principles, practices and professional standards

Experience in preventive conservation, collection care and conservation treatments

Sound judgement and the ability to identify and respond to collection risks

Strong organisational skills, accuracy and attention to detail

The ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines

To be eligible, you must have:

Completed tertiary qualifications in Materials Conservation, Cultural Heritage Conservation or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of relevant qualifications, training and experience

Current membership of the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Materials

THIS IS OPPORTUNITY TO:

Work with nationally significant collection material

Contribute to exhibitions, loans and conservation projects

Join a collaborative team committed to high‑quality collection care

Help preserve and share Australia’s maritime stories

WHAT WE DO

The Australian National Maritime Museum is Australia’s national centre for maritime collections, exhibitions, research and archaeology. As Sydney’s most visible national cultural institution, we are committed to connecting audiences right across Australia in both urban and regional areas.

From our base, the museum presents a changing program of stimulating exhibitions and events to share Australia’s maritime history and connect the stories, objects, people and places that are part of our country’s narrative. We welcome over 520,000 visitors annually including families and interstate and international tourists. Over 10,000 members support the museum and regularly interact with special events and activities designed to connect our audiences in meaningful and thought‑provoking ways.

From our base, the museum presents a changing program of stimulating exhibitions and events to share Australia’s maritime history and connect the stories, objects, people and places that are part of our country’s narrative. We welcome over 520,000 visitors annually including families and interstate and international tourists. Over 10,000 members support the museum and regularly interact with special events and activities designed to connect our audiences in meaningful and thought‑provoking ways.