Assistant Conservator - Anmm

Council Of Australasian Museum Directors; Sydney; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney is seeking an Assistant Conservator to join the Conservation team. You will contribute to the care, preservation and access to nationally significant collection material.

You will work alongside experienced conservators on preventive conservation, treatments, exhibitions and loans, helping protect Australia's maritime heritage through hands-on practice. The role requires tertiary qualifications in Materials Conservation and membership of the

Qualifications

• Knowledge of contemporary conservation principles, practices and 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.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.

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

Conservation principles

Preventive conservation

Collection care

Documentation

Prioritisation & planning

Education

Tertiary qualifications in Materials Conservation

Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Materials membership

Job description

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

• 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.