Fieldwork Supervisor in Conservation of Wall Paintings

Economics Network; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation provided

Daily stipend during fieldwork

Job summary

The Courtauld Institute of Art invites applications for a fixed-term Wall Paintings Conservator role within the MA Conservation of Wall Paintings team. The position covers six weeks of on-site fieldwork in Peterborough, plus remote and London-based duties, with on-site supervision of final-year students and a salary of £45,088–£51,413 pro rata per annum.

Duration is 3 months (14 December 2026 – 13 March 2027).

Qualifications

• Documentation, diagnostic investigations, treatment trials and interventions during conservation work.
• Ability to supervise and coordinate student work on site and remotely as required.
• Commitment to health and safety standards in a field and teaching environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide close guidance and supervision of students in conservation activities: documentation, diagnostic investigations, treatment trials and interventions.
• Ensure imaging, documentation and student work on site meet agreed standards and health and safety protocols.
• Collaborate with Courtauld staff and site partners to manage fieldwork logistics.
• Contribute to risk assessment, timetable and equipment planning, and to formative and summative assessment.
• Support marketing and fundraising updates and prepare a formal project report for stakeholders.

Job description

About the Courtauld

The Courtauld Institute of Art is the UK’s leading institution for teaching and research in art history and the conservation of paintings; it is also home to one of the finest small art museums in the world.

At the Conservation Department, we run three-year MAs in the conservation of easel paintings (18 students) and wall paintings (6-12 students), and 12-month MAs in Preventive Conservation (12 students) and Buddhist Art History and Conservation (12 students, jointly taught with the History of Art department).

Role Details

Fixed term (3-months) | Full-time | Salary: £45,088 - £51,413 per annum pro rata (Grade 6) | Contract dates: 14th December 2026 – 13th March 2027

We are seeking a passionate wall painting conservator to join our MA in Conservation of Wall Paintings team. The postholder will supervise six third-year postgraduate students in the MA Conservation of Wall Paintings for a six-week on-site fieldwork at Longthorpe Tower, Peterborough from 18th January 2027 Monday to 26th February 2027. You are expected to stay in Peterborough Monday-Friday for the full six-week period. Accommodation and daily stipend for the six-week period will be provided. Other supervision throughout the contract period will be carried out either remotely or held at the Courtauld Institute at the Somerset House, Strand, London.

The postholder is expected to:

• To provide close guidance and supervision of students in the following conservation activities: documentation, diagnostic investigations, treatment trials and interventions.
• To ensure that imaging, documentation and student work on site is completed to agreed standards and in accordance with health and safety protocols;
• To work closely with Courtauld staff and partners at the site;
• To participate in preparations for fieldwork including risk assessment and timetable and equipment planning; the formative and summative assessment of students.
• To support marketing and fundraising activity by supplying relevant updates during the project;
• To prepare a formal report of the project for the Courtauld and stakeholders.

This role is to partially cover the duties of a faculty at the Department who is on sabbatical leave. This role is expected to spend 60% of the time in teaching, 20% in central administrative duties and 20% in scholarship activities.

Online interviews are expected to be held on the morning of Wednesday 11th November.

How to apply

Applicants are required to submit a CV and a one-page supporting statement outlining their knowledge, experience and area of specialism. They must also provide the details of two referees.

The Courtauld is unable to sponsor applicants for this post and you will need to have the appropriate right to work in the UK, for the duration of the fixed term contract, when applying.