Paper and Photographic Conservator

Royal Collection Trust; Windsor; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days leave

Pension plan (non-contributory)

On-site lunch

Parental pay & leave

Volunteer days

Shops discount

Admission tickets

Job summary

The Royal Collection Trust is seeking a Paper Conservator to preserve and care for drawings, prints, photographs, and related works. You will manage conservation projects, assess conditions for display and loan, and maintain meticulous records across paper-based holdings.

Ideal candidate will have a degree in paper conservation or equivalent experience, excellent manual dexterity, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a historic environment. Some travel may be required.

Qualifications

• A degree in paper conservation (or equivalent professional experience).
• Proven experience managing conservation projects including treatment of framed, loose and bound works on paper and conservation of photographic material.
• Excellent manual dexterity and ability to deliver conservation projects within deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Conserve works on paper including drawings, prints, photographs, watercolours, and other Royal Collection objects.
• Assess, document and report on the condition of objects required for display, exhibition and loan.
• Maintain accurate written, photographic and digital conservation records.
• Provide recommendations on storage, handling, mounting, framing and display of works on paper and photographs.
• Ensure conservation materials, equipment, studios and stores are maintained to a high standard.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Royal Collection Trust and represent the organisation through professional and public engagement activities where required.
• A full UK driving licence for travel between Royal Residences.

Skills

Manual dexterity

Teamwork

Communication

Independent work

Decision making

Education

Degree in paper conservation or equivalent experience

Tools

Databases

Spreadsheets

Image processing software

Conservation tools

Job description

It’s preserving some of the world’s most magnificent works on paper and photographic collections.

It’s developing your skills, and it’s ensuring that an extraordinary collection remains accessible for future generations. That’s what makes working for the Royal Collection Trust so special.

The Royal Collection contains internationally important holdings of prints, drawings and photographs, including one of the world's great collections of old master drawings. The Paper Conservation team is responsible for the conservation, preservation and care of these remarkable collections, supporting their display, storage, study and loan.

Immersing yourself in this fascinating collection, you'll undertake conservation treatments, assess object condition and contribute to preservation projects, helping to ensure the highest standards of care for works of international significance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conserve works on paper including drawings, prints, photographs, watercolours, and other Royal Collection objects.
• Assess, document and report on the condition of objects required for display, exhibition and loan.
• Maintain accurate written, photographic and digital conservation records.
• Provide recommendations on storage, handling, mounting, framing and display of works on paper and photographs.
• Ensure conservation materials, equipment, studios and stores are maintained to a high standard.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Royal Collection Trust and represent the organisation through professional and public engagement activities where required.
• A degree in paper conservation (or equivalent professional experience), with proven experience managing conservation projects including treatment of framed, loose and bound works on paper and conservation of photographic material.
• An understanding and knowledge of paper conservation theory, ethics, materials, conservation science, and health and safety requirement together with knowledge of preventive conservation principles and practice.
• Knowledge of historical and contemporary mounting and framing methods for works on paper, including photographs, as well as housing and storage solutions.
• Excellent manual dexterity and competence in the use of conservation tools and equipment.
• Highly organised, with the ability to deliver conservation projects within deadlines, work independently and make informed decisions.
• Good communication and teamwork skills, able to collaborate well with colleagues and experts to achieve results.
• Good IT skills, including experience using databases, spreadsheets and image-processing software.
• Experience conserving works within a historic environment.
• Full UK driving license for potential travel between Royal Residences.

We know that to deliver our best work, we need to feel at our best. That’s why at the Royal Household we offer a generous benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and life priorities.

• Enjoy 25 days annual leave, (pro rata, plus bank holidays)
• Our excellent non-contributory pension plan is highly valued by our employees, as is complimentary lunch on-site.
• We also offer a range of leave options to support your life priorities, such as parental pay and leave and volunteering days, as well as benefits to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
• Other perks include 20% off at our Royal Collection Trust Shops and complimentary admission tickets across all our locations, along with many more exclusive employee discounts.

Find out more about the full range of benefits available to our employees here.