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The Rijksmuseum invites applications for a junior conservator to join the Conservation & Science department. You will help care for the textile and dress collection, carry out conservation tasks, prepare objects for exhibitions, and support loan processes.
You will work with a team of conservators and curators, research-related projects, and strengthen ties with vocational schools to exchange knowledge.
The Rijksmuseum is the largest museum in the Netherlands. Its collection consists of 1.1 million (art) objects from and about the Netherlands, dating from the Middle Ages through the 20th century. The museum welcomes more than two million visitors annually.For a period of two years, we are offering an enthusiastic, recent graduate in textile conservation the opportunity to further develop their practical and theoretical skills in the dynamic and multifaceted Conservation & Science department at the Rijksmuseum. As a junior conservator, you will temporarily join the objects conservation team and, together with your colleagues, will look after the textile and dress collection.
You will carry out conservation work on the collections and you will also help prepare objects for exhibitions and presentations. You will also advise conservators when granting loans. You will work closely with other conservators, curators, researchers, the registrar's office and the exhibitions department. A specific task will be to intensify the cooperation with vocational training schools (vakopleidingen), resulting in the exchange of knowledge. You will be an integral part of shaping this cooperation by connecting with the relevant schools and finding ways to exchange knowledge.
In brief, the main activities:
The Rijksmuseum belongs to and is for everyone. You will be part of the paper and photo/objects conservation team of the Conservation & Science department. This team consists of the head of the conservation studio, four metals conservators, three textile conservators, three glass & ceramics conservators and four furniture conservators. In addition, conservators and interns work in the studio on a project basis. We keep each other on our toes and help each other. We look forward to seeing you!
We are curious to know who you are and what talent you might bring to our team. With your expertise and experience, you will help ensure that a beautiful collection is preserved for future generations and is visible to the public. You work meticulously and well organised and you communicate clearly. Furthermore, you have:
You will be given the chance to work in and behind the scenes of a leading, internationally oriented museum, together with dedicated specialists. In addition, we offer:
Make it happen right away and apply before November 25, 2026.Applications after this date will not be considered.
Questions? Suzan Meijer (Head of the objects conservation studio) will be happy to answer them via s.meijer@rijksmuseum.nl
Do you have any questions about the recruitment process? Puck Bastiaansen (Recruitment Business Partner) will be happy to help via recruitment@rijksmuseum.nl .
Please note: If we receive a sufficient number of applications, we may close the vacancy before the stated closing date. Unfortunately, applications received after the vacancy has closed will not be considered.
We only consider applications submitted through the Rijksmuseum website. Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications sent by email.
I have previously worked at the Rijksmuseum