Assistant Conservator (Paintings), HCC

NHB National Heritage Board; Singapore; On-site; SGD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Assistant Conservator (Paintings) at the Heritage Conservation Centre, NHB, Singapore, works under senior conservators to manage, conserve, and facilitate access to the National Collection. The role supports preventive conservation, exhibition preparation, documentation, and outreach initiatives.

Based at NHB’s central facilities (32 Jurong Port Road, Singapore). A 2-year contract is offered; candidates should have a conservation-related background and a strong understanding of chemistry and

Qualifications

• Foundational understanding of chemistry and art and heritage science.
• O level Chemistry or equivalent; A level or higher preferred.
• High manual dexterity and aesthetic sensitivity.
• Strong verbal and written communication with attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a multicultural, multi-lingual environment.

Responsibilities

• Carry out conservation work for paintings, including condition assessment, documentation, photography, and interventive treatments under supervision.
• Assist planning exhibition and gallery revamp, coordinating scheduling and liaising with stakeholders.
• Maintain records on the collection management system (digital and photographic).
• Support preventive conservation activities and storage improvements.
• Assist with conservation studies, outreach activities, and professional development of the section.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Attention to detail

Organisational abilities

Education

Conservation or related discipline

Job description

[What the role is]

The Heritage Conservation Centre (HCC) is an institution of the National Heritage Board (NHB) and supports the collecting and display activities of more than ten museums and heritage institutions across NHB. HCC's main mission is to care for the National Collection, facilitate its current and future access and promote its use while enhancing its cultural significance. HCC is located in a purpose-built facility that serves as the centralised storage and conservation labs for the National Collection of Singapore. The National Collection encompasses a wide range of art and heritage objects, including but not limited to decorative objects, social history objects, contemporary art installations, industrial and technical heritage objects.
Currently, the Conservation department at HCC comprises 6 conservation specialisations organised in sections: Inorganic Objects, Organic Objects, Paintings, Paper, Textiles, and Conservation Science. HCC is now recruiting an Assistant Conservator to join the Paintings conservation section.

Job Purpose

The Assistant Conservator (Paintings) is a member of the Paintings Conservation section within the Conservation department. Working under the supervision of senior conservators, the role supports the organisation’s mission to manage, care for and facilitate access to the National Collection through interventive conservation work, exhibition support, contributing to long-term preservation strategy, preventive conservation, and outreach initiatives.

[What you will be working on]

Collection care

• Carry out conservation work for canvas and panel paintings in the National Collection, including condition assessment and documentation, photography, interventive treatments, and framing and mountings under the supervision of the Paintings Conservator.

• Assist the Paintings project lead in planning and coordinating exhibition and gallery revamp preparations, including conservation-related and administrative tasks such as scheduling and liaison with internal and external stakeholders.

• Maintain written, digital and photographic records on the organisation’s collections management system.

• Support preventive conservation activities such as environmental monitoring, pest management, display mounting, handling and storage improvements.

Research, Advocacy, and Professional development

• Assist with conservation studies or research projects that will contribute to the long-term knowledge building for the National Collections, including the documentation of findings and preparation of reports or publications where relevant.

• Participate in HCC’s outreach initiatives, such as public programmes, talks, or educational activities that advocate for heritage conservation.

• Keep abreast of developments in paintings conservation practice and contributing to the professional development of the section.

General support

• Assist with administrative duties or institutional projects, as assigned.

The above job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities or qualifications associated with the job. Other duties may be assigned.

[What we are looking for]

• Background in Conservation, or a related discipline such as Science, Fine Arts and Humanities, or Design is required. Candidates with equivalent professional experience will also be considered.

• Candidates are expected to have a foundational understanding of both chemistry and art and heritage science, including basic knowledge of materials and their deterioration processes, conservation ethics, and conservation treatment methods and terminology. For candidates with a degree in Arts and Humanities or Design, a minimum of 'O' Level Chemistry or equivalent is required, with GCE 'A' Level or equivalent preferred.

• High degree of manual dexterity and aesthetic sensitivity are essential, along with familiarity with commonly used conservation tools and techniques. Experience in diverse painting techniques will be advantageous.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with keen attention to detail, patience, and organisational abilities.

• Ability to work respectfully with multicultural materials, with sensitivity to their cultural significance and contexts.

• Ability to work both collaboratively as part of a team and independently, managing multiple tasks and meeting deadlines.

• Physical ability to handle collection objects with care, work in storage environments.

• A proactive approach to work, with the initiative to identify and address issues, and a positive and collaborative disposition.

• Ability to adapt in a multi-lingual and multi-racial environment.

Work Location:

The Assistant Conservator (Paintings) will be based at HCC (32 Jurong Port Road, Singapore 619104), and may be required to occasionally travel to other work locations in Singapore.

Successful candidates will be offered a 2-year contract in the first instance.