Assistant Book Conservator

The-Morgan-Library-; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

The Morgan Library & Museum invites applications for a full-time assistant book conservator who will join a small team of conservators and preparators caring for ancient papyri, manuscripts, drawings, prints, and rare bound materials. The role emphasizes examination, treatment, documentation, and preventive conservation within a dynamic institutional program.

Responsibilities include collaborating across departments, supporting exhibitions and loans, and mentoring students and interns, with

Qualifications

• A graduate degree (M.A., M.S.) in conservation plus a minimum of 2 years post-graduate work experience.
• Knowledge of simple and complex treatment options for bound collection materials; ability to execute treatments with accuracy.
• Keen observational skills, applied to bound materials, techniques and past treatments.
• Familiarity with digital imaging; Photoshop, Bridge, and RAW processing.
• Understanding of AIC Code of Ethics with documentation, written and photographic.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to collaborate across departments.
• Ability to manage concurrent projects and meet deadlines; flexible, creative problem solving.
• Proficiency with Windows, MS Office including PowerPoint, Gmail, Google Drive; learn TMS.
• Excellent manual dexterity and visual acuity; able to stand; use PPE as needed.
• This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship; US work authorization required.

Responsibilities

• Examine, document, study, and treat rare books and manuscripts on paper and parchment, including bindings.
• Participate in preventive conservation, safe housing, storage, imaging and display.
• Contribute to exhibitions and loans; engage in outreach and publications when appropriate.
• Guide and support students, interns and post-graduate fellows.
• Occasional courier travel by air and/or truck up to several times per year.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal comms

Observational skills

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Flexibility

Manual dexterity

Ability to work standing

PPE awareness

Organizational skills

Interdepartmental coordination

Education

M.A./M.S. in conservation

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Bridge

RAW image processing

TMS

PowerPoint

MS Office

Gmail

Google Drive

Job description

Description

The Morgan Library & Museum invites applications for a full-time assistant book conservator. The successful candidate will join a small department of experienced conservators and preparators who care for the Morgan’s exceptional and varied collections, including ancient papyri, manuscripts on paper and parchment, photographs, master drawings and prints, modern and contemporary drawings and prints; rare bound materials including manuscripts, printed books, sketchbooks and albums. Working collegially across many departments, the assistant book conservator will support the Morgan’s mission to preserve, interpret and develop its collections, while making them accessible to a broad and diverse audience.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Sherman Fairchild Director of Conservation, and working closely with other conservation staff, the assistant book conservator is responsible primarily for the examination, documentation, technical study, and treatment of rare books and manuscripts on paper and parchment, as well as bindings and binding structures, following the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice. They will also participate in preventive conservation activities promoting safe housing, storage, handling, imaging and display of collection materials. Professional participation, research, publication, and outreach activities are encouraged, in the context of an active institutional program of exhibitions and loans. With other departmental colleagues, the incumbent will guide and facilitate the work of students, interns and post-graduate fellows. The position may involve courier travel by air and/or truck, up to several times per year.

Qualifications

• A graduate degree (M.A., M.S.) in conservation from an established university program (or equivalent training and experience), plus a minimum of 2 years post-graduate work experience in the conservation rare books, manuscripts, and bindings.
• Knowledge and experience of a range of simple and complex treatment options for bound collection materials; ability to execute appropriate treatments with accuracy and precision, as demonstrated by a portfolio.
• Keen observational skills, applied to the understanding and interpretation of bound collection materials, techniques and working methods, and the effects of past and present conservation treatments.
• Knowledge of the chemical and physical properties of bound objects and the substances used to treat them; awareness of analytical or other techniques for identifying these materials and/or determining changes in them.
• Familiarity with digital, spectral, and other technical imaging as used in the study of historical artifacts and documentation of conservation treatments; familiarity with Adobe Photoshop, Bridge and processing of RAW image files
• Understanding of and adherence to the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice, including written and photographic documentation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; commitment to collegial and collaborative work across departments.
• Ability to work on concurrent interdepartmental projects such as exhibitions, loans and imaging initiatives, managing priorities to meet project deadlines; flexible and creative approach to problem solving.
• Proficiency with the Windows environment (especially Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint), Gmail and Google Drive; ability to learn and use the Morgan’s collections and information systems (TMS).
• Excellent level of manual dexterity and visual acuity; ability to work standing as needed for successful completion of conservation treatments. Ability to use appropriate PPE to protect against moderate levels of dust, mold, or chemicals used in treatment.
• Other related duties as assigned.
• This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must have authorization to work in the United States that does not require employer sponsorship.

Compensation

$71,000 Excellent benefit plan.

Please note that due to the high number of applicants, we are only able to contact those candidates whose skills and background best fit our needs.

EEO Statement

The Morgan is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity laws. The Morgan provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.