Associate Conservator of Objects and Sculpture

Conditions. Workplace Diversity, LLC.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off including parental leave

Medical, dental, and vision health insurance

Retirement plans with university contributions

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Harvard University is seeking an Associate Conservator of Objects and Sculpture to join the collaborative Objects Lab team at the Harvard Art Museums. This role involves the conservation of three-dimensional objects, performing condition reports, and participating in outreach initiatives.

The ideal candidate possesses a degree in Conservation and at least five years of relevant experience, demonstrating significant achievements in conservation. The position includes mentoring opportunities and requires a dedication to advancing the museum's mission.

Qualifications

• At least five years of museum or professional experience in conservation.
• Demonstrated achievements in conservation examinations and treatments.
• Experience with three-dimensional objects in various media.

Responsibilities

• Perform condition reports and treatments for three-dimensional objects.
• Participate in planning budgets for lab activities and exhibitions.
• Mentor and instruct casual employees, fellows, or students.

Skills

Conservation techniques

Research and scholarship

Project management

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree; MA, MS, or Certificate in Conservation

Tools

Digital imaging

X-ray radiography

FT-IR microscopy

Raman spectroscopy

Job description

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world‑changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high‑quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Harvard Art Museums

Ever since their founding, The Harvard Art Museums—The Fogg Museum, Busch‑Reisinger Museum and Arthur M. Sackler Museum—have been dedicated to advancing and supporting learning at Harvard University, in the local community, and around the world. Displayed in galleries that mix not only media but schools of art, the collections at Harvard are celebrated and interrogated within a larger story of artistic expression and historical and contemporary issues. The diverse collection is among the largest in the United States. Through research, teaching, professional training, and public education, the museums strive to advance the understanding and appreciation of art.

The Associate Conservator of Objects and Sculpture reports to the Assistant Director and Head of Objects Lab, Straus Center for Conservation and serves as an integral part of the collaborative Objects Lab team. The Associate Conservator demonstrates achievement, expertise, and initiative in conservation treatments, preventive care, research, and publications relating to the preservation of three‑dimensional objects, artist materials and techniques. The Associate Conservator participates in outreach and produces scholarly work demonstrating originality and conservation expertise for three‑dimensional objects in all media. The Associate Conservator is responsible for practicing and developing these areas in support of the mission of the Harvard Art Museums, while abiding and promoting the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the American Institute of Conservation of Artistic and Historic Works.

Job‑Specific Responsibilities

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Collections

• Performs condition reports, surveys, examinations, and treatments for three‑dimensional objects for the Harvard Art Museums, University Loans, and occasional outside clients. Collections span a broad range of cultures and time periods from ancient to contemporary.
• Prepares accompanying written and photographic documentation, estimates, correspondence, and condition reports for exhibitions, loans, and acquisitions.
• Serves as lab point person for exhibitions, loans, and projects as assigned.
• Performs preventive care for objects, including dusting, integrated pest management, housing, microclimate maintenance and monitoring.
• Reviews and makes recommendations for loans out and accompanies works of art as courier when needed.
• Participates in collections emergency planning and response.
• Follows regular health and safety training programs and is responsible for complying with University guidelines, including the safe use of certain controlled or hazardous substances.

Administrative

• Participates in planning and preparing budgets for lab activities, exhibitions, and special projects.
• Collaborates with and maintains good working relations with conservation scientists, conservators, curators, and other museum staff.
• Participates in the selection, supervision, and instruction of a conservation fellow.
• Assists in the maintenance of the lab and photo studio, including supplies, records, and equipment.
• May serve as lab point person for health and safety issues.
• Practices and promotes the Guidelines for Practice and Code of Ethics as established by the AIC.

Teaching

• Mentors and instructs casual employees, fellows, or students as appropriate.
• Participates in teaching, including undergraduate and graduate courses on artists’ materials and techniques, and the technical examination of art.
• Advices and trains museum staff in the best practices for the care, handling, display, storage, and packing and shipping of objects.

Research

• Stays current with professional philosophies, procedures, and practices in the conservation field through participation in professional organizations, publications, and attendance at meetings, workshops, and seminars.
• Initiates and collaborates on interdisciplinary technical research relevant to museum collections and projects.
• Publishes or presents findings in national and international publications and conferences.

Institutional

• Works with and provides content for Communications, the Division of Academic and Public Programs, Curatorial, and Institutional Advancement, and other departments as needed. Builds positive and productive working relationships with art museums, university, and external colleagues.
• Presents public gallery talks and participates in programming as requested.
• Supports Collections Management’s operation of Art Study Centers and Curricular Galleries.
• Leads and participates in tours for various interest groups.

Working Conditions

Physical Requirements

Work is conducted in a conservation lab setting. Manual dexterity in conservation treatments and object handling is required. Ability to move through a multi‑story museum building. Local travel to other Harvard University sites. Possible domestic or international travel.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree; MA, MS, or Certificate in Conservation from a recognized university program or equivalent training. Minimum of five years’ museum or other professional experience with demonstrated achievements in conservation examination, treatments, collaborative research, and publications relating to the preservation of and study of three‑dimensional objects in a wide range of media.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Scholarly work or research papers demonstrating originality and conservation expertise, published or presented in professional forums.
• Broad understanding of modern conservation practices, theory, and ethics. Proficiency in laboratory methods and safety.
• Demonstrated experience with project management of large and small‑scale projects.
• Demonstrated experience with technical study of 3D objects and familiarity with analytical techniques such as X‑radiography, XRF, FT‑IR, Raman spectroscopy, SEM‑EDS, and GC‑MS.
• Demonstrated experience with state‑of‑the‑art imaging tools used for conservation documentation and imaging including digital photography, multi‑band imaging, and reflectance transformation imaging.
• High level of proficiency with computer skills, including image editing and management.
• Excellent communication, writing, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Precise attention to detail and manual dexterity.

Certificates and Licenses

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: (none given)
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable):
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre‑Employment Screening: Identity, Education, and Criminal.
• Other Information: This position works at the Museums’ two sites in Cambridge and Somerville to carry out all duties and responsibilities.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard‑designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

EEO/Non‑Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non‑discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non‑discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.