Preventive Conservation Fellow — Data-Driven Environments

Smithsonian; Suitland (MD); On-site; USD 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Transit benefits

403b retirement plan

Annual & sick leave

Family leave

Job summary

Smithsonian Institution in Suitland, MD seeks a Conservator (Preventive) Fellow to develop data‑driven strategies for museum environments. This two‑year, trust‑fund appointment emphasizes research, pilot projects, and cross‑disciplinary collaboration.

The fellow will map practices, organize stakeholder meetings, and communicate results to conservators, curators, and leadership, contributing to evidence‑based environmental standards across SI's collections.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in conservation from an accredited program.
• 1–2 years of research or related museum/field experience in preventive conservation.
• Knowledge of preventive conservation principles, chemistry, materials, and deterioration.

Responsibilities

• Maps and assesses historic/current research and practices for museum environments across SI and broader conservation sector.
• Collaborates with conservators, scientists, and cultural heritage practitioners across SI and conservation community.
• Organizes a convening of key stakeholders and communicates results to conservators, collections staff, facilities staff and SI leadership.

Skills

Conservation theory

Environmental monitoring

Documentation & reporting

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree in Conservation

Job description

Smithsonian Institution in Suitland, MD seeks a Conservator (Preventive) Fellow to develop data‑driven strategies for museum environments. This two‑year, trust‑fund appointment emphasizes research, pilot projects, and cross‑disciplinary collaboration.

The fellow will map practices, organize stakeholder meetings, and communicate results to conservators, curators, and leadership, contributing to evidence‑based environmental standards across SI's collections.