Job Posting: Postgraduate Fellowship in Objects Conservation at the Yale University Art Gallery
Listing Start Date: January 10, 2025
Expires: January 27, 2025
Founded in 1832, the Yale University Art Gallery is the oldest college art museum in America. Today, it serves Yale University, the wider New Haven community, and the public as a center of teaching, learning, and scholarship. The Conservation Department is an integral part of this mission, with specialists actively engaged in the treatment of paintings, objects, textiles, furniture, and works on paper, along with related research, teaching, and mentorship.
The Position: The Gallery is pleased to offer the Lehman Postgraduate Fellowship in Objects Conservation. The term of the fellowship is two years, commencing in September 2025. The position is designed to provide advanced training in conservation, broadening the Fellow’s technical skills and knowledge of objects conservation. The Gallery seeks motivated applicants from all backgrounds and values diversity with regard to culture, race, ethnicity, gender identity, and ability.
The Fellow will carry out a broad range of activities, including examining, researching, and treating works from the Gallery’s extensive collections. They will compile written and photographic documentation. Working with curators, registrars, and art-handlers, among others, the successful candidate will also participate in a wide range of activities at the Gallery including installations, loans, and preventive care. The Fellow may partake in a comprehensive treatment of an ancient Roman mosaic. The Fellow will be given time to complete a research project on a topic of their choice and will be encouraged to present a paper or publish the findings. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with research scientists in Yale’s Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, as well as conservators from other Yale institutions. Yale University’s resources at large will also contribute to and enhance this Fellowship.
Essential Duties: Document, examine, and treat collection objects for exhibition, loan, and on-going care; conduct condition surveys; assist in organizing and maintaining the laboratory; assist with maintenance activities, including dusting, environmental monitoring, and Integrated Pest Management; undertake remedial and preventive conservation procedures; document activities both in written and photographic form; participate in Departmental and Institution-wide meetings and programs.
Required Education, Experience, and Skills:
· Master’s degree in conservation or related field; or bachelor’s degree plus postgraduate qualification in conservation
· Demonstrated record of treatment and research
· Manual dexterity
· Excellent communications skills (listening, verbal, and written)
· Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment
· Ability to work efficiently on multiple concurrent projects
· Curiosity and desire to research artworks, artists, cultures, materials, techniques, etc.
· Perceptive, with an eye for detail
· Familiarity with imaging tools used for conservation documentation, including digital photography, X-radiography, and infrared reflectography
· Proficiency with computer software, including image-editing and -management software (Adobe Photoshop preferred)
· Facility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and databases (training in use of the museum’s collections-management system will be provided).
· Fluency in English language and demonstrated visual, manual, research, documentation, and writing abilities are required.
Other Helpful Information:
· Position requires working among the West Campus Collection Studies Center in West Haven, the Yale University Art Gallery in downtown New Haven, the Library Shelving Facility in Hamden, and/or remotely should public-health conditions warrant it. The workweek is 37.5 hours (8:30 am to 5:00 pm daily with an hour for lunch)
· Yale University requires all students, faculty, staff, and postdoctoral and postgraduate trainees-other than those with an approved medical or religious exemption-to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and to obtain a booster shot within 14 days of eligibility.
Salary: The salary for the fellowship is $50-55K per year based on years of experience, plus an additional $2500 per year for research and travel. Relocation expenses will be covered up to $1500.
Application: Please send a letter of interest and CV with the Subject Line “Postgraduate Fellowship in Objects Conservation” by 27 January 2025, 5 PM EST to Lizzie Hammerberg at [email protected].