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Conservation fellow (22 month fixed term)
Closing date: 7th July
Salary: £26,910
Take your conservation talent to this fixed-term role with the globally renowned National Gallery.
The National Gallery is looking for a Conservation Fellow. The jobholder will undertake closely supervised work in the cleaning and restoration and the structural repair of paintings; and to have a role in the documentation and examination of loans to and from the Gallery. There will also be the opportunity to become involved in research on paintings in the collection, working in collaboration with the Scientific and Curatorial Departments; and assist colleagues on treatments of painting where necessary.
The role is responsible for the physical care of the collection including cleaning, restoring, and carrying out structural repairs. The job will allow continuing professional development after the completion of a recognised post-graduate training in conservation, within the context of the National Gallery’s ongoing conservation and research activity
The jobholder will undertake closely supervised work in the cleaning and restoration and the structural repair of paintings; and to have a role in the documentation and examination of loans to and from the Gallery. There will also be the opportunity to become involved in research on paintings in the collection, working in collaboration with the Scientific and Curatorial Departments; and assist colleagues on treatments of painting where necessary.
Responsibilities
- The cleaning, restoration, and structural repair of paintings in the collection
- To play a role in the preventive conservation of the collection
- To participate in research into paintings undergoing treatment and in the technical examination of other works, including those being catalogued by curators
- Participate in the maintenance of the department’s records
- Examination on the condition of both National Gallery paintings and external loans as they arrive and depart the Gallery
- Produce clear, well-constructed and comprehensive reports and to record and document conservation treatments and produce condition reports for loans
- To undertake courier duties escorting loans of paintings from the collection to and from exhibitions. (In accordance with current government guidelines for Covid)
Knowledge, skills, experience
- post-graduate qualification in the practice-based conservation of easel paintings
- Basic Demonstrable experience in the interpretation of X-radiographs, infrared reflectograms and other forms of technical photography
- A well-developed visual and intellectual sensibility to paintings and a strong interest in their technique and conservation
- Ability to synthesize technical, historical, and aesthetic information in the formulation of treatment strategies or approaches
- Knowledge of pigment identification, interpretation of cross sections and analysis of organic natural products
- Demonstrable attention to detail; for restoring and conserving paintings
- Self-motivated and understands the importance of maintaining focus appropriately to ensure high quality conservation
- Flexible approach to changes in working priorities
- Demonstrable ability to engage with members of different departments
We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries.
Please make sure that you state in your application that you found this role via Creative Access.
Salary range
- £25,000 to £30,000 per year