The American Museum of Natural History Division of Anthropology Conservation lab seeks to hire a Mellon Foundation funded assistant/associate conservator (Fellow) to assist in preparations for a major renovation of its historic Hall of Northwest Coast Indians. The conservator would act as the key liaison between the permanent conservation staff and the curatorial team and would help arrange communications with First Nations consultants and other experts. The conservator will work with the permanent conservation staff and collaborate with the curatorial team in research and planning for an interdisciplinary conference to take place in the fall of 2017. S/he will also undertake extensive research, taking a deeper look at the history of the Hall and its collections; prior investigations and treatment of the artifacts on display; and potentially identify interpretive and conservation issues and other factors of importance for reinstallation. Travel to the Pacific Northwest in support of this effort will also be undertaken.
Key Responsibilities The fellow will: * Assist in coordinating travel for consulting conservators and First Nations participants to the fall 2017 conference; * Maintain communication with conservators who have undertaken extensive collaborative work with indigenous people and institutions, as well as with identified native consultants on conservation issues; * Assist in survey activities of the artifacts being considered for installation to evaluate their condition, treatment needs and mount requirements; begin treatment of selected objects; * Identify and research topics, with staff conservators, that intersect with curatorial priorities and interests; * Assist in reorganization and digitization of information, samples and other past work to make it readily accessible for use in the project; * Assist in laying the groundwork for possible future conservation training initiatives for native participants. Requirements * Graduate level training in conservation and at least 4 years of museum experience, with excellent communication and organizational skills and strong attention to detail. * Previous experience working with ethnographic material would be optimal, as well as an interest in and experience with native consultation. * Demonstrated ability to work well in a group and with individuals from diverse disciplines, as well as manage a complex, multifaceted project. This is a two-year term position that comes with competitive salary and excellent benefits, commensurate with experience and skills. The position is open immediately. Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume and three letters of recommendation to: Judith Levinson [email protected] The American Museum of Natural History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national Judith Levinson Director of Conservation, Division of Anthropology American Museum of Natural History 79 Street and Central Park West New York, New York 10024 212-769-5434 [email protected] ****** Unsubscribe by sending a message to [email protected] Archives through August 2016 at http://cool.conservation-us.org/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/ Archives from September 2016 onward at https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
