Job Summary
The Harvard Art Museums’ Fellowship program is designed to broaden the experience of those embarking on professional museum careers in art history and related fields, conservation and conservation science, and/or education. Harvard Art Museums’ global collections encompass cultures across Asia, North Africa, Europe, and the Americas from ancient times to today. The Fellow is an integral member of the Museums staff whose work serves the Museums’ purpose, vision, and values.
Position Description
- The Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies is seeking a postdoctoral scientist for a 3-year research fellowship in the field of conservation science.
- Under the supervision of the Senior Conservation Scientist, this person works with scientists, conservators, conservation fellows, curators, and academic art historians on research projects. This position utilizes a broad range of art and artists’ materials collections in the Harvard Art Museums and other institutions, including traditional and modern/contemporary artists’ materials and techniques.
- Duties include providing analytical services to the Harvard Art Museums’ conservators and curators in the study and preservation of the collection and document findings.
- Fellowship will involve the organization of workshops and symposia to engage others in examining issues related to conservation science research. Position further includes assisting with instrument maintenance and repair as necessary, and training others to use the instruments.
- Foregrounding the museum’s teaching and research mission, the Fellow also helps provide content expertise and support for teaching in the galleries and the Museums’ Art Study Center, including staffing Art Study Center sessions approximately three hours a week, participating in a series of art handling workshops, and contributing to a rich offering of public and academic interpretive programs across various platforms.
- The Fellow will be an active member of the Fellows’ cohort and will participate in regular cohort meetings, training, activities, and in the annual Fellows symposium at the end of the spring semester.
- The Fellow may supervise students and temporary employees.
PLEASE NOTE: This position works on-site at both the museum in Cambridge, MA, and a second facility in Somerville, MA.
