Assistant Conservator, Objects Conservation [End-Dated]

The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online.

Since its founding in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with a staff as diverse as the audiences we engage. Our staff members are art lovers who are passionate about working toward a common goal: creating the most dynamic and inspiring art museum in the world.

At The Met, every staff member – from security officers to researchers to scientists and beyond – lives by our core values of respect, inclusivity, collaboration, excellence, and integrity. 

The Department of Objects Conservation is responsible for the conservation and mounting/installation of three-dimensional art at the Museum’s two venues. The scope of the Objects Conservation’s mission-critical responsibilities extends to every curatorial department and all of the Museum’s collections-based activities, including acquisitions, deaccessioning, exhibitions, capital projects, scholarly research, teaching and outreach, etc. The substantial scope of work includes over 7,000 completed object requests annually and the variation in scale ranges from single beads to historic interiors and architectural stone elements embedded in the Museum’s buildings.

The Department of Objects Conservation at The Metropolitan Museum of Art upholds the highest professional standards in the conservation of the Museum’s three-dimensional works of art. You will be one of four conservators working towards the conservation of two monumental early sixteenth-century polychrome stone sculptural ensembles, and a polychrome architectural wood frame from Dordogne, France: Entombment of Christ (16.32.2a,b) and Pieta with Donors (16.31.1).

This is a position with an established end-date or time frame. Time frames will begin upon hire: 2.5 Years

• Conservation of the sculptural ensemble and architectural frame in coordination and collaboration with the team of 4 other conservators.

• Understanding of and contributing to the accompanying examination and research for the two ensembles.

• Understanding of treatment goals and examination results based on analysis provided by the Department of Scientific Research.

• Preparation of visual and written documentation of the examination, research, and treatments according to AIC guidelines and departmental protocols.

• Possible dissemination of activities and findings on various platforms, including public and professional lectures, and print and digital publications.

• Master’s degree from an internationally recognized graduate conservation program required.

• At least two years of conservation experience. Museum experience preferred.

• Experience in the technical examination of painted surfaces.

• Understanding of stratigraphic analysis of painted and gilded surfaces required.

• Proficiency with common conservation documentation tools required.

• Excellent hand skills, attention to detail, and ability to produce consistent results required.

• Proven ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively in partnership with other colleagues required.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills required.

• Ability to safely lift heavy objects and work on ladder or rig required.

• Expected to perform conservation treatment while in public space during the Museum’s business hours.

COMPENSATION:

• Pay Range: $80,000 - $85,000 / Annually

The advertised pay scale reflects the good faith minimum and maximum salary range for this role. The advertised pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.

At time of employment, employees are expected to be located within commuting distance of the Museum. “Commuting distance” means that they are located in one of following states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania (the “Tri-state and PA” areas), and be able to commute to and from the Museum in a single day.