The V&A

The V&A is looking for a Senior Conservator (Paintings and Painted Surfaces) to join its vibrant Conservation team.

The V&A is the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance, and the custodian of an extraordinary and extensive collection spanning decorative and applied arts. Working with and for our visitors, we are changing how our extensive Collections are cared for, seen, understood and enjoyed. The mission of the Collections Care and Access division is to manage, preserve, and provide access to the V&A’s collection in both physical and digital format, working across multiple V&A sites, at South Kensington, Bethnal Green and in Stratford. The division is made up of the following departments: Conservation, Technical Services, Collections Management, Photography and Digitisation and Collections Access. The Conservation department brings excellence and innovation to the long-term care of the V&A’s collections, supporting access to the collections, the V&A’s public programme, and care of collections research initiatives.

The V&A houses a collection of over 2.3 million objects that document 5,000 years of human creativity from across six continents. The Museum holds many of UK’s designated National Collections, including sculpture, ceramics, metalwork, textiles and furniture. It is also home to the National Art Library, which holds the UK’s most comprehensive public reference library for the fine and decorative arts, as well as special collections of the art of the book, and the Archive of Art and Design, extensive archives of over 1,000 individuals, associations and companies involved in the art and design process. The V&A’s paintings collection is also world famous. It includes very important holdings of nineteenth century British oil paintings, John Constable’s studio contents, and a wide range of European paintings.

The role

As Senior Conservator (Paintings and Painted Surfaces) you will provide excellence in the conservation of paintings (including canvas and panel paintings) and other objects with painted surfaces in the collection  (including architectural elements, sculpture and furniture).

The post holder, through a combination of examination, assessment, documentation, interventive and preventive measures, will support the delivery of the museum’s Public Programme, strategic objectives, and the Conservation and Care of Collections workplan.

The Senior Conservator will work closely with the Conservation Operations team, the Preventive Conservation team, the Senior Conservation Scientist, and other stakeholders such as Frames Conservators, Technical Services, Curators and external borrowers.

The post holder will have extensive experience in the treatments for easel paintings and other painted surfaces and have a sound knowledge of scientific analysis and techniques to allow technical examination of objects with the aim of contributing to an understanding of their history and technique.

An excellent knowledge and understanding of the properties of materials used in the construction of related objects and in their conservation is essential, together with an understanding of technological and art history to allow such information to be placed in context. The post holder will also have a proven ability to work independently, project manage and organise tasks to work in an effective and efficient way and to produce a high standard of work within tight deadlines. 

Closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday 11 July 2021 at midnight.