The V&A is looking for a project-based Preventive Conservation Data Scientist. This is a fixed term role for 12 months.

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.

Environmental monitoring within V&A sites is an important part of collection care. The V&A has for many years used an environmental monitoring system based on a radio-telemetry network of approximately 1000 sensors. The museum is currently acquiring an off-the-shelf Environmental Monitoring System (EMS) for its new site at Here East. This will then replace the existing 15-year old bespoke OCEAN system at all other V&A sites (South Kensington, Museum of Childhood, Dean Hill Park). The post holder will work on this EMS implementation project with focus on setting up, installing, and testing this new system across all our sites, liaising with preventive conservation colleagues, IT department, as well as external contractors. Focus is on high-quality and timely installation and testing of new system, ensuring that all work performed is accurate, complete and performed within the time frames and budget defined by the department. The new EMS will provide a centralised monitoring system for the V&A. The system consists primarily of temperature, humidity and light units.

Closing date for receipt of applications is Monday 2 August 2021 at 09:00.