Career Resources

May 1, 2026
The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C. is seeking a Conservation Fellow who will report to the Head of Conservation. The position is designed to provide advanced training in paintings conservation to a recent graduate of a master's degree conservation program at a recognized university. The emphasis will be on the examination, documentation, treatment, and research on works from The Phillips Collection's rich holdings of 19th to 21st century paintings. The fellow will work with painting conservators on all aspects of care of the collection to promote its preservation. This is a limited term, grant funded position. Initial duration of the fellowship is one year, with a possibility to extend for another one to two years. The start date for this position will be September 8th, 2026. It includes a $3,000 annual travel stipend for conferences, workshops and research. Please visit this link for more information and to apply. Applications are due on May 15, 2026. 

April 29, 2026
The Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (HMSG) is a leading voice for contemporary art and culture and provides a national platform for the arts and artists of our time. We seek to share the transformative power of modern and contemporary art with audiences at all levels of awareness and understanding by creating meaningful, personal experiences in which art, artists, audiences, and ideas converge. We enhance public understanding and appreciation of contemporary art through acquisition, exhibitions, education and public programs, conservation, and research. In order to fulfill its mission, HMSG develops collaborative relationships with institutions and organizations within the Smithsonian, the United States, and abroad. The collection consists of approximately 13,000 objects of modern and contemporary art, consisting of paintings, sculptures, variable media, and works on paper.

The Project Conservator is responsible for conservation treatment and assessment of HMSG sculpture collections in offsite storage during a multi-year remediation project. The Project Conservator will conduct a survey of approximately 1200 sculptures, draft treatment proposals, propose recommendations for rehousing, and conduct treatment on a variety of artworks in various mediums. This is a one-year term position with the option for renewal, pending funding availability and completion of the project’s objectives; located primarily in the Museum Support Center (MSC), in Suitland, MD. This job is not suitable for hybrid or remote work. For more information about the job and to apply, please click this link. Application deadline is May 18, 2026. 

April 28, 2026
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) seeks an Associate or Full Conservator of Paintings to join the Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation Center for Conservation. This is a full-time position within a collaborative, cross-disciplinary environment where conservation is integrated into broader museum practices, with an emphasis on preserving and expanding understanding of 5,000 years of global visual art creation. More information and a link to apply is here. Application deadline: June 1, 2026

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) is also looking for an Associate or Full Conservator of Objects and Sculpture to join a collaborative, cross-disciplinary team committed to the preservation, study, and interpretation of the museum's expansive and diverse collection. This is a full-time position where conservation is integrated into broader museum practices, with an emphasis on preserving and expanding understanding of 5,000 years of global visual art creation. More information can be found here with this link to apply. Application deadline: June 1, 2026

April 27, 2026
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens is pleased to announce an opening for a Paper Conservator. The full position description is linked and copied below. Our conservation team of nine welcomes inquiries from strong candidates. Feel free to reach out with any questions about the role to Kristi Westberg at kwestberg@huntington.org. Click the following link for a Full Job Description and to apply.

April 27, 2026
The Williamstown +Atlanta Art Conservation Centers is seeking a Conservator and Lab Head for our Atlanta location. Specialty is open with a preference for paintings or paper. The position requires an individual who enjoys both the challenges of conservation treatment and administrative leadership, including overseeing daily lab operations, setting priorities, guiding workflow, and supporting staff through supervision, mentoring, and evaluation.  We anticipate considering a range of candidates from those with significant management experience to individuals who are ready to step into this level of responsibility for the first time. If you have questions, please reach out to: bgreenfield@williamstownart.org.  

April 8, 2026
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library is seeking a Conservation Technician. The Conservation Technician works in the Preservation and Conservation Services department of the University Library and will report to the Senior Conservator. Preservation and Conservation Services supports all University Library collections, including circulating and special collections. The Conservation Technician reports to the Senior Conservator, but works across circulating and special collections, sometimes working under the direction of the Supervisor of General Collections Conservation or the Assistant Conservator. The salary range for this position is $50,280 - $56,419. For more information on job duties and to apply, go to the job posting at the University of North Carolina. 

April 1, 2026
The Baltimore Museum of Art is seeking a Director of Conservation. The position is full-time and open to any specialty. The salary is $116,700 and includes benefits. The details of the position can be found at the link below or in the attached PDF. 
artbma.org/about/career-volunteer-opportunities  If you have any questions, please reach out to HR@artbma.org

March 30, 2026
Stanford Libraries seeks a full-time Head of Conservation Services to join our Preservation department. Reporting to the Associate Director for Preservation, the Head of Conservation Services manages a well-established and dynamic conservation program for special collections materials focused on the care of books, archival collections, maps, posters, photographs, and objects. You will plan and direct the daily activities of the unit and lead a collaborative team of conservators and conservation technicians responsible for conservation treatment, custom housing, and exhibition loans. As the Head of Conservation Services you will be an integral member of the Preservation Department management team, working closely with the Technical & Access Services Associate Director for Preservation and the Preservation Librarian to cultivate a respectful, supportive and inclusive workplace and develop appropriate and sustainable workflows that meet department, Library, and University strategic priorities. This position is based at the Stanford Redwood City campus with work on Stanford's Historic campus as needed. First consideration given to applications received by May 18, 2026. You can see the full position announcement at Stanford Careers.

March 27, 2026
The Mariners' Museum and Park seeks to hire one full-time conservation science position for two years funded through an IMLS Leadership Grant for Museums. The successful applicant will join an expanding conservation research program housed within the well-equipped 20,000 square-foot Batten Conservation Complex. Please see the link below to learn more about the laboratory's equipment, research, and publications. 
www.marinersmuseum.org/conservation-science-research
Start date: On or before June 1, 2026

March 26, 2026
The Tennessee State Library & Archives in Nashville, TN is seeking a conservator specializing in paper, library and archives, or photographic materials. The position is permanent, on-site, and full-time with a salary of $64,000 plus benefits. This position will be open until filled. If you have interest and/or have any questions, please reach out to me at emily.farek@tnsos.gov. For more information and to apply for this job, please click here. 

March 26, 2026
Yale University Library seeks a collaborative and innovative Head to lead its Book Conservation Unit and support stewardship of the Library's extraordinary collections. The Head of Book Conservation contributes to the library's mission by developing and overseeing the conservation of books for the Yale Library's special collections. Working as a member of Conservation and Exhibition Strategies management team, he/she/they will act as an advocate for the care of collections in a large, dynamic, complex environment, working with a diverse group of stakeholders.  This position will be assigned a rank of Librarian 3 to 5 based on a combination of professional experience and accomplishments. Librarian ranking information can be found at: http://bit.ly/YULRanksPromotions. The budgeted salary for this position is $90,000-$130,000. To apply, please visit: https://careers.yale.edu/us/en/job/132965WD/Head-Book-Conservation