Conservator of Photographic Materials - Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Posted: Oct 30, 2009
Application Deadline: February 1, 2010
Description:
The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam is an institution for art and history, whose purpose is to show a representative overview of Dutch art and history beginning from the Middle Ages, along with important aspects of European and Asiatic art, for a national and international public. The mission of the Rijksmuseum is to treat the collection in such a way that many are aware of the exceptional meaning of this national treasure and to give meaning to objects of art from the past and history, in the present.
Recently, the Conservation Department moved to the new location on Hobbemastraat, the ‘Ateliergebouw’, where all conservation studios of the Rijksmuseum are based. Most of the conservation work will be carried out in the Ateliergebouw. Other work will be carried out in the museum or in the repository.
The paper conservation studio staff comprises a head paper conservation, an paper conservator, a conservator of photographic materials and a conservation technician, while other conservators and trainees are being employed on a project basis.
The paper collection consists of approximately 700,000 prints, 80,000 drawings and 120,000 photographs in Amsterdam. The conservator will work primarily but not exclusively on photographic materials
In general terms, the conservator is responsible for the conservation and maintenance of objects in the collection in such away that they remain of the desired quality now and in the future.
Duties/Responsibilities:
The main tasks include:
carrying out conservation work and related research in such a way that, while taking account of numerous important variables, objects are conserved to and/or maintained in their required state and the quality requirements are complied with;
contributing to the development of methods, techniques and ethical and aesthetic criteria for research and the execution of conservation work, as well as participating in (scientific) development projects, carrying out specific scientific research and reporting the findings;
assessing the physical state of objects in such a way that well-balanced decisions can be taken in the event of acquisitions and loans, etc., as well as drawing up descriptions of the condition of objects, determining the need for conservation with an estimate of the costs, risk of damage during transport and loans, etc.
advising third parties on the physical condition of objects;
participating in project-based activities, including involvement in consultation bodies and carrying out substantive and administrative tasks in relation to projects.
Required Qualifications/Skills:
Master Degree in the Conservation of Photographic Materials or a master degree in Paper Conservation specializing in Photographic Materials;
considerable experience with carrying out (complex) conservations and recording the results;
experience with performing scientific research;
experience with applying new methods and collaborating with colleagues from other disciplines;
experience with publishing conservation research and results;
a spoken and written command of the Dutch language (or a willingness to learn Dutch in the short term) and a - command of two modern languages amongst which English;
good social and communication skills;
a pro-active, analytical and problem-solving attitude;
a focus on development;
honesty as regards conservation ethics and aesthetic issues;
a focus on service and flexibility.
Length of Position:
36 hours a week, for a period of one year as of 1 March 2010. The appointment will be for an initial period of one year, renewable on assessment of performance, with eligibility for permanent tenure after three years.
Compensation:
Depending on training and experience, the gross salary will be a minimum of 32.616,- Euro and a maximum of 42.660,- Euro per year based on a full working week of 36 hours, excluding 8% holiday allowance and end of the year allowance. The Collective labour agreement for independent state museums is applicable.
Contact Details/How to Apply:
For further information please about the function contact
Mrs Idelette van Leeuwen
Head Paper Conservation Studio
+31 0 20 674 7113
For queries relating to the application procedure, please contact
Mrs Anita Jansen
HR manager
+31 0 20 674 7326
Please e-mail your application (letter and cv) to vacatures@rijksmuseum __ nl no later than on 1 February 2010.
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