Job Information
Harvard University Conservation Junior Fellow in Cambridge, Massachusetts
65544BRAuto req ID:65544BRJob Code:403079 Curatorial Assistant II Department Office Location:USA - MA - Cambridge Business Title:Conservation Junior FellowSub-Unit:------------ Appointment End Date:31-Jul-2025Salary Grade (https://hr.harvard.edu/salary-ranges#ranges) :051Time Status:Full-time Union:55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers Basic Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in humanities, sciences, or studio art.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
Demonstrated interest in the preservation of cultural material.
Excellent communication skills (listening, verbal and written).
Flexible and inquisitive team player who thrives in a learning environment.
Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
Ability to build and sustain relationships with co-workers, students, visitors, etc. and inspire others to participate and problem-solve.
Proficiency with computer software, and a willingness to learn how to operate new software.
Additional Information:PLEASE NOTE: The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.
Department:Straus Center for Conservation and Technical StudiesPre-Employment Screening:Criminal, Education, IdentitySchedule:Full time. Monday through Friday. 35 hours per week. Job Function:Museum Position Description:Position Description:
Assist the staff of the Straus Center conservation labs in the examination and treatment of works of art from the Harvard Art Museums’ collections. The Junior Fellow will support the priorities of the Straus Center staff, which are generally driven by exhibition, loans, and research needs.
Under the close supervision of the Straus Center staff, the Junior Fellow carries out a broad range of activities, including basic treatments of works of art in the collections; preparing accompanying written and photographic documentation, and preparing condition reports for various objects intended for exhibitions, loans, and acquisitions; and assisting with research and other projects.
As a member of the Harvard Art Museums community, the Junior Fellow is expected to participate, as required, in activities such as assisting with Art Study Center appointments, assisting with classes in the Materials Labs, and presenting their work with class or lab tours. The Junior Fellow will be an active member of the Harvard Art Museums Fellows’ cohort. Activities can include regular meetings with museums departments, a Fellows conference, visits to other museums.
This is a one-year benefits-eligible term position beginning in Early September with a term end date of July 31, 2025.
School/Unit:Harvard Art Museums EEO Statement:We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.Physical Requirements:
- Manual dexterity and ability to handle art objects required.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed in an office setting
This is an on-site position
Job Summary:This exciting one-year training opportunity with the Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies at the Harvard Art Museums will introduce you to the field of art conservation. The Pre-Program Conservation Junior Fellowship program has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. This program aims to increase access, diversity, and inclusive excellence in the field of art conservation and prepare the junior fellow for potential further training in a graduate degree program.
The Conservation Junior Fellow will work under close supervision of and encouragement by the Straus Center staff. The Junior Fellow will gain knowledge, hands-on experience, and familiarity with various functions involved in the preservation of a range of objects and materials in a lab setting. They will also learn how conservation functions within an academic museum.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging:Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.Benefits:We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:
Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
Work Format:On-Site LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only):#LI-KP1Work Format Details:This position is based primarily on-campus, in Massachusetts. This may include in-person during emergency situations (if applicable). Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.About Us:Ever since their founding, the Harvard Art Museums—the Fogg Museum, Busch-Reisinger Museum, and Arthur M. Sackler Museum—have been dedicated to advancing and supporting learning at Harvard University, in the local community, and around the world. Displayed in galleries that mix not only media but schools of art, the collection at Harvard is celebrated and interrogated within a larger story of artistic expression and historical and contemporary issues. The diverse collection is among the largest in the United States. Through research, teaching, professional training, and public education the museums strive to advance the understanding and appreciation of art.
The Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies is a world leader in fine arts conservation, research, and training. The staff of the Straus Center looks forward to working with you and sharing some of the ways we care for art objects. The center’s laboratories are where conservation, conservation science, and curatorial practice intersect, coming together to enrich the understanding of and care for the approximately 250,000 objects in the Harvard Art Museums’ collections. The Straus Center is a premier training ground for conservators and scientists, offering them advanced-level fellowships to refine their skills through the examination, analysis, and treatment of works of art, and through the presentation and publication of their research.