Senior Paper Conservator (Fixed Term)

As the principal museum of the University of Cambridge and the largest cultural venue in the region, The Fitzwilliam Museum acts as a crucial bridge between the University, the City and the rest of the world, and has an international reputation for extraordinary research, world class exhibitions, award-winning public programmes and significant collections spanning many cultures and centuries. The role holder will be part of a project team and will help to plan and implement a conservation and research project, generously supported by the Conal Shields Fund. They will focus exclusively on the Museum's important collection of mezzotints by David Lucas after John Constable, known as the English Landscape (1830-32), including an important set of trial proofs of the mezzotints totalling some 450 impressions. Many are touched or annotated by Constable, and some relate to instructions in Constable's correspondence to Lucas, also present in the Museum's collection. Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), a computational photographic technique, has proved a valuable tool for investigating the evolution of the image in the proof impressions of the English Landscape. The technology has enabled us to definitively place the sheets in state order and scrutinise minute changes in the development of the prints to better understand the collaboration between artist and printer. The outcomes of this project will include full conservation of the mezzotints, research outputs and an exhibition for the public. Through technical research and practical conservation of these works, the post-holder will ensure the timely delivery of these outcomes to an excellent standard. The post-holder is a specialist in conservation of works of art on paper and as Senior Paper Conservator is working at the peak of conservation practice. The role holder must be able to work unsupervised on heritage of unique and international significance, to an outstanding level of skill. There will be an opportunity at interview to study example prints and discuss their condition and potential treatment options. If selected for interview, candidates will be asked to provide a portfolio of recent conservation projects. In return we offer an encouraging and supportive environment, generous holiday allowance, an attractive pension scheme and many employee benefits such as a shopping discounts scheme. Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2.5 years in the first instance. Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check and a security check. Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University. Closing date for applications: 19th February 2025 Interviews for the role will be held: W/C 10th March 2025 Please quote reference DA44794 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy. The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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