Painting Conservation Fellow

OVERVIEW:

The Conservation Fellow will report to the Head of Conservation at The Phillips Collection. 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 19^th to 21^st 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. The position will remain full-time, exempt. 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 8^th, 2026.

$3000 annual travel stipend will be issued for conferences, workshops and research.

Medical, dental, retirement, life and long-term illness insurance, voluntary programs, commuter benefits and paid leave will be provided. 

The Phillips Collection is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that encourages and values diversity in its staff, Board of Trustees, supporters, volunteers, audience, collections, exhibitions, and programming. Diversity enhances the institution’s engagement with an increasingly broad spectrum of participants and strengthens relationships within our community and beyond. Diversity promotes creativity and innovation, thereby increasing the institution’s resilience and ability to embrace our ever-changing world.

DUTIES:

Examination, documentation and treatment of paintings from the permanent collection.

Conduct analysis of materials used in paintings as necessary for treatment and research into artists’ techniques, using microscopy, and infrared and x-radiographic imaging.

Assist conservation staff in an updated condition and treatment survey of the paintings collection.

Prepare completed survey for transfer to new collections management database.

Assist conservation staff in ongoing maintenance for the preservation of the permanent collection, such as rehousing, affixing backing boards, dusting works on view and reviewing environmental conditions in galleries.

Prepare paintings for loan and exhibition.

Create condition report exhibition notebooks.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A recent graduate from a master’s degree program in art conservation, with a major in paintings conservation.

Demonstrated hand skills to provide high standard for conservation treatment of paintings.

Ability to write thorough examination and treatment reports and complete full photographic documentation. 

Experience with microscopy and infrared and x-radiographic imaging.

Strong computer skills to assist in transfer of conservation documentation to new collections management database.

Interest in research on American Modernist paintings.

Must be able to work in The United States (status of a citizen, permanent resident, U.S. work permit holder, or pre-approved work visa holder) and present the museum the sufficient I-9 document(s).

Must be able to relocate to Washington, DC, or the commutable surrounding area, for the duration of the fellowship.

To apply, please upload your resume, a statement of interest about working at The Phillips Collection (utilize documents upload tab), and two examples of completed paintings conservation treatments including all documentation. Please also send an example of a written research project in which you studied -painting materials, techniques, and/or the history of an artist. Please include contact information for three professional references. 

Direct URL to apply:

https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=f8ae008f-99ab-4241-be9d-f3450d619f5a&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=610117&source=CC2&lang=en_US

The application closing date is May 15^th, 2026. 

No phone calls, no recruiters, please.

The employment at The Phillips Collection is at-will. The Phillips Collection is an equal opportunity employer of qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. All employment decisions and personnel actions are conducted without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic disposition or carrier status, marital status, veteran status, personal appearance, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other category protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.