Andrew W. Mellon Postgraduate Fellowship in Furniture and Woodwork Conservation
Contact Information
We Are Committed to an Inclusive Workplace
At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we actively seek to employ a diverse group
of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage
individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from marginalized
and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by our
shared purpose and enjoy working collaboratively with others.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants
will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry,
citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial
status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital
status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran
status, or any other protected status.
How You Will Contribute
Working as part of the Furniture and Woodwork team, the Fellowship will
include technical examination, treatment, research, and preservation
activities on European, American, and Asian furniture and architectural
woodwork in the Museum's collections.
Specifically, you will:
- Examine, conduct research, and perform treatment on furniture and architectural woodwork in the museum collections
- Participate in preservation activities throughout the museum, including exhibitions and storage
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Your background and experience include:
- A graduate degree from a recognized master’s program in conservation or equivalent training, with completion no more than five years prior to application for the fellowship.
- Demonstrated visual, manual, and scholarly aptitude.
- Demonstrated proficiency in English language skills (written and spoken).
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
Position and Compensation Details
- The minimum salary for this position is $42,000
- The position includes an annual stipend for research and travel.
- This position is full-time, exempt, and 35 hours per week.
- This position is part of the AFSCME Local 397 bargaining unit.
- This position reports to the Elaine S. Harrington Senior Conservator of
- Furniture and Woodwork
- The position will begin September 18, 2023 and end August 29, 2025
Physical requirements:
- Able to remain stationary for extended periods of time, to utilize computers and other office equipment required of this job, to perform physically administrative duties in a typical interior office environment, gallery, or exhibit space, and to access most public and staff areas of the museum campus
- Able to regularly set up, adjust, and operate a computer/keyboard and other office equipment used to generate work/transmit data.
- Able to move up to 50 pounds
- COVID-19 vaccination required.
- Background check required after a conditional job offer is made.
- Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
Institutional Requirements
- Upholds the professional standards of the field, always acts in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the museum, and protects and enhances its reputation and standing within the community of museums.
- Adheres to the museum’s code of ethics and Employee Handbook and avoids any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
- Shows respect for co-workers and visitors and an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the museum’s staff, volunteers, and audiences.
- Maintains confidentiality.
- Adheres to all museum protocols, procedures, rules, and policies.
Application Timeline
The deadline to apply is March 31, 2023.
To apply, please complete an online application and include the following:
Statement of interest
Transcripts of graduate courses
Three examples of examination reports and treatment records with photographs
(please include any published treatments or research) as pdf documents of no
more than 10MB each
Two letters of recommendation from conservation professionals familiar with
candidate’s work
Please upload required documents.
What We Offer
Our employees are at the center of the museum. As an employee, you will have
access to numerous museum perks including, but not limited to:
Free general admission to the museum for you and your immediate family
Discounted guest tickets for admission
Discounts on gift memberships
Special staff tours and presentations from our curatorial and conservation
teams
Discounts at the museum restaurant, museum cafés, and museum retail and
online stores
We offer a comprehensive benefits package for employees* including:
Medical, dental, and vision benefits
Fully paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance,
and life insurance
Health savings or flexible spending account program
Retirement savings program with museum match
Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays
*Eligibility for certain benefits is based on a variety of factors including
the employee’s regular schedule and tenure.