Conservator (Furniture and related objects) – Victoria and Albert Museum

The V&A is looking for a Conservator (Furniture and related objects) to join its vibrant Conservation team.

The V&A is the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance and the custodian of an extraordinary and extensive collection spanning decorative and applied arts. It houses a collection of over 2.3 million objects that document 5,000 years of human creativity from across six continents. The V&A has been collecting both hand crafted and manufactured furniture and woodwork for over 150 years. This diverse collection is unrivalled for breadth and quality, spanning over six centuries of British and international furniture ranging from the 14th century to innovative contemporary design. Examples from Asia and the Islamic Middle East sit alongside more than 14,000 pieces made in the West, from moveable furniture and clocks to musical instruments, plastic and leatherwork, and fragments of architectural woodwork both large and small, as well as architectural models. Objects encompass a wide variety of decorative surfaces including, marquetry, inlay, gilding, painting, and various types of lacquer. The team is also responsible for the treatment of a wide variety of picture frames and objects such as puppets, toys, and dolls houses.

As Conservator (Furniture and related objects) you will be part of the Furniture, Metalwork, Paintings and Frames conservation team. You will have excellent understanding and practical knowledge of organic materials and mixed media objects (including furniture with a variety of decorative surfaces, toys, picture frames and architectural elements), their degradation processes and conservation techniques. You will undertake all aspects of preventive and interventive conservation and have the ability to evaluate conservation problems, develop solutions and produce practical work and documentation, all to high standards. You will have good experience in forward planning, prioritising, and delivering to deadlines objects for new gallery developments, exhibitions, loans and collections care. You will also have a sound knowledge of scientific analysis and techniques to allow technical examination of objects with the aim of contributing to an understanding of their history and technique.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 3 October at 23:59.