Job Description

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston seeks a part-time conservator for Italian Renaissance paintings.

Under the general direction of the Head of Paintings Conservation, the conservator will maintain the highest standards of care for the Museum’s Italian Renaissance paintings. As a senior member of the Paintings Conservation division, they must show an ability to manage complex projects with minimal oversight. Working in close collaboration with the Head of Paintings Conservation and Art of Europe curatorial staff, the conservator will develop and execute a plan for the care and treatment of all Italian Renaissance paintings in the MFA collections. Tasks will include surveying the collections, carrying out technical examination and treatment, as well as overseeing treatments by other staff members. The conservator must have a track record illustrating deep engagement with and knowledge of Old Master paintings practice and materials. The conservator will be expected to actively contribute to the MFA’s public outreach initiatives and to support all Museum goals and visitor engagement objectives.

Essential Functions:

• Carry out conservation treatments to the highest level of excellence with minimal oversight.

• Discuss and supervise conservation treatments at all stages and levels of complexity. Expert knowledge of chemical and physical properties of art materials and conservation materials within area of specialization.

• In consultation with division head, set budgets and manages projects effectively.

• Work closely and collaboratively with curators and conservators to plan conservation projects and execute conservation treatments.

• Advise and oversee appropriate handling of artworks to ensure safe movement and installation.

• Share expertise and work closely with colleagues to promote collaboration, training, and the advancement of conservation procedures and techniques.

• Initiate research to advance conservation knowledge, and disseminate information in the field of conservation by publication and lecturing.

• Maintain standards for the documentation of treatments, including the preparation of all necessary records and reports in collections management database (TMS).

• When needed, assist in preparing condition reports for outgoing loans.

• Courier artwork as necessary, both nationally and internationally.

• Attend seminars and conferences, and visit other conservation facilities to keep abreast of the latest conservation developments. Maintain professional affiliations in appropriate organizations.

• Encourage community engagement by giving talks and tours to a broad range of Museum audiences, including scholars, collectors, colleagues, school/university groups, and the general public.

• Perform other duties as responsibilities necessitate.

Qualification Requirements:

• Applicants should have a master’s degree (M.A. or M.S.) from a recognized conservation training program, or equivalent experience.

• Applicants must have at least 10 years of practical experience beyond training, including significant experience working within a museum environment.

• Must possess a strong knowledge of art materials, methods, and degradation, and have a significant conservation treatment record that demonstrates excellence in the field.

• Experience in developing project budgets and effectively managing workflows.

• Clear commitment to respectful collaboration, listening to other points of view, and finding workable solutions to problems.

• Demonstrated leadership abilities in training and mentoring staff.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentation skills.

• Demonstrated record of contributions to the field in the form of publications and lectures.

• Well-developed organizational, management, and interpersonal skills.

• Must be well versed in maintaining conservation documentation to museum standards, including familiarity with Microsoft Office, Photoshop, and museum database software programs (The Museum System preferred).

• Demonstrated commitment to support the Museum’s values of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) is essential.

Salary:

Salary: $47,627.50 to $53,000

Part-Time, 17.5 hours per week

This position is affiliated with the United Auto Workers Union.

Application materials must be received by September 27, 2026 . For consideration, please submit letter of interest and résumé using the online portal. Please contact conservation@mfa.org with any questions.

The MFA is an equal opportunity employer. The community and audience we serve is diverse, and we wish to foster that diversity in our workplace. Toward that end, the MFA does not discriminate against individuals in hiring, employment or promotion on the basis of race, religion, color, sex/gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, handicap or disability, veteran or military status, political belief, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

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