Paintings Conservation Fellow

Academic Level: Graduate, Conservation
Supervisor: Conservator
Department: Paintings Conservation
Dates of Fellowship: ASAP
Term: 1 year, potentially renewable for a second year

Position Description

The Conservation Department at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), invites applications for a Paintings Conservation Fellow. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to work within a fast-paced and dynamic environment, treating a wide range of Modern and Contemporary paintings comprehensively, from preventive conservation to interventive treatments for a large private collection housed within the MFAH collection.

The fellowship is designed to provide hands-on experience in advanced conservation practice, supporting the care, treatment, and long-term preservation of paintings across a wide range of Modern and Contemporary Masters. The Fellow will work closely under the supervision of MFAH Paintings Conservators and collaborate with colleagues in the broader Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation Center for Conservation.

The MFAH houses an encyclopedic collection of nearly 80,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of art. The recent expansion of the Museum created one of the most comprehensive conservation facilities in the United States, including state-of-the-art labs for Paintings, Objects and Sculpture, Paper, Photography, Textiles, Time-based Media, and Conservation Science, as well as Imaging, Matting, and Framing studios.

What You’ll Experience

You will be part of a team that is deeply grounded in the values of curiosity, transparency, and shared responsibility, with a commitment to advancing conservation as both a discipline and a collaborative museum practice. Fellows will be encouraged to contribute meaningfully to treatment, research, and collections care, while engaging with conservators, curators, scientists, collections staff, and educators. This environment emphasizes generosity of knowledge, humility, and respect for diverse perspectives.

What You’ll learn

This fellowship emphasizes learning through practice in a supportive and collaborative environment. You will:

• Gain extensive hands-on experience in painting conservation, developing agility and confidence in treatment.
• Learn to make quick, informed decisions in the context of fast-paced treatments.
• Develop a nimble hand and mind, trained to adapt to a wide variety of conservation challenges.
• Hone your ability to balance preventive, structural, and interventive approaches.
• Benefit from close supervision and mentorship, with guidance that encourages growth while building independence.
• Strengthen collaborative skills by working alongside conservators, scientists, curators, and collections staff.

This position is especially suited for those seeking intensive treatment experience, with less emphasis on the technical study of art history and a greater focus on the practical demands of conservation work.

Responsibilities

• Perform conservation treatments on paintings ranging from minor stabilization and cleaning to major structural work.
• Document all work to the highest professional standards, including written and photographic records.
• Participate in departmental activities, including lab meetings, exhibition preparation, and professional presentations.

Requirements

The candidate is a recent graduate of a recognized painting conservation graduate program. Previous conservation experience and internships in painting conservation are preferred. Demonstrated ability to carry out treatments with precision and care, as well as to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

Must be legally eligible to work in the United States.

Application

Application materials must be received by November 21, 2025, with interviews conducted shortly thereafter.

For consideration, please submit the following materials:

• A letter stating your interests and intent in applying for the fellowship, including a description of previous conservation experience and internships.
• Curriculum vitae.
• An online portfolio (preferred).