David Booth Fellowship in Paintings Conservation | Conservation

September 2026 — August 2028

The David Booth Conservation Department at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is pleased to offer a two-year fellowship in paintings conservation, starting September 2026. The fellowship provides an opportunity to acquire comprehensive advance-level training in paintings preservation, conservation, and restoration in a museum setting. Working as part of the paintings conservation team, the fellow will assist conservators with all facets of the preservation, conservation, and restoration of modern and contemporary paintings, including acquisition, exhibition, treatment, collection care, and research. Fellowship activities will involve collaboration with departments at the Museum, including curatorial, Exhibition Design and Planning, registrars and art handling, and Imaging and Visual Resources. Besides developing and refining advanced techniques in paintings conservation, the fellow will have the opportunity to develop and carry out research projects to be disseminated or published online, at conferences, and in peer-reviewed journals.

The Museum of Modern Art is committed to nurturing the next generation of curators, art historians, conservators and other arts professionals. This Conservation Fellowship is part of a distinctive museum wide fellowship program that offers opportunities for training and development through immersion in the Museum’s departments, working alongside and mentored by experienced staff members. All fellows also participate in a core methods and practice program with MoMA staff and invited guests which explores object-based research and inquiry; public engagement in a museum context; and arts leadership and the role of cultural institutions. 

Responsibilities include:

• Conducts examinations and writes condition reports on paintings in the collection. Recommends and executes treatment of works of art and their optimal storage and exhibition conditions, in consultation with paintings conservators and museum colleagues.
• Records full photographic and written documentation of original condition and all stages of treatment of works of art.
• Assists in maintaining galleries and displays.
• Assists in advising curators, registrars, and exhibitions staff on the conservation guidelines to ensure protection of works of art during exhibition, and storage.
• Assists in advising curators on the condition of works of art as related to acquisition, preparation of works for exhibition, collection care, and loans.
• Works with conservation science colleagues to analyze artist and conservation materials, and interpretation of scientific data.
• Investigates, evaluates, and tests new materials and practices used by contemporary artists.
• Researches, develops, and tests materials and techniques for conservation use.
• Assists in supervising seasonal interns as requested.
• Keeps abreast of new technical and material developments in the art historical and conservation fields through participation in professional meetings and reading of conservation, technical, and art historical literature.
• Adheres to the AIC Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
• Perform any other duties reasonably related to the functions described above.

Requirements:

• Recent graduate from a recognized conservation training program or closely related field with a demonstrated concentration in conservation of paintings (bachelor’s required, master’s preferred); candidates with equivalent training will be considered. No more than three years past graduation.
• Examination and treatment of paintings at an advanced intern level.
• Experience with treatment of modern and contemporary works is desirable.
• Familiarity with digital imaging documentation, including ultra-violet, infrared, and photomicrography, and x-radiography.
• An understanding of the applications of analytical instruments, X-ray fluorescence, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy.
• Proficiency with computer software, including image editing, and Adobe Photoshop preferable.
• Preference will be given to those candidates who can demonstrate teamwork and effective communication skills, the ability to successfully manage time in a multitasking environment, and a systematic and methodological approach to research.

Reports to: Michael Duffy, Paintings Conservator

Salary: $54,000 (plus benefits and vacation), with $3,500 annually for research and travel.

Application instructions:

Candidates should apply online at MoMA Jobs. In addition to your resume, please submit a detailed letter of interest and include the name of three references; letters from references are not required. Do not include treatment reports in the application. Candidates invited for interviews will be asked to supply treatment reports at that time; interviews will be scheduled in the second half of January 2026. 

The deadline for applications is January 4, 2026 at 11:59 pm EST. Applications without a letter of interest will not be considered.

The Museum of Modern Art’s Conservation Fellowship Initiative is made possible through the David Booth Conservation Center Endowment Fund.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement:

Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at the Museum, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, unemployment status, familial status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, or any other protected category as established by applicable law, including the New York City Human Rights Law (“NYCHRL”).

Salary : $3,500 - $54,000