What are the responsibilities and job description for the Cunningham Assistant Conservator, Paintings position at Museum of Fine Arts, Boston?
Under the general direction of the Head of Paintings Conservation:
Participate in all aspects of care of the Museum’s important collections of American, European, and contemporary paintings; provide conservation support for a robust program of exhibitions and installations, both onsite and at external venues domestic and international; and actively contribute to the MFA’s public outreach initiatives.
Essential Functions
Full-Time Salary, 35 hours per week
Salary: $76,186
This position is affiliated with the United Auto Workers Union.
Application materials must be received by November 21, 2025. For consideration, please submit letter of interest and résumé using the online portal. Additionally, two letters of recommendation must be sent to conservation@mfa.org by the respective authors indicating clearly the applicant’s name and Cunningham Assistant Conservator position. 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.
Participate in all aspects of care of the Museum’s important collections of American, European, and contemporary paintings; provide conservation support for a robust program of exhibitions and installations, both onsite and at external venues domestic and international; and actively contribute to the MFA’s public outreach initiatives.
Essential Functions
- Under the direction of the supervisor, design and execute appropriate conservation treatments to a high degree of excellence.
- Document artwork condition and conservation work in writing and through photography, in accordance with departmental standards in the collections database system.
- Work collaboratively with curators, conservators, registrars, and collections care staff in support of exhibition and loan activities.
- Assist in preparing condition reports for outgoing loans and exhibitions.
- Courier artwork as necessary, both nationally and internationally.
- Manage personal workflow to meet established deadlines.
- Carry out research and contribute to scholarly articles.
- Lecture and conduct seminars for both scholarly and general public audiences.
- Interact and communicate effectively with visitors in-person and through digital means.
- Perform other duties as responsibilities necessitate.
- Applicants should have a Master’s degree (M.A. or M.S.) with a specialization in paintings conservation from a recognized conservation training program.
- Applicants must have at least two years of post-training experience.
- Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines without compromising high standards is essential.
- Excellent written, photo documentation, and communication skills are essential.
- Ability to work collaboratively and excel as part of a team and in a rapidly-paced and changeable environment is required.
- Ability to communicate and engage with visitors to promote and explain conservation work is essential.
Full-Time Salary, 35 hours per week
Salary: $76,186
This position is affiliated with the United Auto Workers Union.
Application materials must be received by November 21, 2025. For consideration, please submit letter of interest and résumé using the online portal. Additionally, two letters of recommendation must be sent to conservation@mfa.org by the respective authors indicating clearly the applicant’s name and Cunningham Assistant Conservator position. 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.
Salary : $76,186
