Paintings Conservation Fellow- Yale University Art Gallery

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Salary Range

$39,300.00 - $292,125.00

Overview

Founded in 1832, the Yale University Art Gallery is the oldest college art museum in America. Today, it serves Yale University, the wider community, and the public as a center of teaching, learning, and scholarship. The Conservation Department is an integral part of this mission, with specialists actively engaged in the treatment of paintings, objects, furniture, and works on paper, along with related research, teaching, and mentorship.

The Gallery is pleased to offer a Fellowship in the Conservation of Easel Paintings. The term of the position is a one-year fellowship, commencing in Spring 2026. The position is designed to provide advanced training in conservation, broadening the fellow’s technical skills and knowledge of easel paintings in the collection and preparing the incumbent to take on more complex professional roles in the future. The Gallery seeks motivated applicants from all backgrounds and values diversity with regard to culture, race, ethnicity, gender identity, and ability.

Under the supervision of the Chief Conservator and Associate Paintings Conservator, the Fellow in Paintings Conservation will work on a wide range of paintings from the Gallery’s holdings, performing conservation treatments of the highest order on museum-quality objects. The incumbent will have the opportunity to focus on the modern and contemporary collection of paintings at the Gallery.

The Fellow will carry out a broad range of activities, including treating works of art from the Gallery’s collection; compiling written and photographic documentation, including condition reports on works requested for exhibition or loan; and presenting on projects and related research. The Fellow will benefit from working in an active conservation department in dialogue with curators, conservation scientists from Yale’s Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, art handlers, exhibitions staff, registrars, educators, students, and the large conservation community at Yale. As a member of the Gallery’s staff, the fellow is expected to participate in activities planned around the training program.

Essential Duties

Work directly with conservators to document, examine, and treat collection objects for exhibition and loan; conduct condition surveys; assist in organizing and maintaining the laboratory; assist with maintenance activities, including dusting, environmental monitoring, and Integrated Pest Management; undertake remedial and preventive conservation procedures; document activities both in written and photographic form.

Position requires working at the West Campus Collection Studies Center in West Haven, the Yale University Art Gallery in downtown New Haven, the Library Shelving Facility in Hamden, and/or remotely should public-health conditions warrant it. The workweek is 37.5 hours with no overtime (8:30 am to 5:00 pm daily with an hour for lunch)

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Demonstrated record of treatment and research

2. Manual dexterity

3. Excellent communication skills (listening, verbal, and written)

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment

4. Ability to work efficiently on multiple concurrent projects

5. Curiosity and desire to research artworks, artists, cultures, materials, techniques, etc.

6. Perceptive, with an eye for detail

7. Familiarity with state-of-the-art imaging tools used for conservation documentation, including digital photography, X-radiography, and infrared reflectography

8. Proficiency with computer software, including image-editing and -management software (Adobe Photoshop preferred)

9. Facility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and museum databases (training in use of the museum’s collections-management system will be provided)

10. Fluency in English language and demonstrated visual, manual, research, documentation, and writing abilities are required

11. Knowledge of and adherence to the Code of Ethics and Guidelines for

12. Practice of the American Institute for Conservation

Preferred Education and Experience

Master’s degree in conservation or related field; or bachelor’s degree plus postgraduate qualification in conservation

Principal Responsibilities

1. Supports and coordinates a range of academic programs.
2. Works on various programs throughout the year; including researching and writing of highly confidential material and working with other departments within the University.
3. Interacts with faculty, students and staff within and outside of the University.
4. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Job Posting Date

01/14/2026

Job Category

Professional

Bargaining Unit

NON

Compensation Grade

Administration & Operations

Compensation Grade Profile

Associate (00)

Time Type

Full time

Duration Type

Staff Fixed Duration (Fixed Term)

Work Model

On-site

Location

1111 Chapel Street, New Haven, Connecticut

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through  their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.