Research Scientist -Environmental [Metropolitan Museum of Art]

Application Deadline: November 15, 2014

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the world’s finest museums, seeks a Research Scientist to manage all aspects of the museum environment and preventive conservation research in the Department of Scientific Research and provide support to other museum departments as needed. The position reports to the Scientist in Charge but works closely with the Deputy Director for Collections and Administration. Works in close collaboration with Curatorial, Conservation, Libraries, Facilities and Construction, Health and Safety, Security, Photo Studio, and other departments on a comprehensive and unified museum environment and preventive conservation procedures and policies for the long-term preservation of the museum’s collections.  The position coordinates museum-wide environmental surveys, performs monitoring and analytical duties, provides technical assistance to promote best practice throughout the museum, and reports back to the director’s office and conservation departments, to harness their specific expertise as appropriate on air quality, climate, lighting, insect control, and other issues.  The position acts as the primary liaison between Facilities and Construction, and Exhibitions on one side, and Conservation departments on the other for all matters related to collections care.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

• Supervises other staff dedicated to museum environment and preventive conservation in the Department of Scientific Research
• Conducts museum wide condition surveys and sets standards for preservation management
• Advises and coordinates collections storage planning including but not limited to materials management and advisement (for instance, cold storage for photographs, plastic objects, contemporary prints)
• Sets documentation standards and reporting on mounts and installations, and exhibition materials to ensure that transport, storage and display environments are not compromised by the presence/production of harmful compounds within construction materials and/or case materials
• Monitors the museum environment to ensure agreed climatic conditions are maintained for the collections – including, recommending and managing museum wide climate monitoring system accessible to curators and conservators, overseeing annual surveys, maintaining records of environmental conditions and providing reports.
• Assist with/undertake routine monitoring and testing/measurement of other environmental factors including light, vibration, dust, and pollutant gas levels.
• Coordinates the integrated pest management (IPM) strategy across all parts of the Museum, either directly or through staff supervised
• Attend all relevant construction and exhibition meetings and act as a liaison between facilities and construction and conservation departments
• Other related duties

Application Deadline: November 15, 2014

The Research Scientist is a full-time position and includes full benefits. Salary will be commensurate with experience. Send cover letter, indicating position of interest, resume, and salary history to:

Careers@MetMuseum.org

as a Word attachment only

with “Research Scientist” in the subject line.

Requirements and Qualifications

Experience and Skills:

• Minimum of ten years’ experience in scientific research and research management, in academic, industrial or museum settings, with at least five years in conservation science, preferably in large art museums, libraries, or archives (required)
• Organizational, communication, and team-work skills demonstrated through a history of project leadership, team leadership, and preventive conservation policy development (required)
• Grant-writing and fundraising experience (required)
• Development of testing methods and protocols for air quality and material degradation (preferred)
• Testing and implementation of preventive conservation solutions such as glazing, protective coatings, cleaning methods, etc. (preferred)

Knowledge and Education:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry
• Significant experience in air quality testing, museum environment monitoring, material testing and analysis, light levels monitoring, development of analytical protocols, and development of policies for collections preservation.
• Experience in recommending building and construction materials for best preservation practice
• Experience in developing solutions for light damage protection, corrosion protection, etc.