Further details - The Fitzwilliam Museum - University of Cambridge

The Fitzwilliam Museum
FURTHER PARTICULARS
The Fitzwilliam Museum is the principal museum of the University of Cambridge. It
owes its foundation to Richard, VIIth Viscount Fitzwilliam of Merrion. In 1816 he
bequeathed to the University of Cambridge his works of art and library, together with
funds to house them, to further "the Increase of Learning and other great Objects of
that Noble Foundation". For nearly two centuries, the Fitzwilliam Museum's
collections and buildings have grown as a result of successive benefactions.
Post
Summary of Role
Location
Terms and
Conservator of Fine Art on Paper (Assistant Keeper)
The Assistant Keeper (Paper Conservation) is responsible for
the interventive and preventive conservation of prints and
drawings for the Department of Paintings, Drawings and
Prints This post is part of the Conservation Division, led by the
Assistant Director, Conservation.
The department holds some 110,000 prints and 17,000
drawings of the highest national and international importance.
The role is both proactive and reactive and aims to increase
the physical accessibility of the collection to all users whilst
ensuring their long term preservation. The role holder
participates in the Museums wide Collections Care
programme collaborating with other Conservators and
providing advice on all aspects of conservation care to
curatorial colleagues and administrators at the Museum.
provides advice on conservation to curatorial colleagues and
collaborates with them on all aspects of conservation care. .
More detailed information is provided under the Role Description
Fitzwilliam Museum
Trumpington St
Cambridge
CB2 1RB

Conditions
Salary
Grade
Working pattern
Hours of work
Limit of tenure
Annual leave
Pension
Miscellaneous
Closing date for
applications
Expected date for
interview/selection
How to apply
£32,620
8
The normal week is Monday to Friday.
37
Not applicable
Equal Opportunities Information
In the full university year, 41 working days, pro rata, including
24,25, 26 and 31 December, 1 January and Good Friday
(when the Museum is closed) and Bank Holidays.
Eligible for Universities’ Superannuation Scheme (USS)
12 noon Tuesday 4 January 2011
Friday 21 January 2011
Candidates are asked to send their CV with a completed
application form PD18 (Parts 1 and 111 only), nominate three
referees and return these documents with a covering letter to
Linda Brooklyn, The Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington St,
Cambridge CB2 1RB or lmb26@cam.ac.uk
If you do not hear anything by 14 January 2011 your
application has not been successful on this occasion but
please look at the Further Information section below which
gives information on our website where you can find other job
vacancies at the University.
The University of Cambridge appoints solely on merit. No applicant for an
appointment in the University, or member of staff once appointed, will be treated less
favourably than another on the grounds of sex (including gender reassignment),
marital or parental status, race, ethnic or national origin, colour, disability (including
HIV status), sexual orientation, religion, age or socio-economic factors.
Information if you have a Disability

The University welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities. Our
recruitment and selection procedures follow best practice and comply with disability
legislation.
The University is committed to ensuring that applicants with disabilities receive fair
treatment throughout the recruitment process. Adjustments will be made, wherever
reasonable to do so, to enable applicants to compete to the best of their ability and, if
successful, to assist them during their employment.
We encourage applicants to declare their disabilities in order that any special
arrangements, particularly for the selection process, can be accommodated.
Applicants or employees can declare a disability at any time.
Applicants wishing to discuss with or inform the University of any special
arrangements connected with their disability can, at any point in the recruitment
process, contact, Linda Brooklyn, who is responsible for recruitment to this position,
on 01223 764840, by email on lmb26@cam.ac.uk or by post to the Fitzwilliam
Museum Trumpington St, Cambridge CB2 1RB.
For additional guidance and information, applicants can contact the University’s
Disability Resource Centre either by telephone on 01223 332301, by email on ucamdisability@lists.cam.ac.uk
or by post to DRC, Keynes House, Trumpington Street,
Cambridge CB4 1QA.
Further Information
There is a range of information which you may find helpful on the University’s
website: www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/. This includes applying for posts, working at the
University, living in Cambridge and details of current vacancies.
Attachment: CHRIS/PD33 Part 2 – Role Description

Role Identification
Faculty /
Department
Position title
Probation period
Role Description
Fitzwilliam Museum Role Code Number
(if any)
Conservator of Fine Art on Paper
(Assistant Conservator)
Date of last revision
(dd/mm/yyyy)
9 months Grade (completed by
Grading & Reward)
DA0009
01/10/2010
Dimensions of the role
Apart from conservation for the Department of Paintings, Drawings and Prints, the role collaborates with
and provides advice to the Museum’s administration and provides cover for the Senior Assistant Keeper
(Conservation) on environmental monitoring for the whole building and off-site store in that post holders
absence. The post holder also provides remedial conservation treatments and preservation on material
for other museum departments where his or her expertise is necessary (e.g. Fan Collection). There are
also peer links with other staff in the Museum’s Conservation Division as well as conservators and
scientists in other academic institutions museums, libraries and archives both nationally and
internationally. The role requires knowledge and expertise at the highest level to accomplish the most
challenging tasks. The post holder may occasionally supervise volunteers, students on placement and
conservators on short term contracts and manages conservation projects, including budget management
and overseeing the work of external contractors.
Organisation chart
Director
I
Assistant. Director, Collections Assistant Director, Conservation
Senior Assistant Keepers:
Prints/Paintings, Drawings & Prints) Senior Assistant Keeper, Conservation
Technicians (PDP)
Line manager position title Assistant Director, Collections
Line manager position reference
number
Checks required
88642
)
x Newton Paper
Conservator
CHRIS/PD33, Version 1.0 Role description – page 1 of 5
8

The checks required for employment at the University are dependent on the role and/or the location. This box indicates the
checks that are necessary for this particular role. Any offer of employment will be conditional on satisfactory completion of these
checks. In line with legislation, all applicants must be able to demonstrate a right to work in the UK.
Right to work in UK
Criminal Records
Bureau
X
Occupational Health X
Security X
NHS Honorary
Contract Required
X
Yes No
X
CHRIS/PD33, Version 1.0 Role description – page 2 of 5

Role Purpose
The function of the role is to undertake the technical examination and study, analysis, interventive and
preventive conservation of works of art on paper and associated materials, and miniatures for the
Department of Paintings, Drawings and Prints. The post holder manages the Art on Paper conservation
studio (laboratory) managing resources, health and safety, equipment and advises other paper
conservators concerning their work. The role holder undertakes conservation measures on individual
works of art to the highest ethical and preventative standards and is concerned with the physical care of
the collections. The role holder undertakes condition surveys, treatment reports and develops mounting
and storage solutions to improve better access to the collections. He/she advises curatorial colleagues
on methods of production, media and materials to establish authenticity and provenance. The role holder
carries out research based on the collections and publishes findings in conservation and scholarly
journals. The role holder participates in the Museum wide Collections Care programme.
Main Responsibilities
Key duties and responsibilities % time spent/
1 Conservation, technical examination and research of the
Collections
Undertake technical examination including photography and microscopy,
carry out treatment documentation.
Undertake technical examination of works of art on paper in order to assist
Keepers, other organisations, and the public to help establish
authentication and attribution
Carry out remedial and preventative treatments on works of art paper
dating from the late Medieval period to the modern day for the department
of Paintings Drawings and Prints.
Develop new/adapt existing techniques and treatment problem solving.
Undertake condition/collections care audits
Write condition reports, including recommendations for conservation and
treatment of work of art in particular as part of the assessment made for
incoming loans and outside exhibitions
Inspection of works, treatment proposals and estimates for loan insurance
purposes
Advise technicians about loans, including preservation best practice and
techniques in conservation mounting and storage issues, best choice of
materials
Emergency treatments
Manage work flow to deadlines.
Work for other departments, lenders etc
Participates in the Museum wide Collections Care programme,
collaborating with other Conservators and providing advice on all aspects
of conservation care to curatorial colleagues and administrators at the
Museum.
Assist with the development of the Museum’s emergency plan, advising on
risks, handling, storage and emergency treatments for works on paper.
Research into techniques and materials used by artists, using museum,
frequency
80%
CHRIS/PD33, Version 1.0 Role description – page 3 of 5

university and other library and online research resources, which may
result in writing and delivering conference papers and publication in
professional journals.
2 Management of conservation studio 10%
Manage paper and print conservation studio, including the procurement of
materials and equipment subject to agreed budget limits.
Oversee equipment and materials much of which is dedicated and valuable
Advise other paper conservators, students, volunteers
Manage conservation project budgets (when available)
3 Education Activities 5%
Research into current practice, occasional seminars for the public, student
talks, conference papers, peer reviews, liaison with and training for other
institutions, departments and supervise students on work experience
4 Other requirements 5%
Provides cover for Senior Assistant Keeper (Conservation) in
environmental monitoring and emergency response for the whole building
in his/her absence.
Contribute to departmental, divisional and museum meetings and to the
museum’s planning process.
CHRIS/PD33, Version 1.0 Role description – page 4 of 5

Person profile
Essential knowledge, skills and experience required for role
Education &
qualifications
Specialist
knowledge &
skills
Interpersonal &
communication
skills
Relevant
experience
Additional
requirements
Relevant qualification in paper conservation with extensive demonstrable work
experience preferably with accredited status in the profession through ICON.
In depth knowledge of materials used by Artists and Printmakers.
High level of manual dexterity and intuitive skills.
Good knowledge of chemistry and analytical techniques.
High degree of IT literacy, including experience of using collections
management systems, databases and other IT systems and software to
locate identify and undertake research on works of art and document their
movement, condition and treatment.
Ability to write academic papers for conferences and conservation journals.
Experience of imaging software an advantage.
Highly effective communication and influencing skills, both written and oral,
and the ability to develop effective working relationships both with colleagues
and external contacts within a museum/gallery environment.
Ability to work with a wide range of internal and external colleagues in a
professional way with a high degree of cross functional and inter-disciplinary
awareness.
A mutually flexible, supportive and collaborative team working style.
Ability to initiate conservation programmes and prioritise work flow.
Ability to manage work flow to deadlines.
Ability to provide supervision and guidance to staff, volunteers, interns as
required
Sound grasp of conservation ethics
Experience of numbering/tagging works of art
The post requires the ability to work consistently to an agreed format as well
as a highly organised approach to work.
Interest and commitment to the work of the Fitzwilliam Museum and to
participate in the promotion of the Museum generally.
CHRIS/PD33, Version 1.0 Role description – page 5 of 5