Research Assistant, Conservator Textile Museum at The George Washington University
Job Title: Research Assistant
Job Status: Full-time
Location: Washington, D.C.
Job Description Summary
The George Washington Textile and Museum is seeking a post-master’s art conservation graduate to participate in the Megalli Post-Graduate Research Fellowship. This Fellowship is intended to support the Museum Conservator at an early stage of their careers in advancing their textile research skills. The Research Assistant will develop practical experience working within and managing aspects of a cross-departmental textile project that explores the synergy between the humanities and the physical sciences.
The position is dedicated to the physical and intellectual care of The Textile Museum’s Central Asian ikat and Anatolian kilim collections. This position is supported by The Murad Megalli Endowment, which was established for the study, care, and dissemination of knowledge about Central Asian ikats and Anatolian kilims.
The selected candidate will focus on one of these collections for a one year term, with possible renewal. They will perform responsibilities related to the survey, study, and conservation of The Textile Museum collections of Central Asian ikat and Anatolian kilims; advancing knowledge through critical inquiry and study of the collections; conducting collection surveys, object treatment and scientific analyses; disseminating knowledge through publications and lectures that build academic and popular interest.
This position will be full-time and will report to the senior curator and chief conservator. The candidate will work equally within the curatorial and conservation departments to enhance the art historical benefit of their work, efficiently direct their tasks and train in the critical nature of such departmental collaborations later in their profession. This position is termed for one year set to being no earlier than July 1, 2022.
Key Responsibilities And Duties
- Undertake a collections survey, under the supervision of staff conservators, of the chosen collection to provide data on future treatment needs and analytical potential.
- Treat a limited number of objects in the collection of study, dependent on scope and directed by curatorial interest and/or results of the survey.
- Conduct targeted art historical and scientific research on one object or a cluster of objects, directed by curatorial interest and/or results of the survey.
- Collaborate with analytical partners in institutions in the US, Europe, Turkey, and Uzbekistan
- Disseminate research findings through various outlets, such as the production of an internal technical report documenting art historical and analytical findings related to the collection of focus, oral presentation to museum members and professional audiences, print publication in The Textile Museum Journal.
- Other duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
Minimum Qualifications
Qualified candidates will hold a BA/BS in a related discipline. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position.
Preferred Qualifications
Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:
A master’s degree from a recognized art conservation program, ideally with a specialization in textiles.
- Museum experience or experience working directly with art objects desired.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written, oral, and visual); organized and detail oriented.
- Ability to work collaboratively with staff, students, and faculty. On-site time will be divided between the Museum at GW’s Foggy Bottom campus and the Avenir Foundation Conservation and Collections Resource Center on the Virginia Science and Technology campus (Ashburn VA); the ratio will be dictated by the phases of the research. Some travel may be necessary.
- Rich understanding of art history; interest in foreign cultures; knowledge of textiles and indigenous textiles from West and Central Asia including the means of textile creation.
- Excellent research and writing skills, and verbal and interpersonal communications.
- A self-starter with the ability to operate with purpose, urgency and accuracy both independently and as part of a team in a dynamic environment.
- Ability to share projects and form alliances with institutions.
- Comfortable communicating with myriad people; professional demeanor and ability to interact with all levels within the organization.
- Exceptional time management, project management and organizational skills.
- Detail oriented with ability to prioritize, manage and multitask; ability to coordinate complex schedules and analyze and solve problems.
Typical Hiring Range $18.63 – $24.81
II. POSITION INFORMATION
Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.
College/School/Department: Academic Affairs
Family Research and Labs
Sub-Family Field Research
Stream Service and Support
Level Level 2
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
Hours Per Week: 40
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Will this job require the employee to work on site? Yes
Employee Onsite Status Hybrid
Telework
Required Background Check Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search
Special Instructions To Applicants
Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status
Internal Applicants Only? No
Posting Number: R001570
Job Open Date: 04/01/2022
Job Close Date
If temporary, grant funded or limited term appointment, position funded until:
Background Screening Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.
EEO Statement
The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.