Conservator, Special Collections (2-year term position)

Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Conservation Librarian, the Special Collections Conservator will manage and execute the conservation and rehousing of a collection of Spanish Civil War Posters. This project aims to conserve the posters and publish high-quality digital images of them for physical and online access. This position will report to the Conservation Librarian and work closely with colleagues in the Barbara Goldsmith Preservation & Conservation Department, Special Collections, Archival Collections Management, and Digital Library Technical Services.

The Special Collections Conservator will work cooperatively or independently as needed as part of the Special Collections Conservation Unit in the Barbara Goldsmith Preservation & Conservation Department, located within New York University’s Elmer Holmes Bobst Library. For this project, the Conservator will examine and research the posters to identify media and method of manufacture; determine treatment needs, appropriate housing, and handling guidelines based on current conservation standards and ethics; complete accurate written and digital documentation; execute conservation treatments and rehousing; assist with handling for digitization and storage; and prepare deliverables for outreach and dissemination of this project. The Conservator will establish priorities in consultation with the Conservation Librarian and meet the deadlines set for this project. As part of the Special Collections Conservation Unit, the Conservator will participate in disaster preparedness; response and recovery; training of student employees; outreach efforts; lab organization and maintenance; and other related duties as assigned.

This is a twenty-four (24) month full-time professional position starting in September 2025; employment must begin by September 15, 2025.

About New York University Libraries

Libraries at New York University serve the school’s 40,000 students and faculty and contain more than 5 million volumes. The Libraries supports NYU’s vision to become the first true Global Network University by collaborating with and providing services to our 11 global academic centers and our “portal campuses” in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. New York University Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, the OCLC Research Library Partnership, and the HathiTrust. The Libraries participate in a variety of consortia and collaborate closely with Columbia University Libraries and the New York Public Library through the Manhattan Research Library Consortium. 

The Division of Libraries values diversity among its faculty, is committed to building a culturally diverse intellectual community and strongly encourages applications from members of underrepresented communities. We are proud of our organizational culture and are committed​ ​to​ ​building​ ​and sustaining​​ a ​diverse,​ ​inclusive,​ ​and equitable​ ​organization​ that supports a sense of belonging for the staff and communities we serve. For more information, view NYU Libraries Strategic Priorities, https://library.nyu.edu/about/general/strategic-priorities/ and Mission and Values, https://library.nyu.edu/about/general/values/  

The Special Collections at NYU

Special Collections is a department that includes the three historical repositories of NYU: the Fales Library & Special Collections; the Tamiment Library & Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, and the New York University Archives.

Spanish Civil War Poster Collection

The Spanish Civil War Poster Collection (ALBA.GRAPHICS.001) in the Special Collections represents a selection of posters produced and published in Spain and other countries as an essential form of propaganda during the war (1936-1939) and in the following years. Posters were continuously printed as ephemeral items to raise awareness about current topics and events during the war, when new posters would replace older posters as the days, months, and years progressed. The posters produced during this time introduced groundbreaking artistic techniques and styles that have profoundly influenced propaganda art and the history of printmaking. The over two hundred posters listed in the collection inventory represent a unique collection as many posters are the only known extant copies.  

Qualifications/Required Education

Graduate degree from a recognized conservation training program with a specialization in paper conservation, or equivalent combination of training and experience.

Experience Required:

• Demonstrated experience working with rare/special collections materials.
• Excellent conservation documentation skills.

Preferred Experience:

• Minimum of 1 year of professional (post-degree) conservation treatment experience focusing on works on paper and/or archival materials; post-graduate fellowships included.
• Professional conservation experience in a research library, museum, or similar setting.
• Demonstrated experience managing conservation projects.
• Experience supervising interns and/or employees.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of current paper conservation techniques; history of papermaking; chemistry as it applies to the conservation of works on paper; and optimal collection housings and storage environments.
• Commitment to professional conservation principles and ethical standards as defined by the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice
• Proficiency in using digital photographic conservation documentation equipment.
• Comfortable using a database for written conservation documentation.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of or interest in printmaking techniques and 20th-century printed materials.
• Interest in contributing to the profession through teaching, research, outreach, and/or publication.

Salary/Benefits:

The position is a 24-month full-time professional position. The salary is funded by a generous donor and is set at $80,000 in the first year with a merit increase in the second year based on performance and budget availability. The attractive benefits package includes paid time off, health insurance, work-life benefits, and $5,000 each year of professional development funds.

To Apply:

To ensure consideration, submit your CV and letter of application, including the name, address, and telephone number of three professional references at:  https://uscareers-nyu.icims.com/jobs/14529/conservator%2c-special-collections/job?hub=10&_gl=1*1s31p2s*_ga*OTg0OTQ4NzA0LjE3MzA5OTcxMTM.*_ga_5Y2BYGL910*czE3NDc2NzAxNjQkbzIxJGcxJHQxNzQ3NjcwMTcxJGo1MyRsMCRoMCRkekhzaVBmVVFIM051Z3ZYSnNTNlN6VTEzLV9aSDFEa1o0UQ..&mobile=false&width=960&height=500&bga=true&needsRedirect=false&jan1offset=-300&jun1offset=-240

 

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