What an amazing opportunity for the right modeler
Date: 4 Feb 2014
From: Bart Schindeler <b.schindeler<-a t->rijksmuseum< . >nl>
Subject: Position at Rijksmuseum
Junior Conservator ships model and scale models
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
36 hours per week
Closing date: 18 April, 2014
As the National Museum of Art and History of the Netherlands, the
Rijksmuseum holds canonical collections of Netherlandish fine and
applied arts and historical artefacts from the Middle Ages onwards,
supplemented by important holdings of other European and Asian arts.
Its principal function is to study, enhance and augment these
collections and to present them for the enjoyment and benefit of a
broad national and international audience. The Rijksmuseum, which
is staffed by some 600 employees, was reopened on 13 April 2013
after an intensive refurbishment, and is attracting over two million
visitors per year.
The Conservation Department’s ship model studio is looking for a
Junior Conservator ships model and scale models.
The Rijksmuseum’s model ship and scale-model collection is one of
the most prominent maritime collections in the world. The heart of
the collection consists of technical scale models constructed during
the 19th century by order of the Ministry of the Navy. Such models
were tools in the process of designing and constructing new naval
vessels. These models were initially kept in the
Marinemodellenkamer (Naval Models Room) in The Hague. This
collection was soon expanded to include unique model ships from the
17th and 18th centuries, technical tools, weapons and captured
standards. With the reopening of the Rijksmuseum, a significant
part of this collection is once again on show to the general public,
for the first time in almost a century. Over the past thirty years,
intensive efforts have been made to fully treat and describe the
approximately 1600 objects that make up this collection. In 2014,
this work will culminate in the publication of a catalogue of the
entire collection. The next few years will be devoted to research
into the production process used to create these exceptional scale
models. This project will focus mainly on the model makers
themselves, and on the materials and methods that they used.
Job description: The essence of this position is to efficiently and
effectively maintain model ships in optimal condition. The key task
of the Junior Conservator ships model and scale models is the
conservation of the model ship and scale-model collection. This
will involve close collaboration with the Curator of Maritime
Collections. The Junior Conservator works in the Furniture
conservation department, and reports to the Head of Furniture
Conservation. The Junior Conservator can also be assigned duties in
the wider context of the work carried out in this department.
The main activities of this position are:
Helping to monitor the physical condition of the model ship and
scale-model collection in close consultation with, and subject
to the instructions of, the Curator of Maritime Collections,
such that imminent or actual deterioration is identified at a
sufficiently early stage for corrective action to be taken;
Performing conservation and restoration treatment, and the
associated research, as directed and instructed, also in the
context of any general work that needs to be carried out in the
Furniture department;
Contributing to the development of methods of research and
conservation;
Participating in development projects (including scientific
projects) and conducting targeted research in the area of
conservation;
Taking part in project-based activities, including participation
in consultative bodies and the implementation of substantive and
administrative project-related work.
Requirements
University degree in Conservation, with a specialization in the
conservation of model ships, wood or furniture, or a comparable
qualification from another country that is relevant to this
specialism
Knowledge of, or affinity with, the function and construction of
ships and model ships down through the ages
Knowledge of, and proficiency in, carrying out conservation
treatments appropriate to the objects in the collection
Knowledge of, and proficiency in, preserving the various
materials from which the objects are made
Proficiency in reporting the procedures followed and the results
obtained
Knowledge of international developments in the field of
conservation, as well as of new methods and concepts
Ambition to ultimately make a personal scientific contribution,
by means of publications in this field
In addition to a good command of spoken and written Dutch,
candidates must also have a command of modern languages,
especially with regard to the specialism in question
Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications and
Collection Management Systems (Adlib)
Proficiency in technical drawing (analogue and/or digital)
Profile
Integrity with regard to the ethical aspects of conservation and
to aesthetic considerations
An ability to reflect on personal practices
Possesses social (including working in groups) and communication
skills
Analytical, and focused on problem solving
Development-oriented approach
Service-oriented and flexible
Terms and conditions of employment: The appointment is for a period
of one year, after which there is the option of a maximum of two
one-year extensions. The salary will depend on your education and
experience; gross monthly salary will be at least Euro2.542,- up to
a maximum of Euro3.328,- (scale 9), based on a full working week of
36 hours, excluding holiday allowance and year-end bonus. The
collective agreement for independent national museums will apply.
For further details about the position, please contact
Paul van Duin,
Head of Furniture Conservation
+31 20-6747105
For any questions regarding the application procedure, please
contact
Bart Schindeler
HR department
+31 20 6747324
Applications Send your application (including cover letter, CV and
list of published works) by e-mail to vacatures<-a t->rijksmuseum< . >nl with
the title of the position in the subject line, no later than April
18, 2014.