Associate Conservator, Hong Kong Palace Museum - West Kowloon

描述

The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) is a dedicated museum that showcases the exquisite artefacts from Palace Museum's collections and collaborates with other museums in research, exhibitions, education and public programmes. The museum comprises 7 800 square metres of gallery space for standing and special exhibitions on Palace Museum's collections of paintings, calligraphy, antiquities and historical objects, as well as thematic displays on world cultures and civilisations.

This is a fixed-term contract position of 2-year with possibility for renewal subject to organisational needs and individual performance.

(Candidate with less experience can be considered for the post of assistant conservator)

You will be responsible for:

• contributing to the preservation of the HKPM collections by participating in a wide range of traditional conservation activities such as producing condition reports and treatment proposals which include thorough documentation, providing expert opinions on the condition of proposed acquisitions, acquisitions and works planned for loans and exhibitions. It will involve performing occasional courier duties;
• performing conservation treatments and producing reports according to ethical standards;
• working in a collaborative manner in preparation/production/installation/de-installation of special and thematic exhibitions;
• conducting environmental measurements, monitoring and ensuring preventive maintenance necessary for the paper-based collections;
• participating in the matting/framing programme of the paper-based collections using proper materials and techniques;
• collaborating in extended conservation/preservation efforts such as developing conservation guidelines and procedures for storage and display, best practices for conservation treatment, procedure and the proper care and handling of works on paper in the collections;
• participating in advising and training staff in best practices for the care, handling, display, storage, packing and shipping of paper-based collections and collaborating to ensuring that all conservation related elements are considered to the highest possible standard;
• keeping current state-of-the-art conservation/preservation methods and techniques by reading relevant literature and attending presentations, seminars or training;
• conducting specialised research on the materials and techniques of artists represented in the collection and possibly investigating degradation processes, treatment options and efficacy of treatments, when time and circumstances permit;
• communicating on conservation topics, if possible reporting on research results through publications, presentations, and demonstrations at professional gatherings and learning programmes, in agreement with the supervisors; and
• perform other duties assigned by supervisors as necessary, such as supervising conservation technicians, volunteers or interns.

You should:

• possess a Master's degree or a recognised professional qualification in conservation, preferably in Chinese art conservation and/or conservation of works on paper and silk;
• have at least 2 years of practical postgraduate experience working on paper conservation preferably in an institutional/museum setting;
• the knowledge about the principles, concepts, and techniques of Chinese painting conservation (particularly traditional mounting techniques and materials developed in China) or experience in the care of traditional and contemporary collections of works on paper or silk, or Chinese textiles would be an advantage;
• have proven experience treating and documenting a wide range of works to a high standard with full consideration of practical and ethical issues;
• demonstrate general knowledge of current museum practices in storage, handling and environmental controls;
• demonstrate expertise in diverse conservation techniques and theories;
• be an innovative and enthusiastic team player with strong project management skills, critical thinking and solid analytical, and problem-solving skills;
• be able to work independently under limited supervision and as part of a team, in a fast-paced and continuously challenging environment;
• be proficient in MS Windows and/or Apple OS platform, and museum collection management system; and
• have strong oral, written and interpersonal communication skills in English and in Chinese.