Associate Conservator of Decorative Arts Conservation in Los Angeles, California at The J. Paul Getty Trust

Our Mission

The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks to inspire curiosity about, and enjoyment and understanding of, the visual arts by collecting, conserving, exhibiting, and interpreting works of art of outstanding quality and historical importance and is one of four programs of the J. Paul Getty Trust. The Museum operates two facilities, the Getty Villa in Malibu, which exhibits its collection of Greek and Roman antiquities, and the Getty Center in Brentwood, which displays its collections of European art: Medieval and Renaissance illuminated manuscripts, paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, drawings to 1900, and photographs to the present day (including non-European works). The Museum mounts approximately 25 temporary exhibitions a year across its two sites; maintains an annual permanent gallery improvement program and offers wide-ranging and ambitious programming for its visitors.

The Opportunity

The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks a limited term (2-year) qualified furniture conservator to join the Department of Decorative Arts and Sculpture Conservation located at the Getty Center. The position will be filled at the Assistant Conservator or Associate Conservator level, based on qualifications. The targeted hiring range for Assistant Conservator is $72,380.88 - $95,895.28 annually; for Associate Conservator is $85,422.48 - $113,185.28 annually.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for Getty, without the need for current or future visa sponsorship.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in furniture conservation and in the technical study of works of art, along with a commitment to advancing knowledge and practices in this field. A collegial and engaged team member, the limited term 2-year Assistant or Associate Conservator’s primary responsibilities include developing and executing major conservation treatments on several masterworks of ébénisterie in the Getty’s collection of French 17th and 18th century furniture, in support of the J. Paul Getty Museum’s major reinstallation of the Decorative Arts collections. Advanced training in specialized conservation techniques will be provided through a series of master classes led by visiting European experts.

• Conservation treatment of French furniture in the collections of the J. Paul Getty Museum, focusing on works of ébénisterie, in preparation for their installation in the newly renovated Decorative Arts galleries at the Getty Center.
• Close collaboration with Getty conservators, curators and scientists as well as expert consultants to develop treatment goals and specific proposals. This may include the design and coordination of technical studies necessary for treatment planning and evaluation.
• Preparation of written and visual documentation of treatment and research.

• Assistant Conservator
  • Bachelor’s degree; MA in conservation or equivalent degree preferred
  • 24 years experience in conservation
• Associate Conservator
  • MA in conservation or equivalent degree
  • 57 years experience in conservation