The V&A is the world's leading museum of art, design and performance. We enrich people's lives by promoting the practice of design and increasing knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of the designed world. The Conservation Department has a worldwide reputation for the excellence of its practical work, for innovative ideas, for pioneering the scientific and ethical approach to conservation, and for sharing this expertise. The Department contributes to the care and preservation of the V&A’s collections, prepares them for display and investigates their materials and technology.
Purpose of job
The V&A has been collecting photographs since 1856 and it was one of the first museums to present
photography exhibitions. Since then the collection has grown to be one of the largest and most important in
the world, comprising around 500,000 images. The V&A is now honoured to be adding the Royal Photographic
Society (RPS) collection to its holdings, which contains around 270,000 photographs, an extensive library, and
6,000 cameras and pieces of equipment associated with leading artists and photographic pioneers.
To maximise the impact of the expanded collection, the V&A is developing a new Photography Centre
which will allow the Museum to display a far greater number and range of photographs, negatives, camera
technology, books and archival items alongside its headline photography exhibitions and displays. The
Photography Centre will also facilitate exciting activities, learning events and broader opportunities for visitors
and resident practitioners to engage with photography.
The Conservator of Photographs and Paper will be based in the Paper, Book and Paintings Section of the
Conservation Department. The main focus of the work will be the assessment, examination and conservation
of a wide range of photographic objects but the post-holder will also be expected to contribute to the
preparation of other paper-based objects including, for example, prints, drawings, watercolours, Indian
miniatures, wallpapers and posters.
The post-holder will work initially on photographs for display in the Photography Centre - due to open in 2018.
Thereafter work will focus mainly on projects relating to the Museum’s Public Programme of displays,
exhibitions, and loans as well as the core collection.
Main tasks
1. Carry out practical conservation including mounting of photographs, works of art on paper and other
photographic material.
2. Assessment of objects to determine their condition and to produce treatment estimates.
3. Give advice to curatorial colleagues, other institutions and the public on conservation-related matters.
4. Document the conservation assessment, treatment and technical examination of objects and produce
condition reports for travel for objects using Departmental systems.
5. Supervise students and interns where appropriate.
6. Carry out ad hoc duties and assist in day-to-day organisation and housekeeping in the studio.
7. Contribute to - and maintain an up-to-date knowledge of - developments in the field of photographs
conservation.
8. Be committed to health and safety and ensure familiarity with all of the Museum's health and safety
policies and procedures.
9. Be security conscious, ensure familiarity and co-operation with all museum security procedures and
ensure you wear a security pass at all times when on museum premises.
10. Promote equality and diversity in all aspects of your work by developing and maintaining positive
working relationships, ensuring that colleagues are treated fairly and with respect/dignity and actively
contributing to developments that support the museum’s strategy for widening access, inclusion and
diversity.
11. Carry out ad hoc duties as requested by appropriate managers within your department.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential requirements
1. A recognised qualification in the Conservation of Photographs and/or Paper and relevant post graduate
experience of at least 2 years.
2. A good knowledge and understanding of the materials and techniques of photographs and works of art
on paper.
3. The ability to manage work by organising tasks in an efficient and effective way - with minimal
supervision - to produce work to appropriate standards whilst working to tight deadlines.
4. Good interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to give clear advice on conservation
issues and to work as part of a team.
5. Good end-user IT skills including image processing and collection management database software.
Desirable requirements
1. Knowledge of the V&A’s collections.
2. Knowledge of the Museum’s strategic objectives.
OTHER INFORMATION
Hours/Salary:
Net working hours (i.e. excluding meal breaks) are 36 per week.
The salary for this role will be £26,542 - £31,901 per annum. Salaries are reviewed on an annual basis.
Annual leave:
28 days plus 8 days public holidays
Pension benefits:
You will be auto enrolled into the Museum’s Group Personal Pension Scheme and have the opportunity on
completion of Probation to an enhanced pension provision, including an employer contribution of 10%.
Other benefits:
Non-contributory life assurance policy (to value of 4 x annual salary)
An interest free season ticket or bicycle loan is available after three months.
Free entrance to all the major museums and exhibitions in London as well as many others.
Subsidised staff restaurant
Discounts on purchases in V&A shops
Childcare Voucher Scheme
Application process:
Please apply online via the V&A’s website at www.vam.ac.uk/jobs
If you have any queries regarding the recruitment process, you can email us – hr@vam.ac.uk or telephone us on
020 7942 2937.
You will be expected to bring a portfolio with 2 – 3 examples of your work to the interview.
Closing date for receipt of applications is Midnight Sunday 23rd April 2017
Interviews to be held on Thursday 4th May 2017.
Interview expenses will not be paid unless there is a prior agreement.
Comments
Hi... you need to contact the V&A which is offering the job rather than BPH.
Dear Michael Pritchard
My name is Nasrin Torabi. I am living in Iran.
i have researched about photograph history in iran .
i have collected old photos and published them in 3 books..
.. i am interested in to applay for this job .
i want to know is it impossible for me to apply this position because i have just Iranian passport .
because i have just Iranian passport .
best regards
Nasrin Torabi
My cv
-
- NAME : NASRHN TORABI
: May 1st 1962 , MASHAD
Education:
Photography Bachelor from Tehran University (art group) 1989 ~ 1993
Exhibition:
Present some photos in Khorasan photographers group’s Exhibitions from 1994 to 1998
Teach
: Photography teacher of Mashhad colleges of graphic 1994 ~ 1998
Photography teacher in some privet institutes
Photography master in Sooreh University 2001 ~ 2002
Judge of the Photography competitions
Publishing:
“Akas khaneye ayyam” about history of Mashhad photography
“Noghreye noordide” about history of Arak photography
Papers :
“First woman who can be a photographer in Iran” Aks magazine volume 213
“Akas khaneye omid” (Hope photography!) Aks magazine volume 214
“Iran photography from 1920 to 1940” Akasi-e-khalagh magazine volume 3
“Arak history of Photography abstact” Rah-e-danesh magazine
“Mashhad history of history of Photography abstact” Tavoos Magazine
“Arak & Khomeyn history of Photography abstact” Tavoos Magazine
“Akasi-e ziaratee” Negahe sabz journal for Cinema-ye javan
“Pictures form peoples” Negahe sabz journal for Cinema-ye javan
“Photography’s time” Negahe sabz journal
Now I do the project of organizing a photo archive. A book of photographs of the Qajar period in the am.
my site:http://irphotohistory.com/