Local Internship and Fellowship Opportunities
New postings appear at the top of the list, regardless of deadline. Announcements of DC-area internships and fellowships can be sent to wcg@washingtonconservationguild.org for posting on this page.
In addition, the following DC-area institutions regularly offer internships, apprenticeships, and/or volunteer opportunities. Follow the links to learn more about each institution's offerings.
- Colonial Williamsburg
- Corcoran Gallery of Art
- Library of Congress
- Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory
- Maryland State Archives
- National Archives Intern & Volunteer Program
- National Gallery of Art Internships (for volunteer information, call 202.789-6761/3214)
- National Museum of the American Indian Cultural Resources Center
- Smithsonian Center Museum Conservation Institute (MCI)
- Smithsonian Internship/Fellowship Listings
- Smithsonian Volunteer Program
- The Textile Museum
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
2012 Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute Analytical Studies Group Intern Program
Supported by NSF REU Sites Program
The Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute in conjunction with the NSF REU
Sites Program is offering short-term opportunities for undergraduates to work
on research projects with staff members of its technical studies and research
group. The Smithsonian’s Museum Conservation Institute (MCI) is the center
for specialized technical collections research and conservation for all Smithsonian
museums, collections, and research centers. MCI combines state-of-the-art instrumentation
and scientific techniques to provide technical research and characterization
of objects.
Internships will take place during the summer of 2012. Applicants must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate in a university program or scheduled to matriculate in the fall of 2012. Acceptable majors include, but are not limited to: museum studies, art history, archaeology, paleontology, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, ecology, earth science, chemical engineering, and materials science engineering. Basic chemistry and mathematical coursework is preferred; laboratory experience is not required. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. A stipend will be offered for a period of up to 10 weeks.
Projects will be supervised by one of the following staff members in their specific project area. Applicants are strongly urged to contact potential advisors in advance of application. Students are also welcomed to propose projects of their choosing contingent upon agreement of a staff member to advise the project.
- Christine France, Physical Scientist, 301-238-1261, francec@si.edu
Analyses of human and animal remains using stable isotope mass spectrometry - Jennifer Giaccai, Conservation Scientist, 301-238-1211, giaccaij@si.edu
Analytical studies of artists’ materials and degradation using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Raman, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy - Nicole Little, Physical Scientist, 301-238-1243, littlen@si.edu
Environmental studies of heavy metals using time of flight inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy - Odile Madden, Research Scientist, 301-238-1257, maddeno@si.edu
Analytical study of polymer composite materials in cultural heritage using Raman, FTIR, and/or XRF spectroscopies, as well as visible light and scanning electron microscopy - Mehdi Moini, Senior Research Scientist, 301-238-1238, moinim@si.edu
Study of protein degradation in museums’ proteinaceous specimens - Melvin Wachowiak, Senior Conservator, 301-238-1218, wachowiakm@si.edu
Advanced imaging of archaeological objects using 2D- and 3D-imaging techniques as well as optical imaging beyond the range of human vision
Applications must be made on line at https://solaa.si.edu - apply for the Museum Conservation Institute Analytical Studies Group Intern Program.
Application deadline is March 30, 2012.
Selected candidates will be interviewed by telephone, although MCI visits are welcome.
Notifications will be sent by April 15, 2012.
Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute: Ten-week Internships
The Smithsonian’s Museum Conservation Institute is offering short-term opportunities to work on research projects with staff members. The internships are intended mainly for the summer of 2012, but consideration will be given to projects at other times during the year. Preference will be given to applicants currently enrolled in conservation training programs or graduate students in related subjects. A stipend may be offered for a period of up to 10 weeks. Projects will be supervised by the following staff members, whom applicants are urged to contact in advance of application::
- Mary Ballard, Senior Textiles Conservator, 301-238- 1210, ballardm@si.edu
- Harriet F. (Rae) Beaubien, Head of Conservation (archaeological materials), 301-238-1235, beaubienh@si.edu
- Paula T. DePriest, Deputy Director (biodeterioration), 301-238-1206, depriestp@si.edu
- Christine France, Physical Scientist (stable isotopes), 301-238-1261, francec@si.edu
- Jennifer Giaccai, Conservation Scientist, 301-238-1211, giaccaij@si.edu
- Carol Grissom, Senior Objects Conservator, 301-238-1236, grissomc@si.edu
- Robert J. Koestler, Director (biodeterioration), 301-238-1205, koestlerr@si.edu
- Nicole Little, Physical Scientist (ICP-MS, XRD, SEM-EDS), 301-238-1243, littlen@si.edu
- Odile Madden, Research Scientist (modern materials, plastic, Raman spectroscopy), 301-238-1257, maddeno@si.edu
- Mehdi Moini, Research Scientist (mass spectrometry/proteomics), 301-238-1238, moinim@si.edu
- Hanna Szczepanowska, Conservator, 301-238-1232, szczepanowskah@si.edu
- Jia-Sun Tsang, Senior Paintings Conservator (modern and contemporary art), 301-238-1231, tsangj@si.edu
- Ed Vicenzi, Research Scientist (microchemistry/microscopy), 301-238-1215, vicenzie@si.edu
- Melvin Wachowiak, Senior Conservator (advanced imaging, 3D scanning, and wooden artifacts), 301-238-1218, wachowiakm@si.edu
- Donald C. Williams, Senior Furniture Conservator (wooden artifacts), 301-238-1239, williamsd@si.edu
Applications must be made on line at https://solaa.si.edu by March 30, 2012. Selected candidates will be interviewed by telephone, although MCI visits are welcome. Notifications will be sent by April 15, 2012.
Alexandria Conservation Services: archaeological iron
Alexandria Conservation Services is offering part time volunteer work experience opportunities starting in January 2012.
The project involves working in a small archaeological conservation laboratory located in Annandale, VA. The interns will assist conservators with the documentation, photography, and treatment of archaeological iron. The objects are from the Town Center site of Historic St. Mary's City, Maryland. Previous experience is not required, but some knowledge of conservation, historic preservation and/or historical archaeology is preferred. Project team consists of Lisa Young and Sharon Norquest. Please contact Sharon Norquest if you are interested at snorquest@gmail.com.
Rick Vogt: 3- to 4-month project cleaning, stabilizing, consolidating, toning and re-coating woodwork
I am in need of two to four interns and assistants for a three to four month
project in the DC area beginning in early January 2012. The project involves
cleaning, stabilizing, consolidating, toning and re-coating woodwork in a National
Register building in the DC area. A high level of experience in this type of
work is not required. However, a sensitivity to color, good hand skills, dedication
to historic preservation standards and ethics [AIC], and a professional work
ethic are imperative. Much of the work will be done on scaffolding approximately
8-12 feet off the floor. All of the work is on the interior of the building.
As we are subcontractors to a large General Contractor, all involved will be
subject to OSHA requirements for personal protective equipment, drug testing
[we will pay for] and site schedules for work times [6AM – 3PM Monday
thru Friday]
This is an important project and should provide an interesting and challenging
opportunity for all involved. CV, and relative personal information is required.
Compensation is relative to experience and qualifications. If interested please
contact Rick Vogt at fcvco@verizon.net
or call 804-358-1651 Monday thru Saturday.
Book and Paper Conservation Internship, Johns Hopkins University
The Preservation Department at Johns Hopkins University is accepting applications for the Ohrenschall Book and Paper Conservation Internship. The Internship is intended to provided recent graduates of conservation programs or bookbinding programs the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skill to the care and treatment of special collections and archival materials in an academic library. Interns will work closely with conservation staff on current projects, will also work independently on projects specifically selected to enhance their training and education and matched to their skill level.
Eligibility and Requirements:
- Anyone currently enrolled at an advanced level in a recognized conservation program or an apprenticeship program or individuals with four or more years of equivalent experience and training in book or paper conservation is eligible.
- Applicants must be familiar with conservation and preservation principles, conservation treatments and must possess the ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
- Applicants must commit to four consecutive months of full time work or a schedule that is mutually acceptable.
One or Two Internships are available each year, one each semester. There is also the option for the Fall Intern to request to be considered for an October through May eight month term. The Internship provides a stipend. Summer internships are generally not provided, except by special arrangements with the Director of Preservation. Applications are received year round.
For more information see: http://www.library.jhu.edu/departments/preservation
To apply for the Ohrenschall Book and Paper Conservation Internship please submit the following:
- A letter of application expressing why you are interested in this opportunity and your future goals contact information for two professional references (include address, phone, email)
- A resume indicating education (specify courses taken) and/or relevant experience or training
- A portfolio of sample work done
Applications and other documentation may be mailed to the attention of
Sophia K. Jordan-Mowery
Joseph Ruzicka and Marie Ruzicka Feldman
Director of Library Preservation
Johns Hopkins University
Sheridan Libraries
Preservation Department
3400 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218
Email applications should be sent to sjordan [at] jhu__edu
