Internship at British Library

Conservation Internship
Book and paper conservation and preventive conservation
British Library

The British Library is pleased to offer one funded internship,
concentrating on book and paper conservation and preventive
conservation.  The internship is funded by NADFAS, Radcliffe Trust,
Bay and Paul Foundations and Stelios Philanthropic Foundation.  The
internship will run between December 2014 and November 2015.

The internship is available to conservators who have graduated in
the last 2 years, have limited work experience in conservation, and
who wish to develop their practical, hands-on conservation skills.
The successful candidates will have a book or paper conservation
qualification(s) (an MA in conservation would be desirable).

The internship has a bursary of UKP18k.  The bursary will be paid on
a monthly basis and is subject to tax.  The internship is open to
those who, at the time of application, have the right to live and
work in the UK.

During the period of the internship the intern will work on one or
two main conservation treatment projects, which will involve
developing a range of treatment options for a collection item or a
small collection of items.  Additionally the intern will work on
other supplementary items in conservation.  Treatment reports will
be written at the end of each treatment project.  Projects will be
based on material that has been scheduled into the 2014-15 work
programme.  Up to one quarter of the internship will involve working
with preventive conservators.  Activities may include collection
surveys, pest monitoring, environmental monitoring, digitisation
assessments and disaster planning.  The intern will be expected to
use a project management framework and monitor their progress
against their work plan.  At the end of the internship, the intern
will give a presentation of the work completed.

Please note that the intern will be supervised by a British Library
conservator throughout their internship and work will be monitored
on a regular basis.

Essential criteria for the internship

    Must have graduated in the last 2 years with a degree in book
    conservation or in paper conservation with an ability to
    demonstrate knowledge and experience of working on paper, and
    book structures if you are interested in an internship in book
    conservation.

    Must be able to demonstrate relevant experience through formal
    coursework and/or work experience

    Be able to demonstrate the benefits of the internship to their
    professional development

    Be able to demonstrate relevant conservation skills, including
    diagnostic, remedial and research skills.

    Good written and verbal communication skills, including the
    ability to communicate preferred treatment options and
    implications of these options, ability to write reports and to
    produce clear treatment/research documentation

    Good time management skills in order to prioritise workloads and
    meet tight project deadlines

    An understanding of, and ability to apply the professional code
    of ethics to practical conservation projects

    Able to work in a team with other professional staff within a
    communal studio space, contributing to the maintenance and
    management of shared equipment and space

    A constant readiness to learn new techniques and treatments.

    The right to work in the UK

    Actively seeking a career in the UK heritage industry

    An understanding of library and archival collections.

    Good computer skills in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and competent
    in using the internet.

    The ability to work using your own initiative.

To apply please submit

    A letter of interest, which should include how the internship
    will benefit you, and what skills and experience you will bring
    to British Library reflecting the list of criteria for the
    internship above.

    An up-to-date CV.

    Two or three copies of treatment records for book or paper items
    from your portfolio that you have worked on.

    Name and contact details of two referees.

    A statement indicating that you are able to work in the UK.
    Official documentation will be required if you are short listed
    for interview.

If your application is short listed, you will be invited for a
personal interview in the week of 10 November 2014, where you will
be expected to present a conservation portfolio.  In the case of
applicants who are not able to present their portfolio in person,
telephone interviews, with the aid of a CDROM or an electronic
version of the applicants work can be substituted, along with
letters of recommendation.

        Dr Cordelia Rogerson
        Head of Conservation
        The British Library
        96 Euston Road
        London NW1 2DB
        +44 20 7412 7803
    cordelia.rogerson<-a t->bl< . >uk

The closing date for applications is Sunday 26 October 2014
NB: Please note that applications received after this date will not
be considered.


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 28:18
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