Fieldwork Supervisor in Conservation of Wall Paintings

About the Courtauld

The Courtauld Institute of Art is the UK’s leading institution for teaching and research in art history and the conservation of paintings; it is also home to one of the finest small art museums in the world.

At the Conservation Department, we run three-year MAs in the conservation of easel paintings (18 students) and wall paintings (6-12 students), and 12-month MAs in Preventive Conservation (12 students) and Buddhist Art History and Conservation (12 students, jointly taught with the History of Art department).

Role Details

Fixed term (3-months) | Full-time | Salary: £45,088 - £51,413 per annum pro rata (Grade 6) | Contract dates: 14^th December 2026 – 13^th March 2027

We are seeking a passionate wall painting conservator to join our MA in Conservation of Wall Paintings team. The postholder will supervise six third-year postgraduate students in the MA Conservation of Wall Paintings for a six-week on-site fieldwork at Longthorpe Tower, Peterborough from 18 January 2027 Monday to 26 February 2027. You are expected to stay in Peterborough Monday-Friday for the full six-week period. Accommodation and daily stipend for the six-week period will be provided. Other supervision throughout the contract period will be carried out either remotely or held at the Courtauld Institute at the Somerset House, Strand, London.

The postholder is expected to: 

• To provide close guidance and supervision of students in the following conservation activities: documentation, diagnostic investigations, treatment trials and interventions.
• To ensure that imaging, documentation and student work on site is completed to agreed standards and in accordance with health and safety protocols;
• To work closely with Courtauld staff and partners at the site;
• To participate in preparations for fieldwork including risk assessment and timetable and equipment planning; the formative and summative assessment of students.
• To support marketing and fundraising activity by supplying relevant updates during the project;
• To prepare a formal report of the project for the Courtauld and stakeholders.

This role is to partially cover the duties of a faculty at the Department who is on sabbatical leave. This role is expected to spend 60% of the time in teaching, 20% in central administrative duties and 20% in scholarship activities.

Online interviews are expected to be held on the morning of Wednesday 11^st November.

How to apply

Applicants are required to submit a CV and a one-page supporting statement outlining their knowledge, experience and area of specialism. They must also provide the details of two referees.

The Courtauld is unable to sponsor applicants for this post and you will need to have the appropriate right to work in the UK, for the duration of the fixed term contract, when applying.

Advert information