Paintings Conservator, Acquisitions
Tate Gallery Closing date: Tue, 31 Mar 2026
- Part time
- £20k-£25k
- Apply now
Thu, 19 Feb 2026 "> published -
Job Summary
Job Description
We are looking for an experienced and motivated Paintings Conservator to join our Paintings, Frames & Workshop Conservation team. You will focus on the Acquisitions programme documenting, preparing and treating paintings within Tate's Collection. You will use innovative solutions to plan projects and solve complex challenges for collection artworks and ensure high standards of preservation.
You will hold a recognised qualification in the Conservation of Easel Paintings and have demonstrable practical experience treating and stabilising a broad range of paintings with full consideration of the practical and ethical issues. You will have performed condition surveys, prepared estimates and will understand long-term care issues for paintings. Effective communication will be essential, as well as good time management, project planning skills and the ability to work well under pressure and to meet deadlines.
The role is based across the London sites, Tate Modern, Tate Britain and Tate Stores. This is a part-time role, with working hours of 21.6 hours per week.
Job Requirements
- An interest in and commitment to the work of Tate and working with modern & contemporary paintings.
- Professional qualification in Paintings Conservation.
- An understanding of a broad range of conservation methods to formulate appropriate treatments with full consideration of practical and ethical issues.
- Demonstrable analytical and problem-solving skills where complex conservation challenges arise.
- Experience assessing condition and preparing groups of paintings for loans, exhibitions and displays. This should include providing accurate time and cost estimates as well as advising on the packing, storage, transport and installation of paintings.
- Experience documenting and conserving a wide range of paintings to a high standard.
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.
- Demonstrable organisational, time-management and planning skills with the ability to work well under pressure and prioritise workload to meet deadlines.
Job Responsibilities
- You will support the Acquisitions programme, providing advice and recommendations on all aspects of care and use of the collection. You may also be called on to support other programme areas if needed.
- Co-ordinate Tate's programme projects related to acquisitions: organise/deliver conservation input on time and within budget, including providing accurate time and cost estimates for your activities.
- Undertake condition checks, treatments, display preparation and associated activity in support of Tate's programme. This may include undertaking courier activity to oversee transport and installation of art works at non-Tate sites.
- Assess and analyse the structure and condition of paintings, using a broad range of specialist techniques.
- Apply conservation procedures to formulate treatments ensuring high standards of preservation and presentation.
- Prepare, treat, and document newly acquired paintings in Tate's collection and care for display, loan or storage.
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Job Overview
- Job Title: Paintings Conservator, Acquisitions
- Salary: £20k-£25k (pro-rata)
- Hours: Part time
- Artform: Museums
- Role: Technical & Production
- Contract: Permanent
- Closing date: Tue, 31 Mar 2026
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Location:
London
How to Apply
Our opportunities are open for you to apply online. Please visit: www.tate.org.uk/about/workingattate/ to create an account by registering your details or, if you are an existing user, log into your account.
For all opportunities we ask candidates to complete an online application form for the vacancy they are interested in.
The closing date for the submission of completed application forms is 31 March 2026 by midnight. Interviews will be held in April 2026. We will ask to see two strong examples of your conservation work in portfolio format which should be submitted in advance of the interview.
Where vacancies attract large volumes of applicants, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early. Therefore, if you are interested, please try to submit your application as early as possible.
- Contact name: Gallery Jobs
- Contact email: [email protected]
About Tate Gallery
Tate’s vision is to serve as artistically adventurous and culturally inclusive art museums for the UK and the world. We deliver this through activities in our four galleries across the UK, our digital platforms and collaborations with our national and international partners. At the heart of Tate is our collection of art, which includes British art from the 16th century to the present day, and international modern art from 1900 to the present day.