Mellon Fellow, Advanced Training, Furniture & Frame Conservation
About this role
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston seeks applicants for the Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship for Advanced Training in Furniture and Frame Conservation. This one-year appointment begins in the fall of 2026.
The Furniture and Frame Conservation Lab within the department of Conservation and Scientific Research is responsible for the preventative care, documentation, treatment, and display of furniture, frames, and other wooden artifacts. The lab works with a diverse collection of wooden and related artifacts from across five curatorial departments (Art of the Americas, Art of Europe, Art of Asia, Musical Instruments, and Contemporary Art), as well as 5,000 paintings frames.
The Mellon Fellow will have the opportunity to examine, study, and treat furniture, frames, and related wooden objects from a comprehensive collection of American, Asian, and European artworks from the 16th to 21st centuries, as well as wooden musical instruments. The Fellow will also participate in a wide range of conservation activities with conservators, conservation scientists, collections care specialists, and curators. Research and technical examination of objects in the collection will be encouraged, and the Fellow is expected to carry out a publishable research project. Conservation and Scientific Research at the MFA is a public-facing department that embraces opportunities to engage with visitors, and the Fellow will be encouraged to contribute to community engagement activities.
The department welcomes international candidates to apply and will assist in the visa application process if needed.
Qualifications:
• Applicants must have a graduate degree in conservation from a recognized program or have equivalent work experience
• Excellent written, photo documentation, and communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively and excel as part of a team and in a rapidly-paced and changeable environment
Salary Range:
Full-Time Salary, 35 hours per week
Salary: $53,615.76
This position is affiliated with the United Auto Workers Union.
Application materials must be received by August 3, 2026. For consideration, please submit letter of interest and résumé using the online portal. Additionally, two letters of recommendation must be sent to [email protected], by the respective authors and indicating clearly the applicant’s name and Mellon Fellowship position.
The MFA is an equal opportunity employer. The community and audience we serve is diverse, and we wish to foster that diversity in our workplace. Toward that end, the MFA does not discriminate against individuals in hiring, employment or promotion on the basis of race, religion, color, sex/gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, handicap or disability, veteran or military status, political belief, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.
Company at a glance
The MFA is open. Open to new ideas that broaden our perspectives. Open to every visitor, from the curious to the lifelong learner. Open to new possibilities discovered through art.
Showcasing ancient artistry and modern masterpieces, local legends and global visionaries, our renowned collection of nearly 500,000 works tells the story of the human experience—a story that holds unique meaning for everyone. We welcome diverse perspectives, both within the artwork and among our visitors.
Where many worldviews meet, new ways of seeing, thinking, and understanding emerge. The conversations we inspire bring people together—revealing connections, exploring differences, and creating a community where all belong.
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