Description

The Cleveland Museum of Art welcomes applications for the museum’s inaugural Eric and Jane Nord Conservation Scientist. This new role offers the opportunity to establish a groundbreaking conservation science program dedicated to the care, research, and interpretation of one of the world’s most significant museum collections.  

As the Museum’s first Eric and Jane Nord Conservation Scientist, the successful candidate is responsible for developing and leading the Museum’s conservation science program and establishing scientific research priorities focused on the CMA’s collection in collaboration with conservation and curatorial colleagues. Duties include the technical analysis of artworks, the testing of conservation materials, and offering guidance and technical support to conservators to facilitate their treatment and preservation approach. The conservation scientist oversees the administration, budgeting, and all activities in the analytical lab, and is responsible for hiring and managing the Eric and Jane Nord Post-Doctoral Conservation Science Fellow, interns, and contractors in that area. They collaborate with colleagues and departments across the Museum, including Curatorial, Technical Imaging, Facilities, Collections Management, Public and Academic Engagement, Exhibitions, Design, Philanthropy, Security, Operations, and more. They must meet critical deadlines in support of conservation treatments, exhibitions, acquisitions, loans, publications, capital projects and other major Museum activities. The conservation scientist plays a key role in helping the museum move towards more sustainable practices. 

This new position has been generously endowed by the Eric and Jane Nord Family Fund which includes funding for a full-time conservation scientist position, a post-doctoral conservation science fellow (which will be hired by the scientist in forthcoming years), and analytical lab operating support. The incoming scientist will be expected to purchase, operate, and maintain new scientific equipment utilizing substantial recent additional gifts. The department already has a partially equipped 1,000 square foot analytical laboratory that resides within the Eric T. and Jane Baker Nord Conservation Suite, an 18,000 square foot integrated facility with five conservation labs (Asian paintings, Objects, Paper, Paintings, and Textiles), a technical imaging studio with multimodal capabilities, including an Apollo infrared camera, a library, administrative offices, and two preparatory spaces for frames and paper.  The analytical lab is already functioning with the following equipment: an FTIR equipped with a Continuum microscope and Fisher Thermo Scientific iS50 bench with an iS50 Raman module and iS50 diamond sampling station; Bruker 5i XRF Spectrometer; Bruker M6 Jetstream micro-XRF scanner; Struers LaboPol-20/LaboForce-50 Polishing Grinder; Zeiss Axio Imager M2m fluorescent microscope and Zeiss AxioSkop-2 MOT fluorescent microscope. Additionally, the department has an X-radiography facility with 100kV and 360kV tubes, utilizing a Carestream digital scanner for digital X-ray imaging.  

About the Conservation Department 

The successful candidate will join a convivial, generous, and skilled conservation department consisting of ten conservators, three technicians, and a lab coordinator, along with numerous interns (pre-program to graduate) and fellows. The Conservation team is committed to the mentorship and support of emerging conservators, and regularly hosts pre-program conservation interns, graduate interns, and post-graduate fellows with the support of substantial endowment funds; the Eric and Jane Nord Family Fund includes a dedicated conservation science post-doctoral fellowship. The conservation team is an active part of the public program and engages regularly with the museum’s visitors and donors. The department also has access to the significant resources of the Cleveland Museum of Art, including a dedicated conservation technical imaging specialist and an outstanding library and archive, which is one of the largest in the nation, prioritizes collecting conservation literature, and supports a dedicated research librarian who assists with conservation-specific queries. For more information about the department please visit: https://www.clevelandart.org/conservation  

About the Museum and Its Collection 

The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 68,000 objects and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. A major renovation and expansion project completed in 2014 has transformed the museum into a significant international forum for exhibitions, scholarship, performing arts, and art education. One of the top comprehensive art museums in the nation and free of charge to all, the Cleveland Museum of Art is located in the University Circle neighborhood. The city and surrounding areas contain excellent cultural institutions, outdoor parks, and schools. Cleveland has a robust art and culture scene, including one of the world’s finest symphonies. Local resources and collaborators include the Cleveland Clinic and ICA-Art Conservation, which is the nation’s oldest regional lab, along with Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) with its innovative maker space, think[box] and scientific centers including the Swagelok Center for Surface Analysis of Materials (SCSAM) and the Materials for Opto/Electronics Research and Education (MORE) Center.  

For more information on the museum’s strategic plan, please visit https://www.clevelandart.org/for-the-benefit-of-all-the-people-forever 

Responsibilities: 

• Communicates regularly with Chief Conservator to ensure workflow is manageable and on track and that the highest museum standards are being realized in the care and understanding of the collection. Schedules and manages the work priorities set forth by Chief Conservator.
• Develops and implements scientific research priorities in collaboration with conservation and curatorial colleagues, focusing on the CMA’s collection and the Museum’s strategic priorities.
• Conducts technical analysis and materials research to support conservation treatments, acquisitions, collection research, and preventive care.
• Manages the conservation science budget in consultation with Chief Conservator.  
• Maintains the operation and maintenance of the analytical laboratory, including: arranges for purchase of lab supplies and equipment within departmental budget guidelines; keeps lab organized and clean, with all hazardous materials properly labeled and stored; and ensures that all objects are returned to storage promptly once work is completed.
• Maintains and operates scientific instrumentation, including FTIR, Raman, XRF, and other analytical tools; manages service contracts with assistance of lab coordinator; conducts specialized training as needed for other conservation staff; researches and recommends purchase of new equipment as warranted.
• Ensures X-ray license registration and regulatory compliance related to all X-radiographic instrument use in cooperation with Lab Coordinator and the department’s Individual Responsible for Radiation Protection (IRRP).
• Ensures proper sampling protocols are followed, including obtaining required permissions and storage of samples post-analysis.
• Enters all findings and written documentation into museum database and writes and distributes analytical reports to necessary stakeholders.  
• Ensures all technical data are properly labeled and stored in compliance with digital and archival policies.  
• Establishes policies and procedures for safe scientific analysis and sustainable conservation practices in coordination with preventive conservation.
• Furthers preventive conservation goals including supporting preventive conservator’s environmental monitoring of galleries and storage areas and execution of the Oddy test; supports conservators in establishing safe display parameters, including through microfadometry and other analytical testing.
• Hires, supervises, trains, and mentors interns and fellows.
• Publishes and presents research findings in peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and museum programs.
• Leads and contributes to collaborative technical research projects with external parties including academic institutions and scientists in other museums.
• Builds and maintains regional and international partnerships within the conservation science and museum communities, particularly with Case Western Reserve University.
• Communicates scientific findings to both professional and public audiences through reports, lectures, and digital content.
• Educates the public on the field of conservation science and carries out other outreach efforts. Conducts classes and tours as required. Most notably, works with CWRU faculty to augment their course curriculum in art history and museum studies through on-site visits and practical sessions in the analytical laboratory.  Participates in the Joint Program in Art History with CWRU, particularly in the Physical Examination of Works of Art course in which numerous visits to the conservation department take place.
• Answers questions and advises the public, museum colleagues, and private collectors on technical questions when requested by the Chief Conservator, Chief Curator, and/or legal counsel; assists other outside queries as needed.
• As budget allows, pursues professional development opportunities by attending workshops, conferences, and meetings on an annual basis.
• Demonstrates commitment to leadership and organizational values as articulated in the museum’s strategic plan and handbook.  
• Leads and/or participates in special projects for Chief Conservator and senior staff.
• Participates in fundraising activities as requested by Chief Conservator and senior staff.
• Acts as delegate to Chief Conservator when requested.  
   

Other Responsibilities:  

• Upholds the professional standards of the field. Always acts in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the museum, protecting and enhancing its reputation and standing within the community of museums.
• Adheres to the museum’s code of ethics and avoids any real or perceived conflicts of interest. 
  Shows respect for co-workers and visitors and an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the museum’s staff, volunteers, and audiences.
• Aspires to excellence in all aspects of work and serves as a model for others. Suggests methods for improvement as appropriate and maintains personal and professional growth.
• Maintains a safe and healthful environment in a proactive fashion. Reports hazards, concerns, and problems to appropriate personnel.
• Confers with supervisor relating to personal needs that may conflict with professional responsibilities.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Adheres to all CMA protocols, procedures, rules, and policies. 
   

Note: 

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Manual dexterity is frequently required as duties call for the handling of artwork, and operation of tools and equipment. Job duties may involve standing, walking, sitting, occasional climbing, bending, and kneeling. Specific vision abilities required by this job may include close, color, and peripheral vision. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and the risk of radiation, though appropriate training, PPE, and safety equipment are provided. Occasional work outside or in satellite locations may be required.  

Salary: 

Salary range: $100,000 - $135,000. Full-time work is 35 hours per week, Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm; occasional overtime might be necessary. The position comes with a generous package of benefits, listed below.  

Application Procedure: 

Application materials are due by February 15, 2026.  

For consideration, please submit the following materials in English. PDF format is strongly preferred, and please be sure to include your last name in the title of each document. 

• A letter stating your interests and intent in applying for the position and applicable experiences
• Curriculum vitae
• 2 writing samples, one ideally a peer-reviewed published article
• 3 examples of analytical reports
• Contact list for three professional references, indicating their relationship with you 
   

Full-time Benefits include: 

Partner level membership to CMA 
Free, unlimited admission to select Cleveland Museum of Art ticketed exhibitions (two adult member tickets per visit, subject to availability) 
50% off admission to select ticketed exhibitions for members' guests 
Free admission to select ticketed exhibitions for unlimited children, 17 and younger, when accompanied by a member 
Priority registration and discounts for museum art classes for adults and children 
20% discount in the museum store 
10% discount in the museum restaurant and café 
Annual subscription to Cleveland Art members magazine 
Free Garage Parking 
Your employment relationship with the museum qualifies you for free or discounted admissions to other cultural institutions such as the Natural History Museum, Botanical Gardens, The Cleveland Zoo, etc. 
Medical 
Dental 
Vision 
Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
Voluntary Life 
Short Term Disability 
Long Term Disability 
HSA 
FSA 

Requirements

Requirements and Key Competencies: 

A doctoral degree in chemistry, materials science, conservation science, or a related discipline, or a master’s degree in an applicable area combined with significant museum conservation science experience. 
At least five years of conservation science experience in a museum, laboratory, or cultural heritage setting.  
Demonstrated expertise and mastery of analytical techniques for identifying and characterizing cultural heritage materials, including microscopy, FTIR, Raman, and XRF spectroscopy. Experience with multi-modal imaging techniques, including using X-ray equipment, is strongly preferred. 
Familiarity with the types of artwork represented in the Museum’s collection along with knowledge of artists’ materials and their degradation processes. 
Demonstrated administrative experience in lab management, including equipment maintenance and ensuring health and safety protocols are followed.  
Strong organizational and project management skills.  
Proven ability as an effective communicator of scientific findings to specialist and general audiences. 
Broad and deep knowledge of general museum conservation practices. 
Strong record of achievement in the field.