Conservator, Preventive

Join to apply for the Conservator, Preventive (M+ Museum) role at West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Join to apply for the Conservator, Preventive (M+ Museum) role at West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features. M+ is a museum dedicated to collecting, exhibiting, and interpreting visual art, design and architecture, moving image, and Hong Kong visual culture of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Located in Hong Kong’s WestK, we are one of the leading museums of modern and contemporary visual culture in the world. The museum reflects our unique time and place, building on Hong Kong’s historic balance of the local and the international to define a distinctive and innovative voice for Asia’s twenty-first century.Conservation at M+ focuses on the preservation and long-term care of a diverse and unparallel collection of twentieth- and twenty-first-century visual culture, including design, architecture, moving image, and visual art. The team employs contemporary conservation approaches to address the challenges of diverse materials and media, technology integration, and artist intent. This includes detailed documentation of materials, techniques, and practices; addressing ephemeral and live elements; implementing preventive measures to mitigate deterioration; and developing customized methods that respect the artist's vision. Central to their work are interdisciplinary and interdepartmental collaborations, engagement with living artists or pertinent stakeholders, collaboration with external colleagues and institutions, and the use of up-to-date technology for digital preservation.Housed in a state-of-the-art facility spanning 1,600 sqm, the conservation studios and labs are furnished with equipment tailored to the unique needs of various disciplines. Working collaboratively, the international team has specialisations in objects and sculptures, installations, paintings, Asian and Western paper, photographs, time-based media, preventive conservation, and scientific research, ensuring the care and preservation of the collection. Scientific research at M+ encompasses material characterization, preventive conservation, technical and treatment studies, and sustainability practices.M+ provides a dynamic and evolving work environment and our Conservation team welcomes enthusiastic conservation professionals to meet the challenges of managing conservation needs and collection access. For a glimpse into the work of M+ Conservation team, check out this video: Conservator, Preventive ensures sustainable care of artworks across exhibitions, events, and loans. This role emphasizes proactive risk management by collaborating with internal teams and external partners to address environmental risks, material suitability, and pest control. Key responsibilities include managing the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program and environmental monitoring systems.The Conservator, Preventive also supports project planning, ensuring optimal storage, handling, and display conditions. Through research and public outreach, this role aligns conservation efforts with the museum’s mission to promote sustainability and cultural engagement.You Will Be Responsible For serving as the main point of contact for preventive conservation advice across M+ public programs (exhibitions, events, and loans); collaborating with internal teams and external stakeholders to implement preventive conservation practices; managing environmental monitoring, including temperature, humidity, light, and pollutant assessments; overseeing and implementing the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, including pest treatment, monitoring, and reporting; preparing, treating, and documenting objects for acquisition, exhibition, and loan; providing recommendations on handling, crating, and transit for objects; developing and delivering training sessions on conservation principles, safety, and emergency procedures; participating in research initiatives and collaborate with scientists on technical studies; integrating sustainable practices into conservation workflows and recommending improvements; and undertaking additional duties as needed to support conservation and operational goals. You Shouldpossess a Master's degree from a recognized conservation training program with a concentration or demonstrated experience in preventive conservation; have a minimum of 7 years of practical postgraduate conservation experience, preferably in a museum or institutional setting; candidates with less experience may be considered for Associate Conservator position; have experience in providing preventive conservation guidance for exhibitions and installations; demonstrate strong foundation in conservation/material science, preventive conservation principles, and methodologies; be familiarity with risk assessment processes and their application in preventive conservation; exhibit experience in identifying pest issues, conducting IPM monitoring, and implementing effective pest treatment strategies; demonstrate ability to develop practical, risk-based solutions that align with institutional resources and staff capacity; have knowledge of best practices for the storage, transportation, and installation of artworks; have experience in modern and contemporary art, architecture, and design, including knowledge of materials, techniques, and diverse conservation methods; demonstrate commitment to integrating sustainable practices into conservation; exhibit strong critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a collaborative mindset; demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; and exhibit strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills in English; knowledge of Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin) is advantageous but not required. For interested parties, please submit your application with detailed CV and cover letter on or before following date. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. The review of applications will continue until post is filled.Data collected will only be used for job application processing. Your data may be accessed by our appointed recruitment consultants who have agreed to keep confidence of all personal data in not less than the standards applicable to us. Applicants not being invited for interview within 4 weeks from the submission date may assume their applications unsuccessful.All related information will be kept up to 24 months and all personal data will be destroyed afterwards.For more information, please visit or contact:Louise Yeung / /Seniority level Seniority level Not Applicable Employment type Employment type Full-time Job function Job function Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology Industries Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at West Kowloon Cultural District Authority by 2x Get notified about new Conservator jobs in Hong Kong SAR . We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI. #J-18808-Ljbffr