Fellowship in Paper or Book Conservation

The Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts (CCAHA), a nonprofit conservation laboratory located in Philadelphia, PA, is pleased to offer a twelve-month post-graduate fellowship in either our paper conservation lab or our book conservation lab beginning in September 2021. The 2021-2022 fellowship year may be a combination of remote work and in-lab work depending on safety measures in place due to COVID-19. The fellowship has the possibility of renewal for a second year.

The selected paper or book fellow will have the opportunity to work with a wide range of materials. Paper treatments may include modern and historic works of art on paper, scrolls and screens, maps, archival materials, and parchment documents. Book treatments may include rare books, incunabula, ledgers, scrapbooks and photo albums. The fellow will work with experienced conservators and technicians in a collaborative environment. Research interests will be supported to develop a presentation, publication, or an internally presented paper. There may also be opportunities to participate in on-site collection surveys, on-site treatment projects, and educational programs.

The applicant should have a Master’s degree from a recognized conservation training program. In addition to a salary of $35,000, the fellowship provides options for medical and dental insurance, paid leave, two weeks of research/professional development time, and a research allowance. Interested applicants should prepare a resume (< 2MB), letter of interest (< 2MB), three letters of professional reference (< 2MB each), and three sample treatment reports (< 15 MB total). Please send these as attachments to the following portal email with the subject line “Paper or Book Post-graduate Fellowship Application” paper_or_book_postgraduate_fell_id_bXP1HTHnfPc7@ccaha.freshteam.com.
Reference letters may be sent directly to jsilverman@ccaha.org if preferred. Also, online portfolios are welcome. Please post a link in a word doc or PDF and send as an attachment, in lieu of the three sample reports, to the portal email.

Questions about the fellowship or application process may be directed to Jessica Silverman, Director of Conservation, jsilverman@ccaha.org. Preference will be given to applications received by April 15th.

About CCAHA

CCAHA was founded in 1977 and has grown to be one of the largest nonprofit conservation centers in the country. Its wide array of services, innovative approaches, and highly trained and experienced staff have earned it a prominent and respected place in the conservation field. We serve nonprofit cultural institutions, private individuals, and other collecting organizations in the preservation of works on paper, archival documents, photographic materials, and books through conservation treatment, collection surveys and consultations, housing & framing, and digital imaging services. Our preventive conservation and preservation services staff focuses on capacity building for collecting institutions through fundraising support, strategic planning and assessment projects, emergency planning and response initiatives, and in developing educational programs and conferences. CCAHA’s mission is to provide expertise and leadership in the preservation of the world's cultural heritage.

CCAHA does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or creed, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff and for our clients.