Ref 1414a Preventive Conservation, Environment 12 month Fellowship: September 2014 to August 2015, with possibility of 12 month extension

Location: National Trust, 20 Grosvenor Gardens, London

Supervisor: Dr Nigel Blades ACR

Educational Stipend: £20,000

This Fellowship is centred on learning by doing and will be based at the National Trust (NT) London office, with regular travel, visiting the Trust’s historic houses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland www.nationaltrust.org.uk. The Fellowship will focus on preventive conservation; in particular the monitoring and control of environmental causes of decay. Within the National Trust Consultancy, you will be part of a professional team, putting your training, experience and research and analysis skills into practice. You will learn how the Trust understands and manages indoor environments, and the needs of its historic collections and interiors, by gathering and analysing environmental and collections management data to enable the provision of strategic advice and decision-making. You will have the opportunity to challenge conventional thinking, develop new ideas and be proactive in sharing your approach about how preventive conservation projects can bring NT properties to life, balancing conservation requirements with visitor access needs. Training in key analytical skills, National Trust processes and equipment will be provided. Specific training and work-based learning activities for this fellowship will involve:

Supporting the Trust’s environmental monitoring and control systems by providing technical advice to properties, central data collation including reporting and analysis of temperature, relative humidity, light and insect pest data.

Developing the Trust’s understanding of insect pest impact on collections and effective reporting

Analysing the costs of preventive and remedial conservation measures and help to prioritise the treatment of collections and historic interiors.

Developing consultancy skills through participation in historic house re-servicing and renewable energy projects and reporting on key performance measures.

Contributing to research through data analysis, and preparing reports, papers and presentations.

Contributing to the development of in-house training materials and deliver training to operational and conservation staff.

You will also be encouraged to make use of in-house professional development opportunities and to attend conferences and seminars. You will need to have good interpersonal and team working skills, strong science and/or conservation qualifications and an aptitude for presentation and analysis of the Trust’s centrally managed conservation data sets. Following a successful year-long fellowship there will be an opportunity for either a second year of fellowship or paid employment in a preventive conservation role at the National Trust. This fellowship work based placement would suit an early-career scientist or preventive conservator who wishes to develop a career in conservation science in the cultural heritage sector.

Please apply using the application form on the Icon website only. Closing date: 12 noon on Friday 25 July 2014.

Interviews will be held in London on Friday 8 August 2014, with start date Sept/Oct 2014.