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Internship in Furniture Conservation

The Rijksmuseum is the largest museum of the Netherlands. The collection contains 1.1 million objects offering a representative overview of Dutch art and history from the Middle Ages onward and important aspects of European and Asian art. The museum receives over two million visitors a year with its stunning building, surprising decor, beautiful exhibitions, lively events and excellent facilities for young and old.

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Details

Location: Amsterdam

Number of hours per week: 36

Closing date vacancy: 15 Sep 2025

Furniture Conservation

The Department of Furniture Conservation holds an internationally recognized position in the field of technical research and conservation and consists of a core team of four conservators. Working in close collaboration with a team of researchers and scientists, they are responsible for the research, conservation and care of the Rijksmuseum collection of wooden objects including furniture, musical instruments, ship models and sculpture. 

Working for the Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is of all people and for all people. You will be part of The Rijksmuseum’s Conservation & Science Department is housed in the Ateliergebouw (Studio Building) across the street from the Rijksmuseum. In addition to the six conservation studios and the Science Department of the Rijksmuseum, the building hosts the conservation training program of the University of Amsterdam, the laboratories of the Department of the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE), and the Netherlands Institute of Conservation, Art and Science (NICAS). The strong collaboration between conservators, scientific researchers, and art historians in the three institutes makes for an interdisciplinary and dynamic environment. 

The position is full-time (36 hours per week) for six months, to be scheduled between June 2026 and June 2027, in accordance with the training program of the intern and the schedule of the Rijksmuseum Furniture Conservation department. 

Day-to-day duties 
The Furniture Conservation department works closely with the Curatorial- and Science Departments. You will be expected to participate in routine studio tasks, discussions about ongoing treatments and research projects, as well as carry out treatment of an object including scientific research into its materials, technique and condition.  

You will work alongside the furniture conservators to:  

  • monitor the condition and maintenance of the collection 

  • prepare objects for loans 

  • write condition reports 

  • (de-) install exhibitions 

  • assist with ongoing (research) projects 

What will you contribute?

We are curious to learn more about who you are and what you would like to develop during your internship with us.
You are:

  • interested in furniture and eager to learn how things work in a museum;

  • allowed to work in the EU (Rijksmuseum does not offer sponsorship for a work visa);

  • able to work in a team;

  • knowledge of analytical methods useful for research and can integrate scientific research into conservation practice;

  • have sufficient knowledge and skills to carry out conservation treatments and are proficient in Dutch and/or English;

  • enrolled in a recognized (inter)national MA-level conservation training program with a specialization in furniture conservation for the duration of the entire internship.

What will you get in return?

The Rijksmuseum highly values your personal and professional development. During the internship you will be supervised by one of the team members. We will give you feedback on a regular basis and help you to develop your skills.  You will be given the chance to work in – and behind the scenes of – a leading, internationally oriented museum;

  • A monthly internship allowance of €550,-;
  • the opportunity to attend regular talks organized by the three institutions housed in the Ateliergebouw;
  • Participation in various events and sports activities, such as the Rijksrun and our summer and winter parties.

Enthusiastic?

Then we look forward to hearing from you! Please follow the instructions below. 
All applications must be submitted online and in English and should include a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae and two letters of recommendation. Applications or related materials delivered via email, postal mail, or in person will not be accepted. 

The closing date for all applications is 15 September 2025 at 6:00 p.m. (Amsterdam time/CET). No applications will be accepted after the deadline. Interviews will be held between 27 and 30 Oktober 2025. As part of the interview selected applicants will be asked to submit a short portfolio on select projects and give a 5-minute presentation on one project. Applicants will be notified during the week of 3 November 2025.