Internship in Paintings Conservation

You as an Intern at the Paintings & Frames Conservation studio

During your internship, you will be part of the Paintings & Frames Conservation team. The Rijksmuseum’s dynamic and diverse Conservation & Science Department is housed in the Ateliergebouw or Studio Building across the street from the Rijksmuseum. In addition to the conservation studios and laboratories of the Rijksmuseum, the building hosts the conservation training program of the University of Amsterdam, the Scientific 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 makes for an interdisciplinary and inspiring environment. You will have the opportunity to attend regular talks organized by these institutions.

The studio would like to offer the intern insight into the daily practice of a paintingsconservator in a large and dynamic museum in The Netherlands. The intern will work alongside the paintings conservators to monitor the condition of the collection, preparing paintings for loans, writing condition reports, (de-) installing exhibitions, and assisting with other ongoing (research) projects. There is also the opportunity to carry out treatment of a painting, including performing in-depth scientific research into its materials, technique and condition.

Most members of the studio are occupied with Operation Night Watch. Depending on the phase of treatment the intern can assist with this project. Operation Night Watch is a project launched in July 2019 to conduct in-depth research into the painting technique and condition of Rembrandt's masterpiece and its treatment

Working for the Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is of all people and for all people. You will be part of  the Paintings & Frames Conservation team.

The Rijksmuseum stands for equality, diversion and inclusion. As an intern, you will be an integral part of our organization. Gaining knowledge and making sure you feel at home is important to us. We offer our interns an in-depth experience in the dynamics of conservation. You will have a dedicated member of the team mentoring you during the internship, and you will closely collaborate with members of both our team and other departments.

What will you contribute?

We are curious to find out who you are, what you have done and achieved so far and especially which approach you would adopt to fulfil this role. Your joining us is very important for the Rijksmuseum. We are eager to learn about your unique talents and see how you can contribute to our team. For the duration of the entire internship applicants must be students enrolled in an (inter)national MA-level conservation training program with a specialization in paintings conservation (preferably in their last year of study).

Applicants should possess:

• True interest in integrating scientific research into conservation practice

• Basic knowledge of analytical methods useful for research

• Fluency in English, spoken and written

• The ability to work in a team and independently on your project.

What will you get in return?

You will be given the chance to work in – and behind the scenes of – a leading, internationally oriented museum, together with dedicated specialist. At the Rijksmuseum, your personal and professional growth is our priority. We ensure you have the right guidance and opportunities to learn from leading experts in the field. Regular discussions will help monitor your progress and development.

You will receive:

• A €500 monthly internship allowance for a 36-hour work week;
• Access to various events and sports activities, including our summer and winter celebrations;
• A public transport travel allowance is provided starting from 5 km (up to a maximum of €345). The costs incurred for parking your bicycle in a secure bicycle storage facility at the station will also be fully reimbursed
• The opportunity to gain hands-on experience at the Netherlands' largest museum.

Enthusiastic?

Submit your application before February 16, 2025. Be sure to include your CV, motivation letter, a signed recommendation letter, and a portfolio showcasing your conservation experience. The curriculum of your master program is also helpful. Please include in your motivation letter the knowledge and experience you would like to gain from this internship and/or the subjects you would like to focus on.

No applications will be accepted after the deadline. All applications must be submitted online and in English. Applications or related materials delivered via email, postal mail, or in person will not be accepted.

Here’s the process:

1. Once we’ve received your complete application, we’ll review it after the deadline.
2. If we see a match, we’ll invite you for an online interview to learn more about you, your experience, and your interest in this role.
3. If we’re both enthusiastic, we look forward to welcoming you to the Rijksmuseum!

Questions? Feel free to reach out to Melissa Daugherty (paintings conservator), m.daugherty@rijksmuseum.nl.

Note: Candidates applying from outside Europe should be aware that the hiring process may take additional time to arrange visa and work permits. Please rest assured that you won’t be forgotten during this process—we’ll keep you updated!