"Special Collections Conservator"

Special Collections Conservator

Location: Notre Dame, IN, United States

Open Date: 2026-02-04

Deadline: Mar 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Description

The Special Collections Conservator plays a vital role in ensuring the accessibility and preservation of Hesburgh Libraries special collections in support of diverse teaching and research uses. As part of a well-established Preservation Department with expanding conservation capacities, and in collaboration with others including curators and archivists, the incumbent develops and executes conservation treatment solutions that stabilize individual items and collections of items in support of a range of current and future uses, including teaching, research, exhibition, digitization, and loans. The position is a regular library faculty appointment.

Responsibilities

• Assesses vulnerabilities of individual items and groups of collections. Specifies and recommends treatment solutions
• Works collaboratively to discern priorities and develop strategic treatment solutions
• Performs a broad range of specialized conservation treatments to stabilize and preserve books, manuscripts, and other library and archival collections
• Prepares written and photographic treatment documentation
• Designs and constructs custom protective enclosures and mounts for storage, transport, and exhibition
• Shares expertise that contributes to the advancement of the Libraries conservation facilities and services
• Engages in teaching and outreach activities to facilitate engagement with preservation and to share expertise related to the production and material qualities of historical collections. Activities include lab tours, care and handling training, and outreach to students and faculty in partnership with curators and subject librarians.
• Participates on committees and teams as appropriate to advance the strategic goals and objectives of Hesburgh Libraries and University of Notre Dame
• Participates on the Hesburgh Libraries Collections Emergency Response Team
• Pursues professional development and engages in professional service and/or research in keeping with the Libraries' criteria for reappointment and promotion. As members of the regular faculty of the University, library faculty contribute service to the Libraries and to the University and/or the broader community and contribute to the University's mission and strategic initiatives.
• Other duties as needed

Salary and Benefits

Librarians at Notre Dame are appointed as library faculty and evaluated on library service, contributions to the profession, and university and community service. Salary and rank are nationally competitive with peer Association of Research Libraries (ARL) institutions, with a minimum starting salary of $72,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience. Notre Dame offers an outstanding benefits package. For more information, please visit the employment page on the Hesburgh Libraries website.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of current conservation principles, ethics, and practices, as evidenced by a graduate degree in library and archives conservation or equivalent
• Minimum one year post-graduate experience specifying and performing specialized conservation treatments in a research library or archives setting
• In depth understanding of the physical and chemical nature of books, paper, and other collection artifacts
• Appreciation for the evolving context of modern research libraries and archives
• Creative and flexible problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a highly collaborative team

Preferred qualifications

• Three to five years of professional conservation experience
• AIC Professional Associate membership designation
• Experience supervising students or interns in a conservation lab setting
• Experience and interest in teaching, training, and public outreach

To apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/181007