[NHCOLL-L:3020] Conservation Internship - American Museum of Natural History

[Lisa Kronthal]

NATURAL SCIENCES CONSERVATION INTERNSHIP

The Natural Sciences Conservation Laboratory of the American Museum 
of Natural History is offering a part-time, 8-week internship (with 
possibility for extension) for a student in conservation or a related 
field (July 1 start). The internship will focus on the conservation 
and preservation of natural science collections, specifically:

THE FOSSIL MAMMAL PROJECT:  The intern will work part-time designing 
and streamlining standard housings for type specimens in the AMNH 
fossil mammal collection. There are over 2,700 type specimens in this 
collection, the largest and most important in the world.  These range 
from isolated teeth of small mammals, through large skulls and 
mounted skeletons. The majority of the specimens are small to medium 
sized, which are both fragile and frequently handled by researchers. 
The intern will work with collection management and preparation staff 
to develop high-quality, standardized supports that will provide 
long-term protection to the specimens and associated labels, while 
allowing ease of access for researchers.

THE PYRITE/MARCASITE PROJECT: As a possible extension to the summer 
internship, the intern may also work part-time on the re-housing of 
the most highly unstable of the pyrite and marcasite collections, as 
identified by a past condition survey.  The reactive nature of such 
specimens requires dry, anoxic conditions for long-term preservation. 
The intern would work with scientific staff and conservators in 
designing and manufacturing such housings.

A stipend will be provided as support over the internship period. 
Interested parties should email a CV and cover letter to be received 
no later than April 28, 2006 to:

Lisa Kronthal
kronth at amnh.org

-- 
Lisa Kronthal
Conservator of Natural Sciences Collections
Office of the Associate Dean of Science for Collections
American Museum of Natural History