[Nhcoll-l] Greetings & Advice re: conservator position description

[Simon Moore]

Hi Paula,

Good to hear from you and I do remember you (from my archive!) and it was back in 2019!

Now, the tricky part as what you have asked me is out of my comfort zone.  Are you on the nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu / nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu ?  If not, then you should subscribe (free) and look out for job listings as these come up frequently.  I have just found one which is quite detailed and may help…?  I will forward out to you in a few seconds.

With all good wishes, Simon 

Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR
Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian.

www.natural-history-conservation.com


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> On 14 Oct 2025, at 21:54, Summerly, Paula A. <pasummer at UTMB.EDU> wrote:
> 
> Dear Simon,
> 
> I hope you are well. I attended your fluid preservation course at the University of Leeds several years ago. I am developing a new medical museum in Galveston, Texas. I work with c. 2000 fluid-filled specimens (anatomical, pathological and surgical) dating from c.1895-1950. The jars (measure several inches to several feet in height). The collections have not been actively managed for decades. 
> 
> I have triaged the specimens and identified those at risk (dehydration, discolored/low fluid levels, cracked jars, etc.). I have conserved some of the specimens myself, however, I cannot carve out sufficient time on a regular basis given the demands of my role as curator. 
> 
> We have identified funds to hire a conservator initially for 12 months. The goal would be to undertake a survey of the collections and conserve those specimens most at risk. I have been charged with the task of drafting a job description, including education/training and salary range. This is not my area of expertise, and I wondered if you know of any sources (or examples of recent job postings) that I can draw on while drafting the job description and posting. Thank you, Simon. All the best. 
> 
> Kind regards,
> 
> Paula Summerly, Ph.D., M.Sc.
> 
> Curator, Old Red Medical Museum
> Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology
> Office of the Provost
> 5.220 Mary Moody Northen Pavilion
> University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
> 77555, USA
> Telephone: 409-772-3275
> Internal mail route: 0428
> Delivery location: L12342
> Website: https://www.utmb.edu/oldredmedicalmuseum/home