The intern will assist during the currently ongoing Operation Night Watch, a project launched in July 2019 to research and treat Rembrandts famous ‘Night Watch’. The intern will also assist the paintings conservators with monitoring the condition of the collection, treating paintings for loans, writing condition reports, (de-) installing exhibitions, and assisting with other ongoing research and treatments. The department of Paintings Conservation works closely with the Curatorial Department and the intern will be expected to participate in discussions about ongoing treatments and research projects. Interns will also have the opportunity to attend regular talks and symposia organized by the three institutions.

For the duration of the entire internship (fall 2020 – fall 2021) applicants must be students enrolled in a (inter)national MA-level conservation training program with a specialization in paintings conservation. 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.

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

A modest monthly stipend of 250 euros a month based on 36 hours working week is offered. Special requirements are in place for students coming from outside Europe.

The Rijksmuseum is the largest museum of the Netherlands. The collection contains 1.1 million (art) objects from and relating to the Netherlands from the Middle Ages until the 20th century. The museum receives over two million visitors a year with a stunning building, surprising decor, beautiful exhibitions, lively events and many pleasant facilities for young and old.

The Rijksmuseum’s dynamic and diverse Conservation Department is housed in the Ateliergebouw or Studio Building across the street from the Rijksmuseum. In addition to the 6 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 newly formed 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 inspiring environment.

The department of Paintings Conservation holds an internationally recognized position in the field of technical research and conservation of Old Master paintings and consists of a core team of six conservators and two research scientists supplemented by many other conservators, researchers and scientists. Together they stimulate the integration of scientific research into the conservation practice.