Conservation Technician Touring Exhibitions

About the role

We are excited to have a new opportunity for a Conservation Technician to join our Conservation team. You may already be working as a Conservation Technician looking for a new opportunity or have relevant experience handling artworks and fitting works into frames. If so, we’d love to hear from you.

In this specialist role you will work closely with Conservators and Senior Conservation Technicians to deliver high-quality technical solutions. You will provide bespoke framing and glass cutting, mounting, packing and transit solutions for a wide variety of objects. You’ll work with both paintings and works on paper, in line with recognised industry standards.

Your main focus will be ensuring that objects from our collection are displayed, stored, and transported safely and appropriately, particularly those travelling as part of our touring exhibitions. You will also contribute to the ongoing care and maintenance of collections on display and in storage.

We are looking for someone with woodworking / machine shop skills, ideally gained in a museum, gallery or with clearly transferrable experience from a commercial setting. This is a practical, hands-on role, requiring confidence in working with tools and machinery, excellent manual dexterity, and a careful, methodical approach.

Initially, the role will focus primarily on paintings, with some time spent supporting paper-based projects. With training and support, your responsibilities will develop to include a broader involvement in both paintings and paper conservation preparation and mounting. While training will be provided, some prior experience of working with either paintings or paper is preferred. This role offers an excellent opportunity for a skilled technician who enjoys problem-solving, working with their hands, and contributing directly to the care, movement and sharing of nationally important collections.

About the Touring Programme

National Galleries of Scotland is launching an ambitious international touring programme contributing to our aim to make art work for everyone. This new initiative builds on past touring success and increases opportunities for the collection to be shared with audiences across the world. The touring programme is also part of our strategy to grow our income to ensure our future financial sustainability.

Work has already begun and we are now recruiting a number of posts from May 2026 to support taking the touring programme forward. The programme will run initially to 31 March 2030. The success of the initiative will determine next steps for both the programme and the team supporting it.

You will help to deliver this ambitious new initiative. This is an excellent opportunity for a results-driven individual to demonstrate their impact and contribute to shaping the success of the programme.

Who we are looking for

To succeed in this role, you’ll need the following range of knowledge, skills, and experience:
-Proven hands-on experience in woodworking / machine shop, operating and maintaining fixed and hand-held wood working equipment ideally gained in a museum, gallery, or commercial setting.
-Confident use of tools and machinery, with excellent manual dexterity.
-Some experience handling artworks and fitting paintings and works on paper into frames preferably using historic or artists’ own frames. Ideally with experience of constructing museum standard frames and designing and making mounts for works on paper.
-Excellent communication skills, including the ability to produce clear and accurate documentation.
-Time-management and planning skills, with the ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines.
Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
-Experience of following health and safety practices in the workplace ideally gained in a workshop or studio environment.
-Willingness to continually develop technical skills with regards to new methods and techniques, actively engaging in professional development.
-Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

It would also be great if you have:
-Some experience of working in a museum or gallery in a technical role.
-Some experience or qualification in wood working (e.g. City and Guilds).
-Awareness of conservation issues and environmental risks.
-Experience of cleaning objects on display.

Please apply directly via our careers portal. Applications via email will not be accepted.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday, 06 April 2026.

Museum Website: https://www.nationalgalleries.org/careers