Australian National Maritime Museum – Pyrmont NSW

The Australian National Maritime Museum is seeking an experienced APS5 Conservator to join the Conservation team in a full-time ongoing role and help preserve and protect the National Maritime Collection for future generations.

About the Australian National Maritime Museum

The Australian National Maritime Museum is where Australia’s stories meet the sea.

As one of the nation’s leading cultural institutions and one of Sydney’s most visited museums, we ignite curiosity, inspire discovery, and connect people with the powerful stories that have shaped Australia’s relationship with the ocean, rivers, and waterways.

Through world‑class exhibitions, iconic vessels, education programs, research, events, and digital experiences, we bring maritime history, culture, science, and innovation to life for millions of people across Australia and around the globe.

Located on the spectacular waters of Darling Harbour, the Museum welcomes more than 2.5 million visitors each year and is supported by a passionate community of employees, volunteers, members and supporters who are united by a shared purpose: to create meaningful experiences that inspire a deeper understanding of our maritime heritage and future.

At the Museum, you will have the opportunity to contribute to work that matters, collaborate with talented and dedicated professionals, and help shape the future of one of Australia's most respected cultural organisations.

Find out more at sea.museum.

The key duties of the position include:

About the Role

Help preserve Australia’s maritime stories for generations to come.





This is an exciting opportunity to join a nationally recognised cultural institution and make a meaningful contribution to the care and preservation of the National Maritime Collection.

As a Conservator, you’ll work as part of a multidisciplinary museum team, applying your professional expertise to preventive and interventive conservation, assessments and treatments. You’ll manage conservation work from planning through to completion, assess risks, undertake research and technical analysis, and provide practical, evidence‑based advice to support collection care, exhibitions, loans and Museum projects.

Working alongside Senior Conservators and colleagues across the Museum, you’ll contribute to contemporary conservation practices and help ensure the collection remains protected, accessible and ready to inspire visitors and communities into the future.

Please note: This recruitment process may be used to fill both current and future vacancies. A merit pool of suitable applicants may be established and used to fill similar ongoing and non‑ongoing positions that arise within 18 months from the date the vacancy is advertised.

Selection Criteria

- Demonstrated professional knowledge of contemporary conservation practice, materials,



techniques and relevant scientific processes, including recognised expertise in an area of specialisation relevant to the National Maritime Collection.
- Demonstrated ability to plan and undertake preventive and interventive conservation activities, including the assessment and treatment of collection material, application of conservation ethics and management of risks to collection safety and long‑term preservation.
- Demonstrated analytical, research and problem‑solving capability, including the ability to evaluate technical information, exercise sound professional judgement and develop evidence -based treatment proposals, advice and recommendations.
- Demonstrated ability to manage allocated conservation projects and competing priorities under limited direction, establish plans and timeframes, maintain high‑quality documentation and deliver agreed outcomes.
- Well‑developed communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to provide clear professional advice, prepare technical documentation, communicate complex information to different audiences and build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications and/or relevant experience required

Mandatory:

- Recognised tertiary qualifications in materials conservation and substantial relevant qualified experience in cultural heritage conservation, or an equivalent combination of qualifications and professional experience.
- Demonstrated experience independently planning, documenting and undertaking preventive and interventive conservation activities within an

📌 Conservator (Sydney)
🏢 Australian National Maritime Museum
📍 Sydney