Teaching Assistantships

A number of Teaching Assistantships (TAs) are available through the MAC Program, and are usually awarded to second-year MAC students. A committee consisting of Program faculty selects students for these positions, based on academic merit and demonstrated skill levels. For the 2023-2024 academic year, the Art Conservation Program will be seeking four Teaching Assistants for the courses listed below. The application deadline is Friday, June 2, 2023.


1. ARTC 871, 873 and 874 (Paper): 90 hours in total, Fall and Winter terms

  • Set up and maintain a duty roster for students to keep the lab areas clean and tidy
  • Keep track of all chemicals and solvents and supplies, and order same when required
  • Demonstrate basic treatment procedures to the first-year students: paste making, tear repairs, flattening, washing, etc.
  • Prepare materials for demonstrations and workshops, including imaging analysis, and documentation of selected paper objects and samples
  • Contribute to and organize the laboratory manual containing procedures and references
  • Oversee audio-visual support in laboratory
  • Act as technical assistant during workshops
  • Assist with organization, inventory and tracking of paper and sample materials.
  • Respond to general queries from MAC students regarding laboratory practices, materials and equipment.
  • Co-ordinate completion and return of objects to owners
  • Other duties as assigned

2. ARTC 821, 823, 861, 862, 863 and 864 (Paintings): 90 hours in total, Fall and Winter terms

  • Set up and maintain a duty roster for students to keep the lab areas clean and tidy
  • Update inventory of laboratory supplies (chemicals, solvents, materials and equipment) and order supplies when required
  • Maintenance of lab equipment, including calibration
  • Prepare materials for demonstrations and workshops, including imaging analysis, and documentation of selected paintings and samples
  • Contribute to and organize the laboratory manual containing procedures and references
  • Oversee audio-visual support in laboratory
  • Act as technical assistant during workshops, tours and events
  • Assist with organization, inventory and tracking of paintings, records and sample materials
  • Co-ordinate completion and return of objects to owners
  • Respond to general queries from MAC students regarding laboratory practices, materials and equipment.
  • Other duties as assigned

3. ARTC 850, 851, 852 (Artifacts): 90 hours in total, Fall and Winter term

  • Maintain lab cleanliness and also encourage fellow students to do so by encouraging students to keep lab areas clean and tidy
  • Keep track of all chemicals, solvents and supplies, and order same when required
  • Organize supplies and tools in the lab and label all shelves and drawers
  • Safety tour for first-year Artifacts students in first week of classes
  • Track locations and status of objects in lab; update digital and paper object files
  • Coordinate return of objects to owners
  • Lab demonstrations for selected conservation procedures and equipment
  • Assist in supervision of laboratory sessions and workshops
  • Maintenance of lab equipment
  • Assist other students with technical examinations and conservation treatments, when required
  • Other duties as assigned

4. ARTC 802, 804, 808 (Conservation Science): 90 hours in total, Fall and Winter terms

  • Demonstrate and assist other students with equipment or lab skills
  • Prepare materials and audio-visual support for interactive portions of lectures, workshops, demonstrations, and labs
  • Locate, organize and copy readings and visual materials for lectures
  • Collect materials at Science Store at Chernoff Hall
  • Ensure lab is clean by setting up duty roster for students and overseeing that the lab is tidy
  • Propose and develop the content of new lab segments
  • Organize and add to the student slide library
  • For lab safety, keep chemicals labelled properly
  • Communicate with others (companies, professors, and students) about lab equipment, loans, and other topics
  • Contribute to and organize the laboratory manual containing equipment or lab procedures, and references.
  • Update inventory of laboratory supplies (chemicals, solvents, materials and equipment) and investigate supplies for ordering
  • Maintenance of lab equipment, including calibration
  • Other duties as assigned

To apply for one of the above positions, please send a short letter of application outlining your qualifications for the position to: Alison Murray, Associate Professor, Art Conservation, alison.murray@queensu.ca no later than Friday, June 2, 2023.

“ARTC TA Position” MUST be included in your email subject line.