Description

Applications are now open for the 2026-2027 Getty Graduate Internship program! Three opportunities are available in the Science department of the Getty Conservation Institute:

Built Heritage Research (BHR)
The internship focuses on developing and optimizing methods to monitor and assess surface protection treatments for built heritage preservation. The Intern will work jointly with the Science Department (Built Heritage Research) and the Building and Sites Department (Wall Paintings Conservation). This cross-departmental collaboration will provide a comprehensive perspective on scientific research and conservation practice following an interdisciplinary approach. In the Science Department, the intern will gain hands-on experience with analytical techniques and experimental design, learning how scientific methods are applied to evaluate treatment performance. Collaboration with the Building and Sites Department will allow contextualizing these findings within real-world conservation challenges, understanding how scientific data informs decision-making. Activities will include bibliographic research; preparation and analysis of samples using techniques such as optical microscopy, molecular spectroscopy, and physical properties testing; optimization of field-based monitoring methods. The intern will also assist in developing training modules for wall paintings conservation workshops and events. More information about BHR can be found here.

Modern and Contemporary Art Research Initiative (ModCon)
The Treatment Studies Research area is seeking an intern to help in investigating and evaluating conservation treatments for modern and contemporary heritage as well as sustainable solutions for the field. This research area includes the Preservation of Plastics Project, part of the Modern and Contemporary Art (ModCon) Initiative. This is a long-term project that aims at investigating methods to prevent or slow the degradation of these materials, establishing suitable approaches to their preservation, and defining conservation treatments. The intern will be involved in several aspects of this project and research area, including researching treatments studies for plastics, exploring storage solutions for these materials, investigating sustainable solutions for the conservation field, as well as assisting with dissemination activities including the organization of international workshops on the conservation of plastics. More information about the Preservation of Plastics and Treatment Studies Research can be found here.

Technical Studies Research (TSR)
The Technical Studies Research (TSR) intern will use scientific research to address questions relating to the conservation and understanding of works of art drawn from across Getty’s collections. Typical projects focus on using material analysis to better understand artists’ working practice or an object’s condition. The intern will use primarily non-invasive analytical techniques (e.g., XRF, FORS, and Raman spectroscopies) and advanced imaging technologies, and, as needed, perform minimally invasive sampling (e.g., for optical microscopy and SEM-EDS). The intern will analyze and synthesize their data, draft reports, and communicate the results to a wide range of colleagues, including conservators and curators from the Conservation and Curatorial departments. Additionally, the intern may contribute to fundamental research stemming from ongoing technical studies that arise during the internship. This experience will provide practical training in the development of scientific projects, help expand specific technical skills, and provide insight into the collaborative processes found in museum research. More information about TSR can be found here.

Internships are full-time for twelve months and include a $52,500 stipend, $1,500 towards relocation expenses (if coming from outside the Los Angeles area), and up to $3,000 to support research travel. 

The deadline to apply is November 4, 2025. Application materials and further information are available at https://gty.art/gettygrad  

Requirements

Internships are open to students of all nationalities. Individuals from groups underrepresented across the fields of art history, conservation, and museums are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must be:

Students currently enrolled in a graduate program (Master of Arts (M.A.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), graduate conservation certificate, or their equivalents for international applicants) in a field relevant to the internship(s) for which they are applying.

or

Individuals who have completed a relevant graduate degree (Master of Arts (M.A.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), graduate conservation certificate, or their equivalents for international applicants) on or after January 1, 2023, with postgraduate activities in their field, paid or unpaid.