Internships

2025 – 2026 Conservation Graduate Student Internship
Staff Mentor: Casey Mallinckrodt, Head Conservator 
Start Date: Flexible in the 2025 – 2026 Academic Year
End Date: 3 to 9 months, a minimum of 3 months from start date
Length of Internship: Up to 9 months, minimum of 3 months Duration: Up to 9 months, a minimum of 3 months from start date 
Schedule: 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday, 8:30 – 5 p.m. 
Housing: Interns are responsible for finding and securing their housing 
Stipend: 40 hours a week x $752.40 a week for the duration of the agreed-upon internship duration
Application Deadline: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis as received and must be submitted online.

For internships that are six months or longer, funds will be available toward travel to one conference, and conditionally available for research and professional development. 

The Avenir Conservation Center (ACC) is pleased to announce an internship in cultural heritage conservation for a third or fourth-year graduate student enrolled in a master’s degree program in conservation. 

The Conservation Center is responsible for the preservation and care of the collections with a primary focus on Anthropology collections. ACC is also carrying out long-term, in-depth conservation-curatorial projects that often include collaboration with Indigenous community members for the shared stewardship of their culture heritage. 

We are seeking intern-colleagues who embody curiosity, enthusiasm, and a keen interest in collaborative work with conservators, curators, scholars, and community members. The intern will support all aspects of conservation related to the care and study of Anthropology collections and may work with other science division collections, depending on interest. The intern will be a full member of the conservation team and the wider DMNS community.

To apply complete an Internship Application which include a form to submit a letter of interest, a current resume, names and contact information for three references, and one example of a conservation treatment.  Applications will be considered on a rolling basis as received and must be submitted online.

Current Conservation Projects

• Deinstallation of the Native American Indigenous Cultures Hall in consultation with related communities
• Study, conservation, and exhibition of select items from the museum’s Southern Plains Beadwork collections in collaboration with related communities in Denver and in Oklahoma
• Evaluation and study of the museum’s collections of textiles of the Americas 
• Conservation and analysis of archaeological wall paintings and excavated materials at a Moche site in Peru

Ongoing Work

• Preventive conservation activities, such as integrated pest management, environmental monitoring, and testing collections materials for hazardous residues.
• Object examination and documentation for incoming and outgoing loans, and exhibits.

The conservation lab staff includes three object conservators, a textile conservator, and a conservation assistant. The team works in close collaboration with anthropology and archaeology curators, collections staff and other science division colleagues, and museum staff. 

The Avenir Conservation Center is located in the Museum and has office spaces, work benches, and is equipped with a portable XRF, FTIR/Micro-FTIR, a light microscope and has capacity for digital imaging. There is a small separate lab for handling chemicals. 

The Anthropology collections are varied but have greater depth in Indigenous cultural materials from North America and textiles of the Americas. There are over 4 million objects, samples, and materials in the DMNS collections.

Intern Responsibilities 
Specific tasks will be determined based on the intern’s interests and the Center’s needs.

• Examine items for projects and loans, and prepare written and photographic documentation 
• Undertake research necessary to support conservation treatments, to propose treatments and execute treatments under supervision 
• Assist with preventive conservation including integrated pest management
• Assist in the oversight of volunteers
• Participate in public presentations and tours
• Performing other duties as appropriate 

Expectations

• The intern will participate in all activities in a professional manner, including protecting the confidentiality of museum records and information shared by community collaborators.
• The intern will conduct or assist with a research project that may lead to a professional publication or presentation. 

Our practices align with the American Institute for Conservation Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice, and we are committed to actively embracing the Denver Museum of Nature & Science's DEAI strategy.
 
Minimum Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a recognized art conservation graduate program that requires an internship
• Focus on objects conservation with a strong interest in the conservation of material culture and/or natural science collections.
• Facility using Microsoft 365 (Office Suite) and Adobe Photoshop
• Evidence of writing ability and hand skills
• Ability to work within and contribute to a collaborative team

Applications are encouraged by individuals historically underrepresented in the conservation and museum fields.

Mentor
Casey Mallinckrodt
Head Conservator

Schedule: 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday, 8:30 – 5 p.m
Up to 9 months, a minimum of 3 months from start date 

Stipend 
40 hours a week x $752.40 a week for the duration of the agreed-upon internship duration

Application Deadline 
The application will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, December 20, 2024

Application Instructions 
If you have not previously applied to, interned at, or volunteered at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, click on the blue box below titled Internship Application to create an account and complete the steps below.

1. Create an account
2. Update Your Profile
3. Select the 2025-2026 Conservation Graduate Internship position
4. Review the position description
5. Navigate to the Prerequisites section at the bottom of the form
6. Within the Prerequisites section, click on 2025-2026 Conservation Graduate Internship
7. Upload your cover letter, resume/CV, submit 3 references and 1 completed condition report specifically for this internship
8. Last Step! Apply for the internship by selecting the position again using the bottom Apply Now blue button at the bottom of the form.

Avenir Conservation Center Vision and Mission

Vision
The newly established Avenir Conservation Center is committed to compassionate and scholarly conservation initiatives that are deeply rooted in ethical practice and in shared learning. We strive to model excellence as well as decenter historical perspectives on ownership, care, and preservation of belongings housed in museum collections by partnering with originating and descendant communities to amplify their beliefs and desires. We resolve to honor diverse cultural protocols during all phases of our work.  

Mission 
Develop a facility that generates collaborative and innovative research and collections care; serves as a resource for other institutions and individuals; and mentors a new generation of conservators and museum professionals from diverse and wide-reaching backgrounds. We will join the forward-thinking people and organizations that model the changes we embrace. 

Start date: May 15, 2025
Duration: 400 hours
Schedule: Hours are Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Stipend: $7,524 for 400 hours
Schedule: Monday — Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Housing: Interns are responsible for finding and securing their housing
Number of Positions: 3 positions 
Application Deadline: Applications are to be reviewed on a rolling basis until filled

Three Indigenous Science Internships are offered to currently enrolled or recently graduated (within 2 years) undergraduate OR graduate students. The internship will provide participants with the opportunity to assist Museum staff in the deinstallation of the North American Indian Cultures Hall (NAICH). This will include auditing case contents, completing deinstallation pre-assessments, safely moving objects, working with tribal representatives and community partners, assisting conservation staff in developing condition evaluations and documentation, creating custom storage mounts, and rehousing collection items in permanent storage. The applicant must demonstrate an interest in engaging with Indigenous communities. We are looking for students or recent graduates with an interest in cultural heritage conservation, anthropology, archaeology, art, museums, or museum collections.

Learning Objective

The Interns will:

• Assist curators, conservators, and collections managers in all phases of the deinstallation of NAICH
• Gain an understanding of the fields of museum curation, conservation, and collections management
• Receive training in object handling protocols, lab and workshop safety
• Learn best practices for conservation examination and documentation
• Become familiar with collaborative practice in engaging with originating and descendant communities
• Learn how information is documented, archived, and stored for the project
• Learn best practices for honoring cultural care protocols and rehousing cultural belongings in collections storage
• Conduct independent, object-based research on permanent collection items

Responsibilities

• With supervision, complete examination of collection items to detect and record signs of physical, chemical and biological deterioration  
• Participate in collaborative visits with tribal representatives  
• Use a collections database system to enter data and catalog information
• Digital photography and image processing of collections 
• Other opportunities may include some public programming as it relates to collections, such as assisting with collections open houses, tours, or other events where collections are accessible  
• Handle collection items as instructed by conservators and collections staff
• Create custom housing for some items including boxes and 3-D mounts
• Follow written instructions and document new workflows
• Conduct work within the safety guidelines of the Museum, ensuring personal safety and the safety and security of the collections
• Maintain prompt and frequent communication with supervisors; ensuring that instructions are understood and followed; communicate problems immediately

Qualifications
Internships are offered to currently enrolled or recently graduated undergraduate or graduate-level students. The applicant must demonstrate an interest in engaging with Indigenous communities. We are looking for students or recent graduates with an interest in cultural heritage conservation, anthropology, archaeology, art, museums, or museum collections.

Preferred Skills  

• Must demonstrate strong attention to detail
• Problem-solving with a logical, methodical, and intuitive approach
• Communication skills and organizational skills 
• Strong ability to multitask
• Enthusiasm to work as part of a team and willing to take direction from supervisor 
• Work schedule to fall within Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., with flexibility within those days and times
• Comply with ethical practices of collections, conservation, and curatorial

Working Conditions

• Interns will be instructed in required techniques and best practices as appropriate
• Standing or sitting for extended periods of time may be necessary
• Knowledge of safely using or helping others climb ladders
• Ability to lift 30 lbs. Some boxes may weigh upwards of 30 lbs.
• Ability to safely work with sharp hand tools and implements

Schedule
Start Date: May 15, 2025. The end date is determined by the completion of total hours 
Monday — Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Application Deadline 
Applications are to be reviewed on a rolling basis until filled

Notification Dates 
Interviews and offers will be made by TBD

Stipend 
$7,524 for 400 hours

Staff Mentors

Johnny Gordon
Collections Assistant

Erika Heacock
Assistant Collections Manager

Michele Koons
Director of Anthropology, Curator of Archaeology

Casey Mallinckrodt
Head Conservator

Chris Patrello
Curator of Anthropology

Angela Rueda
Collections Manager

Megan Salas
Exhibits Conservator

Application Instructions 
If you have not previously applied to, interned at, or volunteered at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, click on the blue box below titled Internship Application to create an account and complete the steps below.

1. Create an account
2. Update Your Profile
3. Select the Anthropology Indigenous Science Internship position
4. Review the position description
5. Navigate to the Prerequisites section at the bottom of the form
6. Within the Prerequisites section, click on Anthropology Indigenous Science Internship
7. Upload your cover letter, resume/CV specifically for this internship
8. Last Step! Apply for the internship by selecting the position again using the bottom Apply Now blue button at the bottom of the form.

Questions?

For questions about the application contact [email protected] or 303-370-8345. 
For questions about the internship contact [email protected]

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science hosts a rigorous field paleontology program that supports national and international curatorial research. Dinosaurs comprise nearly 80% of the fossils collected and prepared in the Earth Sciences Preparation Labs; however, crocodilians, turtles, mammals, and paleobotanical specimens are also integrated into the workflow. The Department of Earth Sciences (DES) oversees three preparation labs, two behind-the-scenes and one visible to museum guests as part of the Museum’s permanent Prehistoric Journey exhibit. Each lab specializes in specific preparation activities, including mechanical preparation, micro-preparation, molding and casting, air abrasion, archival cradle construction, preparation of exceptionally large vertebrate fossils, and rock billet cutting and embedding. 

Interns will learn and participate in the following activities:

• Prepare and stabilize vertebrate fossils using specialized tools, equipment, and chemicals
• Build archival cradles for oversize specimens to be used for long-term storage in the collection
• Assist with the management of supplies and equipment for the Earth Science Department
• Collaborate with other interns, lab volunteers, and Museum staff on special projects
• Support fieldwork logistics; participate in regional fieldwork
• Provide direct assistance to DES collections staff, curators, and preparators when necessary.
• Participate in public outreach programs such as Science on the Spot, summer camp experiences, Museum Member Open House, Behind-the-Scenes, etc.

Qualifications 

• Must have a passion for the natural sciences and an interest in pursuing a career in museums
• Applicants must be at least an undergraduate and have completed at least two semesters by the start of the internship
• Strong attention to detail, patience, and fine motor skills; excellent hand-eye coordination.
• Positive attitude and flexibility
• Ability to work collaboratively with Museum staff and volunteers
• Organized; ability to self-start and maintain a balance between several projects
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
  Ability to lift 50 lbs.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite products

Mentors

• Natalie Toth
  Chief Fossil Preparator
• Salvador Bastien 
  Fossil Preparator
• Sadie Sherman
  K-Pg Boundary Project Preparator
• Evan Tamez-Galvan 
  Jurassic Giants Preparator
• Alex Polich
  Teen Rex Fossil Preparator

Application Instructions 
If you have not previously applied, interned, or volunteered at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, click on the blue box below-titled Internships for School Credit Application to create an account and complete the steps below.

If you have previously applied, interned, or volunteered at DMNS please contact [email protected] to have your account reset.

Questions?

For questions about internships for school credit contact [email protected]

For question about the application or to have your account reset contact [email protected]