Archaeological Conservation Summer Internship, Archaeological Exploration of Sardis - Summer 2026, Summer 2027
Deadline: October 6, 2025
The Harvard-Cornell-led Archaeological Exploration of Sardis invites applicants for a two-year summer internship working as part of the conservation team at Sardis, Turkey. The position spans the eleven weeks of the 2026 summer excavation season (beginning of June 2026 to mid-August 2026) and then again for the eleven-week 2027 summer excavation season (beginning of June 2027 to mid-August 2027). Commitment to participate in both excavation seasons is required.
The conservation team at Sardis works with other specialists including archaeologists, architects, and recorders, to support the excavation through the conservation of excavated finds and various site maintenance projects. The materials excavated at Sardis date from the Bronze Age, Lydian, Persian, Hellenistic, Roman, Late Antique, and Byzantine periods, and include ceramics, stone, wall painting, copper alloys, iron alloys, lead, precious metals, glass, and bone/ivory artifacts. Under the supervision and guidance of a team of senior and supervising conservators, interns will learn and carry out a variety of conservation activities both in the lab and in the field, including lifting, cleaning, stabilization, reconstruction, examination and technical analysis, as well as written and image-based documentation. The Sardis conservation team also supports the long-term care of an on-site collection of artifacts excavated since 1958 through re-treatment, rehousing, and preventive conservation. More information on the conservation activities at Sardis can be found here.
Applicants must currently be enrolled in a graduate-level conservation program or equivalent at the start of the internship. This position is not paid, but travel to-and-from Turkey as well as visa expenses are covered, lodging and meals are provided, and interns will be granted a stipend for travel within Turkey on their days off. Interns are required to provide evidence of or obtain their own medical insurance for the duration of their internship.
Successful applicants demonstrate engagement with archaeological conservation in the field, understanding of the historic significance of the site, and its current research questions. Turkish language skills are not required to apply, but applicants should demonstrate the ability and desire to thoughtfully engage with the local workforce and communities.
To apply, please send a curriculum vitae, a reference (with contact details), and cover letter to jenkimconservation@gmail.com no later than October 6th. References will be contacted for those applicants who are invited to interview. Applicants will be notified regarding this position by the end of October 2025.
For inquiries contact any of the following:
Nicholas Cahill (ndcahill@wisc.edu), Director
Jennifer Kim (jenkimconservation@gmail.com), Supervising Conservator
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Sarah Montonchaikul
Objects Conservator
Washington, DC
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