Preservation & Conservation Student Internship, The Harry Ransom Center

The Ransom Center is an internationally renowned humanities research library and museum at The University of Texas at Austin. Its extensive collections provide unique insight into the creative process of writers and artists, deepening our understanding and appreciation of literature, photography, film, art, and the performing arts. Visitors engage with the Center's collections through research and study, exhibitions, publications, and a rich variety of program offerings including readings, talks, symposia, and film screenings.

If you're considering an internship at the Ransom Center, it's probably because you're deeply curious, humanities-oriented, and an enthusiastic student of literature, film, and/or the visual arts. These internships are available to all UT undergraduate students and provide unique opportunities to work behind the scenes with experts at an important cultural institution with worldwide connections. Our ideal candidates come from a wide range of experiences, have a desire for learning and mentorship, and a passion for the work done at the Ransom Center. Undergraduate interns must be able to work 10 hours a week for the duration of their appointment.

Purpose

The intern in this position will have direct access to the Ransom Center’s collections and to Preservation and Conservation’s equipment, tools, and supplies. With the guidance of the Book and Paper Conservator, the intern will collaborate with conservators as well as preservation technicians. The intern will participate in projects focused on caring for collections in accordance with the highest standards of preservation and care.

Your cover letter should answer the following questions:

1. What year are you expected to graduate in?

2. Are you a member of the Plan II or Liberal Honors programs?

The deadline for 2026–2027 academic year applications is April 20, 2026.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with conservators and preservation technicians in constructing protective enclosures appropriate for specific collection materials.
• Assist conservators and preservation technicians with lab maintenance and organization, and supply–room inventory.
• Participate in collections surveys as needed.
• Collaborate with conservators in minor treatment projects and use of specialized equipment.
• Assist conservators with treatment research and special projects.

Required Qualifications

• Must be enrolled as a student with UT Austin and enrolled in at least 6 semester credit hours.
• Must be in good academic standing.
• Must be able to work 10 hours a week for the duration of their appointment.
• Must be able to work on-site at the Harry Ransom Center.

Preferred Qualifications

• Manual dexterity and familiarity with artists’ materials.
• Interest in art, humanities, art history, and/or chemistry, physics, and/or biology.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong time management and organization.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Comfortable working independently as well as under direction.
• Ability to climb stairs, lift, and move boxes.

Salary Range
$15.00 per hour

Required Materials

• Résumé
• Cover letter
• Letter of recommendation from a UT faculty member or someone who knows the candidate's professional qualification pertinent to this internship.

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.