The first conservation science laboratory in a Gulf region museum
The Scientific, Curatorial and Collection Management department of Louvre Abu Dhabi is seeking for a Conservation Scientist to join its Research Laboratory to perform scientific analysis and research aimed at understanding, preserving, and interpreting objects from the museum diverse collection in collaboration with curators, conservators, and other museum staff.
The Conservation Scientist will have the opportunity to be part of the creation of the first conservation science laboratory in a Gulf region museum and should demonstrate resourcefulness, initiative and autonomy to meet the challenge.
Responsibilities:
– Conduct scientific examination, identification, and analysis of museum objects’ materials and techniques to contribute to the broader study of works of art, study aging and deterioration processes of materials, perform scientific research to support conservation treatment and preservation of the collection.
– Perform analysis of organic or inorganic materials using some of the following analytical methods: SEM-EDS, XRF, XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis and Raman spectroscopy, GC-MS, HPLC and interpret the analytical data collected.
– Contribute to preventive conservation research, including research on environmental issues and testing of materials used in art storage, display, and shipment.
– Participate in the management of laboratory functions including acquisition of new instruments and their maintenance, ordering chemicals and consumables and keeping their storage organized, keeping artwork samples and reference collection archive organized.
– Maintain excellent records of research and analysis and contribute to the management of scientific data.
– Communicate research results through written reports, museum publications, journals and conference presentations aimed at the scientific community and art conservation practitioners.
– Foster understanding and assimilation of scientific information among curators, conservators, collection managers, museum engineers, educators, other staff and the general public.
– Instruct and supervise interns, Master and PhD students in the understanding and performance of materials analysis.
Qualifications:
– PhD in chemistry, materials science or other relevant physical science and a minimum of 2 years of experience in experimental scientific research applied to cultural heritage, preferably in a museum environment.
– Strong instrumental analytical skills in a wide range of techniques, such as SEM-EDS, XRD, XRF, FTIR, UV/Vis and Raman spectroscopy, GC-MS, HPLC, UV-Vis and polarized light microscopy. The ability to operate and maintain scientific instrumentation and to interpret its data is expected for most techniques and a higher level of expertise for a few techniques.
– Knowledge of a broad array of organic and inorganic materials used in artworks, their degradation mechanisms and treatments is desirable.
– Demonstrated ability to show initiative and resourcefulness in handling difficult and unusual analytical and technical problems.
– A working cross-cultural knowledge of art, art history, artists’ materials and techniques, and routine art conservation practices is desirable.
– Strong computer skills, with the ability to learn LabVIEW or other computer programming language for instrument control and data processing. Proficiency with managing and processing analytical and imaging data files.
– Excellent writing and verbal communication skills in English, knowledge of one or more foreign languages preferred.
– Record of peer-reviewed research and publications in conservation science or in conservation-related themes and topics.
– Ability to effectively disseminate and communicate the work of conservation science to non-technical audiences, including the general public.
– Strong interest in collaborative and multi-disciplinary research and ability to work collaboratively with conservators, curators, collections management staff, museum educators, academic scientists, scientists from other museums is essential.
– Demonstrated organizational skills with a high attention to detail.
If you are interested in the position, please send a cover letter, a CV including references, and three relevant publications to ebourguignon@louvreabudhabi.ae before January 20, 2019.
If you have any questions about the position, working at the Louvre Abu Dhabi or living in the UAE please, contact
Elsa Bourguignon
Research Lab Unit Head
ebourguignon@louvreabudhabi.ae