Vacancies for Scientist and Postdoctoral Fellow
1) Vacancy for Scientist: Colour Science
The British Museum is looking to recruit a dynamic and flexible Scientist to work within the Department of Scientific Research. The post holder will develop and implement an ambitious new programme of scientific research into the use, technology and significance of colour in the Museum’s collections and collaborate on cross-departmental research projects in this area. The post holder will support and develop the in-house analytical technologies used for the study of colour in all its forms (paints, inks, dyes etc.) and provide advice and scientific services to support the study of coloured material in the British Museum collection.
The ideal candidate will have a strong and relevant science background combined with experience in using a range of analytical techniques, for example FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, LC-MS and multi-spectral imaging technologies. These skills should be combined with experience of general laboratory management (including research data management) and supervisory/training experience. A strong interest or experience in analytical science applied to cultural heritage materials would be an advantage.
Very good verbal and written communication skills are essential; the post-holder will be required to disseminate results and information through reports, publication and lecturing etc. and to participate in public outreach events.
2) Vacancy for Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in Conservation Science
The British Museum, with the generous support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, is seeking to appoint an early career researcher to conduct research in one of two areas of current research need (i) biocide (predominantly pesticide) contamination in the British Museum collection or (ii) research on the colourants used in Japanese woodblock prints and paintings by Hokusai. The Fellowship offers an exciting opportunity for an early career researcher with a doctorate in a science discipline to undertake research at the British Museum.
(i) biocide (predominantly pesticide) contamination in the British Museum collection
The Fellowship will evaluate different approaches for characterising biocide contamination on objects and identify related past treatments. It will develop quantitative and qualitative sampling protocols for volatile and non-volatile biocide residues in the collection. Tests will be conducted on a range of experimental samples to inform appropriate methods to reduce object contamination and to inform BM colleagues in implementing appropriate health and safety measures for staff.
(ii) research on the colourants used in Japanese woodblock prints and paintings by Hokusai
The Fellowship has three strands: (a) identifying colourants used on selected nishiki-e (‘brocade prints’) and paintings by the artist Hokusai; (b) assessing the lightfastness of nishiki-e and (c) exploring non-invasive and non-destructive analytical methods for the identification of colourants in nishiki-e. Hokusai is the artist who designed the iconic Great Wave in the 1830s.
The successful Fellow will be involved in all aspects of the department’s work, playing a full part in all academic aspects of the department and in the Museum’s wider scholarly programmes and community.
All vacancies will close at 12 noon on the closing date and late applications will not be accepted
For further information and to apply the jobs see: https://bmrecruit.ciphr-irecruit.com/templates/CIPHR/job_list.aspx