Fellowship at National Gallery of Art

Samuel H. Kress Advanced Training Fellowship
    in Imaging Science of Works of Art
National Gallery of Art
Washington, DC

With support from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, the National
Gallery of Art, Washington, DC is offering a three-year advanced
training fellowship in imaging science applied to the study of works
of art.  The fellowship includes an annual stipend and allowances
for research related travel. The stipend is commensurate with the
candidate's education and experience.  The research from the
fellowship may be used toward a PhD dissertation.  The position may
also be filled at the post-doctoral level. The fellow will work in
the scientific research department, conservation division, under the
guidance of the Gallery's Andrew W. Mellon senior imaging scientist
and is expected to collaborate with the Gallery's conservators and
curators.

Research program: The Gallery is developing and optimizing imaging
based in-situ (non-invasive) tools to help address questions of
material identification and construction methods in works of art.
The spectral range and technologies being investigated are large and
include,

    *   High spatial resolution multispectral infrared imaging to
        improve visualizing preparatory sketches and changes in
        paintings

    *   Reflectance and luminescence imaging spectroscopy to help in
        identifying and mapping artist pigments and materials

    *   Advanced spectral imaging techniques such as optical
        coherent tomography and Raman spectroscopy

    *   Spectral and spatial image processing algorithms

    The results of these techniques are being evaluated by
        comparison to results obtained from more traditional
        analytical methods, carried out by scientists in the
        Gallery's well-equipped scientific research department. This
        work is being done in collaboration with researchers at
        academic institutions and other research laboratories.  The
        Gallery has several large visible and IR cameras, a 2-D
        scanner, a diffuse reflectance visible to infrared fiber
        spectrometer as well as transmission and luminescence
        spectrometers.

Training: The Fellow will receive training in the systems approach
to spectral imaging and in the use of such methodologies in support
of conservation treatments and study of works of art.

Responsibilities of the Fellow: The Fellow will help in the design,
construction and testing of instrumentation and in developing
analytical procedures and tools.  The Fellow will produce written
reports, present research results at scientific and conservation
meetings and publish at least one paper in a scholarly scientific
journal.

Eligibility: Candidates should have a graduate degree in one of the
physical sciences, or equivalent training. The degree must have been
obtained within the last five years. Candidates must be familiar
with relevant scientific methods and instrumentation. A strong
interest in art conservation is required and previous experience in
art conservation is desirable. English-language skills and a proven
record of research and writing ability are required. Fellowships are
awarded without regard to age, sex, nationality, or race. Finalists
who are not United States citizens must provide proof of their own
health insurance coverage before starting the position.

Application Procedure: Interested candidates must submit the
following materials:

    *   Transcripts of both undergraduate and graduate courses of
        academic study (unofficial copies are acceptable)

    *   A curriculum vitae including basic biographical information,
        current and permanent addresses, and telephone numbers

    *   A short statement of the candidate's interests and intent in
        applying for the fellowship

    *   Reprints of publications

    *   Two letters of recommendation from professionals familiar
        with the candidate's work and one letter of personal
        reference

All application materials, including letters of recommendation
should be received no later than April 21, 2008 and should be
submitted via email to m-skalka<-a t->nga< . >gov.  Documents should be in MS
Word, RTF or PDF format.

Signed letters of recommendation should also be sent by regular mail
to:

    Mr. Michael Skalka, Conservation Administrator
    Conservation Division
    National Gallery of Art
    2000B South Club Drive
    Landover, MD 20785

All applicants will be notified by June 10, 2008 of the decision of
the selection committee.

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 21:47
                  Distributed: Saturday, March 8, 2008
                       Message Id: cdl-21-47-014
                                  ***