Position at BOKU

PhD-position: Science meets culture:
"Sustainability of mass deacidification on library objects"
BOKU
(University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna)

Description: In many libraries and archives the cultural heritage on
paper is threatened by degradation processes. Since the middle of
the 19th century ground wood has been used to produce paper. This
type of paper contains acidic substances that lead to hydrolytic
breakdown of the cellulose molecule and further to the embrittlement
of paper. In order to conserve the endangered historic books and
documents, mass deacidification was developed.

The German National Library (Deutsche Nationalbibliothek, DNB) plans
to evaluate the sustainability of these mass deacidification
treatments that have been performed so far based on scientific
analysis within the framework of a KUR-programme. The results
obtained in the project will serve as a guideline for the future
application of mass deacidification.

Your tasks: Development and application of analytical methods based
on fluorescence labelling and IR-spectroscopy for the analysis of
paper

We offer: Working in an interdisciplinary context, international
research environment state of the art equipment, payment according
to FWF (31.670 Euro p.a.)

We are looking for: Postgraduate students, preferably having
knowledge of either conservation relevant topics and/ or analytical
aspects of interest. A strong interest in both, cultural and
scientific aspects, is strongly desired.

Start: October 2008, duration: 3 years

Please contact:

    Prof. Dr. Antje Potthast
    Department of Chemistry
    BOKU, Muthgasse 18
    A-1190-Vienna, Austria
    +43 1 36006 6071
    antje.potthast<-a t->boku< . >ac< . >at

In cooperation with:

    German National Library (Deutsche Nationalbibliothek), Frankfurt
    am Main and Leipzig

    State Library Berlin (Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin-Preussischer
    Kulturbesitz),

    Swiss National Library (Schweizerische Nationalbibliothek),
    Berne,

    State Academy of Fine Arts Stuttgart (Staatliche Akademie der
    Bildenden Kunste Stuttgart), Germany


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 22:9
                 Distributed: Saturday, August 9, 2008
                        Message Id: cdl-22-9-021
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