Position at Centre for Art Technological Studies and Conservation (CATS)

Senior Researcher in Conservation Science
Centre for Art Technological Studies and Conservation (CATS)

A substantial donation has made it possible to establish a Centre
for Art Technological Studies and Conservation (CATS) as a
collaborative venture between the National Gallery of Denmark (SMK),
The National Museum of Denmark (NM) and the School of Conservation
(SoC) at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. While this initial
donation will support the CATS for five years, the partners aim to
seek further funding to sustain the Centre permanently and the
senior researcher will be a key person to work with for the partners
to realise the prolongation. The CATS is now actively seeking an
experienced senior researcher in conservation science, with the
focus on artists' materials and techniques, and on their
deterioration, to be a part of this new endeavour. The position is
initially for five years and is to be filled from 1 September 2011.

Work areas: The successful candidate will be the leading
conservation scientist in the CATS and will report to the head of
the Department of Conservation and Scientific Research at the SMK.
S/he will be responsible for planning and developing a strong
conservation science program within the CATS and for carrying out
research into materials and techniques of objects within the visual
arts. This will include the supervision of the other research staff
(some of whom will soon be appointed) and close collaboration with
conservation scientists from the NM and SoC.

The senior researcher/conservation scientist will select and
maintain the research/analytical equipment needed to establish the
CATS, with a focus on non-destructive analytical techniques and
Raman spectroscopy. The facilities and equipment at nearby NM and
SoC will also be available and the conservation scientist will be
expected to reciprocate by acting as collaborator and host for NM
and SoC staff when they use the new CATS laboratories at the SMK.
The senior researcher/conservation scientist will examine and
analyse works of art using specialized equipment, document and
interpret the results, and present these as reports to colleagues as
appropriate.

The senior researcher/conservation scientist will actively engage in
ongoing research and initiate original research relating to artists'
materials and techniques, publishing the results as appropriate.
S/he will extend, broaden and advance the role of conservation
science within the CATS environment by fostering close collaboration
between scientists, conservators and curators in studies and
publications, which may involve projects with other institutions.
Publication in professional literature and participation in
symposia, seminars and other professional meetings will be
encouraged and expected.

Minimum requirements: PhD in chemistry/physical sciences with
significant experience in analytical chemistry and materials
identification relating to art and artefacts. The candidate must
demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills, must have
knowledge and hands-on experience of a broad range of analytical
techniques and equipment, be able to demonstrate good scientific
methodology and manual dexterity, and have a record of peer-reviewed
publications. Knowledge of art and art history is desirable, as is
an ability to communicate science to a non-technical audience.

The candidate must have a strong interest in collaborative research,
and at least three years of supervisory experience. S/he must
demonstrate good written and verbal communication skills. Knowledge
of one or more foreign languages preferred.

Conditions: The position is full time, 37 hours weekly. Salary will
be commensurate with experience and in accordance with current
agreements for state employed academics.

The applicants will be reviewed by a committee with external
participation according to the provision laid down in the 5 March
1997 regulation for research staff at archives, libraries, museums
etc. under the Ministry of Culture. The provision prescribes that
applicants are under "equal opportunity" in regards to the position.

To Apply: Submit letter of intent, resume and the names with
telephone numbers of three professional references. A scientific
production to be evaluated by the committee must also be submitted.
The letter of intent should be addressed to:

    CATS
    National Gallery of Denmark
    Solvgade 48-50
    DK-1307 Copenhagen K

All documents must be submitted as PDF-file/s and should be sent by
e-mail to job<-a t->smk< . >dk with 'Conservation Scientist CATS' in the
heading. The application must be received no later than Thursday 9
June 2011. The application is considered received by CATS when you
receive an autoreply-mail from the above mentioned e-mail address.
Please note that the PDF-file/s should be no larger than 10
Megabytes. If your material exceed this limit please call
HR-consultant Christian Svanning Mikkelsen at +45 3374 8472.

Further information about the position may be obtained from the head
of the Department of Conservation and Scientific Research

    Dr Jorgen Wadum
    +45 3374 8450
    j.wadum<-a t->smk< . >dk

Dr. Jorgen Wadum
Keeper of Conservation
National Gallery of Denmark


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 24:51
                  Distributed: Thursday, May 12, 2011
                       Message Id: cdl-24-51-024
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