Fellowship at National Gallery of Art

National Gallery of Art
Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Fellowship Position in
    Science and Art

The National Gallery of Art, in conjunction with George Washington
University, is offering the opportunity to join an interdisciplinary
team consisting of image scientists, spectroscopists, conservation
scientists, and conservators to develop novel remote sensing/imaging
spectroscopy cameras and spectral imaging algorithms for
identification and mapping of artists' materials in support of the
fields of art conservation and art history.

A new program at the National Science Foundation in Cultural
Heritage Science funds this two-year position.  The goal is to
build, optimize, and validate a portable, high-sensitivity imaging
system operating in the reflective near-infrared (1000 to 2500 nm)
range. Its primary application will be to map and identify pigments
and paint binders.

The successful candidate will have prior experience with either or
both (1) spectral imaging systems and the associated
image-processing techniques and (2) a basic understanding of
electronic and vibrational spectroscopy of organic and inorganic
pigments.

Due to its interdisciplinary nature, the experience gained from this
position will also be applicable in the biomedical, industrial, and
earth science fields.  The appointment will be made jointly between
the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at George
Washington University and the Scientific Research Department at the
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.  The incumbent will gain
experience at both locations.

Research Program in Imaging Science at the National Gallery of Art

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 hyperspectral and multispectral infrared
    imaging to improve visualizing preparatory sketches and
    compositional paint changes in paintings. See

       "Visible and Infrared Reflectance Imaging Spectroscopy of
        Paintings: Pigment Mapping and Improved Infrared
        Reflectography2. Optics for Arts, Architecture, and
        Archaeology II. Proceedings of the SPIE, Volume 7391, pp.
        739103-739103-8 (2009).

    Reflectance and luminescence imaging spectroscopy in the visible
    to infrared to help in identifying and mapping artist pigments
    and materials such as binders.  See

       "Visible and Infrared Imaging Spectroscopy of Picasso's
        Harlequin Musician: Mapping and Identification of Artist
        Materials in situ2, Applied Spectroscopy 64, 6, 584 (2010).

    Spectral and spatial image processing algorithms. See

      "Towards Automatic Registration", Computer Vision and Image
       Analysis of Art II, Proceedings of SPIE Volume: 7869 (2011).

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. The Gallery has several high performance
visible and infrared monochrome and scanning hyperspectral cameras,
a 2-D mechanical scanner, a diffuse reflectance optical fiber
visible-to-infrared spectrometer, as well as transmission and
luminescence spectrometers.  There is also an active collaboration
with the School of Engineering and Applied Science [Applied Science
and Engineering School] at George Washington University in the area
of advanced image processing.

Training: The Fellow will receive training in image science,
spectroscopy and optical systems engineering as well as the use of
imaging spectroscopy in conservation science.

Responsibilities of the Fellow: The Fellow will help in the
designing, constructing and testing of hyperspectral instrumentation
and develop analytical procedures and image processing tools as
previously noted.  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 PhD in one of the physical
sciences or electrical engineering. The degree must have been
obtained within the last three years. Candidates must be familiar
with relevant scientific methods and instrumentation. Experience is
required in some or all of the following:

    Scientific programming (MATLAB, C, LabVIEW)

    Design, construction, evaluation of novel instrumentation and
    analysis of data

    Signal/image processing

A strong interest in art conservation is required. 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: Prospective applicants must submit three letters of
recommendation, CV and graduate transcript.  A letter from the
candidate should also be submitted expressing why they are
interested in the position and how their unique background makes
them suitable. Please indicate in the cover letter clearly that you
are applying for the NSF Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Fellowship.
All applications should be submitted by February 1, 2012 and
selection of a candidate is expected to be made by March 1, 2012.

Applications should be addressed to:

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


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 25:30
                Distributed: Tuesday, December 27, 2011
                       Message Id: cdl-25-30-017
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