PhD positions at Rijksmuseum and Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (TU/e)

PhD positions (2)
Climate4Wood project
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam and
Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (TU/e)

The Climate4Wood project is funded by NWO (Netherlands Organisation
for Scientific Research): Science4Arts which aims to develop and
strengthen interchange between the research of various research
institutions and the museological field

    <URL:http://www.nwo.nl/science4arts>

The Climate4Wood project team operates within a unique
interdisciplinary cooperation of Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Eindhoven
and Delft Universities of Technology and Cultural Heritage Agency of
the Netherlands.

Damage caused by fluctuations in museum climate is regarded as one
of the main risks to museum collections. Very strict standards for
climate specifications have been developed in the past, leading to
high implementation and energy costs. Research done since the 1990's
indicates that these specifications might be unnecessarily strict.
Further research is required to define to which extent climate
specifications can be relaxed without causing damage to susceptible
objects, in particular wooden panels (paintings and furniture).

The aim of the Climate4Wood project is to identify the RH
fluctuations that decorated wooden panels can safely sustain and to
develop rational guidelines for the climate specifications in the
museums. The two PhD's in conservation and in mechanical modelling
will closely work together to understand the response of wooden
panels and the damage failure criteria. A postdoc will determine and
model the relevant non linear elastic material properties. The
project outcome will enable the development of a decision-making
model that will help museums to become more sustainable, by
balancing the cost and the preservation of their collections.

The positions:

1. PhD in panel conservation

The PhD candidate will carry out a systematic analysis of climate
related degradation of decorated panels (paintings and furniture) in
the collection of the Rijksmuseum as well as some related panels in
other collections. Based on this study parameters will be defined
which are relevant for material and mechanical modelling. The
candidate will work mainly in the Rijksmuseum and will closely
collaborate with PhD2.

2. PhD in mechanical modelling

The PhD candidate will undertake material and mechanical modelling,
based on the parameters defined by the museum study, to model
climate and age induced stresses and deformations. The candidate
will work mainly in the TU/e and will closely collaborate with PhD1.

Requirements:

Applicants should have the following qualifications:

1. PhD in panel conservation

    A Master's degree in the conservation of furniture or paintings,
    or comparable qualification.

    The candidate should have practical and theoretical knowledge of
    the most commonly used wood species, their properties and
    constructions for panels and furniture;

    Practical and theoretical knowledge of wood degradation,
    shrinkage, warping;

    Practical and theoretical knowledge of (historic) conservation
    methods;

    An analytical mind in order to establish patterns in degradation
    in relation to material and constructional properties and to
    recognize exceptions to these patterns;

    Archival research skills to establish the history of degradation
    of objects, by studying archival material such as (photographic)
    documentation, conservation records, provenance, etc;

    Ability to become acquainted with and to carry out statistical
    analysis;

    Affinity with research into indoor (museum) climate;

    Affinity with measurement and imaging techniques;

    Affinity with (numerical) modelling techniques.

The successful applicant is a pro-active person who is a good
communicator who can bring the field of conservation and
(conservation) science together.

2. PhD in mechanical modelling

A Master's degree in Engineering.

    The candidate should have experience in structural finite
    element or related modelling techniques;

    Experience with implementation of relevant (non-) linear
    (elastic) material properties into a three dimensional
    structural finite element model;

    Interest in experimental work and/or implementing results of
    experimental work into physical models;

    Ideally experience with the implementation of hygrothermal
    modelling;

    Ideally experience with modelling of time-dependent effects such
    as creep and relaxation;

    Ideally experience with wood modelling from macro to micro scale
    and/or their detailed behaviour;

    Ability to work on interdisciplinary topics, e.g. on building
    indoor climate and with conservators;

    Interest in and affinity with art.

    The successful applicant is a pro-active person who is a good
    communicator who can bring the field of conservation and
    (conservation) science together.

Conditions of employment: We offer two challenging jobs in dynamic
and ambitious environments; The gross monthly salary increases from
Euro 2042,- in the first year to Euro 2612,- in the fourth year,
plus 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end of the year allowance.
Besides this, the TU/e has an excellent package of attractive
benefits for employees, a child-care facility, and a modern sports
complex. Assistance for finding accommodation can be given.

The duration of the project is four years. The project is expected
to start in September 2012.

Applications should be submitted by using the 'apply now' button at

    <URL:http://jobs.tue.nl/en/job/2-phd-positions-in-climate4wood-project-funded-by-nwo-science4arts-150193.html>

More information may be obtained from:

    PhD Position 1

        Mr. P van Duin
        Head of Furniture Conservation
        Rijksmuseum
        +31 20 674 7105 or
        +31 6 51147160
        p.van.duin<-at->rijksmuseum<.>nl

    PhD Position 2

        Mr.dr.ir. H.L. Schellen
        Associate Professor
        +31 40 247 2651
        h.l.schellen<-at->tue<.>nl


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 26:2
                  Distributed: Thursday, May 31, 2012
                        Message Id: cdl-26-2-026
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