Studentship at Loughborough University

PhD Studentship
A novel camera-based approach to measure daylight exposure for
    conservation/management of light-sensitive objects in heritage
    buildings
School of Civil and Building Engineering
Loughborough University, UK

Background to the research: Many heritage buildings contain
artefacts that degrade if over exposed to natural light, e.g.
paintings, fabrics, wallpapers, furnishings etc. Management of the
long-term exposure of these objects to daylight is a key issue for
the bodies that have responsibility for managing the buildings and
preserving their contents, e.g. The National Trust. It is
acknowledged that systematic monitoring of light exposure is very
sparse, and also that many valuable objects are at risk. Monitoring,
if carried out at all, is usually just at one or two points in a
space. However, the spatial variation in long-term exposure is known
to be great- typically several orders of magnitude depending on the
geometry and reflective properties of the space. The installation of
commonly used measurement apparatus can be invasive, expensive
and/or impractical.

Aim: This project will employ a novel combination of measurement,
GPS, photogrammetry and lighting simulation to quantify the spatial
distribution of cumulative daylight exposure in spaces, with a
particular application to the management and conservation of light
sensitive objects in heritage buildings. The research tasks will
include the both laboratory and field studies together with
simulation/modeling.

The position: The School of Civil and Building Engineering at
Loughborough University invites applications for a PhD studentship
from individuals interested in fusing light modelling with modern
spatial measurement techniques. A background in
physics/engineering/mathematics or related discipline will be
required, combined with some expertise in software development using
Matlab/IDL. As part of a large, growing and supportive research
community within the School, the successful candidate will benefit
from the University's Graduate School and their extensive and
targeted skills training for research students. The successful
candidate will be joining a lively community of research students
and staff, where doctoral students are given great academic and
administrative support and are an integral part of the University's
research culture.

Funding and eligibility: The studentship is open to graduates with
experience in numerate subjects such as mathematical modelling,
statistics or those with a strong engineering background provided
that they are good communicators, well qualified and highly
motivated. The minimum entry qualification is a 2.1 Honours degree
or equivalent. A lower qualification is acceptable if supplemented
with an appropriate postgraduate (MSc) qualification and relevant
experience. The studentship is for 3 years and covers fees and a
tax-exempt stipend of UKP13,726 for the 2013/2014 academic year with
cost of living adjustments in years 2 and 3. Tuition fees will be
paid at the UK/EU rate.  Studentships must start on 1 April 2014.

Additional Information: Applications can be made on-line at

    <URL:http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/>

For an informal discussion on the broad topic area, please contact

    Prof John Mardaljevic
    School of Civil and Building Engineering
    +44 1509 222630
    j.mardaljevic<-at->lboro<.>ac<.>uk

For enquiries about the application process, please contact Ms Helen
Newbold <h.newbold<-at->lboro<.>ac<.>uki>.

Closing date for applications: Applications will be accepted until
31 January 2014, or until the post is filled.

Disciplines: Architecture and Building, Civil Engineering, Physics
and Astronomy

Prof. Jim Chandler
School of Civil and Building Engineering
Loughborough University LE11 3TU, UK
+44 1509 222624
Skype: jim.chandler.mobile


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 27:22
               Distributed: Wednesday, November 20, 2013
                       Message Id: cdl-27-22-022
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