Fellowship at British Museum

Andrew W. Mellon postdoctoral research fellowship
Department of Conservation and Scientific Research
British Museum

Fixed Term Contract: 23 months in duration (full time)

Salary GBP 26,820 per annum

The British Museum is seeking an outstanding postdoctoral scientist
for a two-year research fellowship funded by the Andrew W. Mellon
Foundation.  The main purpose of the fellowship programme is to
attract outstanding scientists into the disciplines of examination,
conservation, preservation and technical interpretation of
artefacts, thereby strengthening these fields for the future.  The
fellowship will provide the opportunity both to study the extremely
broad range of materials represented in the British Museum's
collections and the chance to conduct a focused research project
working alongside experienced scientists, conservators and curators
in interdisciplinary teams.

The fellowship will include the following components: training in
the application of analytical techniques to answer curatorial and
conservation enquiries; time to conduct at least one substantial
research project and to publish the results; participation in
professional meetings and conferences; visits to other laboratories
in the London area and short-term placements in analogous
laboratories in the UK or abroad.  In the second year the fellow
will organise and lead a workshop/symposium on a topic related to
their research.

Two priority projects for the department have been identified that
could form the basis of their substantial research project.  The
first project would benefit from the long history of technological
study and quantitative analysis of archaeological materials at the
Museum.  Although there is much interest at present in the
application of non-destructive and portable analytical methods,
surface analysis techniques alone cannot yet reveal the complete
picture and quantitative bulk analysis, particularly of trace
elements, is often needed to understand areas such as alloy
composition of metals, potential sources, and technological
innovations.  The project would explore the application of ICP
methods to archaeological materials to examine trace element and
isotopes and to determine the bulk composition, with a focus on
LA-ICP-MS as a minimally invasive method.  The second project would
bring scientific methods to bear in addressing recurrent problems in
the preservation of cuneiform tablets, particularly those affected
by soluble salts; the project would look at factors that determine
the condition and deterioration of tablets and the preventive and
interventive conservation methods (including firing and/or
desalination treatments) that are most appropriate for their future
preservation, taking account of the varying origins of the tablets
in the BM collection.

Candidates must hold a PhD in a scientific discipline, awarded since
01 April 2009, and have a high level of scientific achievement
combined with a strong interest in museum objects or archaeology.
Experimental research experience and an ability to plan and execute
research are required.  The candidate should be able to communicate
the results of their work clearly and engagingly to a variety of
audiences in oral and written form.  An annual stipend of UKP26,820
will be provided and additional funds are available for travel,
conference attendance, exchange visits and workshop/symposium
organization.

The closing date for applications will be 7 March 2014.

Interviews are likely to take place on 7 or 8 April 2014.

For further information or to apply for this fellowship, please go
to

    <URL:http://www.britishmuseum.org/about_us/jobs.aspx>


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 27:32
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