Fellowship at University of Namur

Postdoctoral Fellowship - Research on parchment
University of Namur

The University of Namur offers a full-time position for
post-doctoral research on parchments.  The candidate must be in
mobility condition and submit an application to a post-doc
fellowship. (MOVE-IN Louvain Incoming postdoc Fellowships,
application deadline: 4 January 2016) It is a condition of the job
position that the fellowship be obtained.

The candidate will develop experimental techniques for
characterizing parchments, with a focus on non-invasive, portable,
easy-to-use techniques to be used in conservation and restoration.
The candidate will work in a trans-disciplinary research group and
will have access to collaborations with international experts. Among
investigated techniques, optical polarizing microscopy imaging will
be developed for evaluating the impact of repairs on parchment book
bindings.  Other techniques such as fluorescence microscopy will be
explored.  Analysis of anatomical changes occurring in animal skin
will be carried on in situ during parchment fabrication. Description

The candidate should show strong motivation and experience working
in cultural heritage science.  The candidate will develop
experimental techniques for characterizing parchments, with a focus
on non-invasive, portable, easy-to-use techniques to be used in
conservation and restoration.  The candidate will work in a
trans-disciplinary research group on the Pergamenum21 project.
Pergamenum21 is a trans-disciplinary research project of the
University of Namur which aims at developing experimental
characterization techniques for ancient parchments, with a focus on
non-invasive, portable, easy-to-use techniques to be used in
conservation and restoration.  See

    <URL:http://www.pergamenum21.eu>

Special attention is paid to historical parchment bindings and the
materials and methods used for their restoration.  The project
involves a panel of investigators in science and humanities,
including physicists, chemists and biologists, historians, curators
and restorers.

Besides historical parchments and parchment bindings which are made
available by university library upon request, samples of fresh
parchment are manufactured from different animal skins according to
traditional recipes by persons collaborating to the project.

The candidate will develop experimental techniques for
characterizing parchments, with a focus on non-invasive, portable,
easy-to-use techniques to be used in conservation and restoration.
Dialog with curators/restorers and historians will be an important
part of the methodology as it will help identifying most relevant
parameters to be characterized.  The candidate will have access to
on-going collaborations with internationally recognized experts, for
instance Prof. Matthew Collins at the University of York, UK.

Among techniques already investigated by the group, optical
polarizing microscopy imaging will be developed further, especially
in view of its applicability for evaluating mechanical constraints
induced by repairs on precious historical parchment book bindings.
Other optical techniques such as fluorescence microscopy will be
explored as well.  Based on preliminary results obtained by the
group, systematic analysis of anatomical changes which take place in
the animal skin will be carried on in situ at different stages of
the parchment fabrication process.

Number of positions available: 1

Research Fields:

    Anthropology - Cultural anthropology
    Biological sciences - Biology
    Chemistry - Analytical chemistry
    Chemistry - Instrumental analysis
    Chemistry - Instrumental techniques
    Chemistry - Physical chemistry
    History - Archaeology
    Philosophy - Epistemology
    Physics - Chemical physics
    Physics - Optics
    Physics - Surface physics
    Technology - Laboratory technology
    Career Stage

Career stages: Experienced researcher or 4-10 years (postdoc)
Research Profiles: Recognised Researcher (R2)

For additional job details see

    <URL:http://www.unamur.be/recherche/adre-service-chercheurs/recherche-financement/financement-projet/federation-wallonie-bruxelles/fsr-cofund-2014-en>

Catherine Charles
Restauration / Preservation
Bibliotheque universitaire Moretus Plantin
Fax: +32 81 724 645
Universite de Namur ASBL
Rue de Bruxelles 61
5000 Namur
Belgique
+32 81 724 643


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 29:23
                Distributed: Saturday, October 24, 2015
                       Message Id: cdl-29-23-015
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