PhD position at Rijksmuseum

PhD position in analytical methodology development for the study of
    oil paintings Rijksmuseum

36 hours per week

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is the national museum of the
Netherlands.  Its collection includes 1.1 million works of art and
objects from and about the Netherlands, spanning the period from the
Middle Ages up to and including the 20th century.  The Rijksmuseum
attracts some two millions visitors per year.  In April 2013 the
Rijksmuseum reopened to the public following a large-scale
restoration and renovation campaign, resulting in a breathtakingly
beautiful building, innovative layout and displays, spectacular
exhibitions, exciting events and various facilities catering to all
ages.

The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, The Netherlands
<URL:http://www.rijksmuseum.nl>, in collaboration with IPANEMA,
synchrotron Soleil, France ipanema.cnrs.fr and the Dutch University,
is offering a PhD position in natural and conservation science.  The
research focuses on the development of advanced analytical
methodology to study complex degradation phenomena in paintings at
the (sub-)micron scale.  The PhD candidate will work 50% of its time
in the laboratories of the Rijksmuseum in the Ateliergebouw, and 50%
of its time in the laboratories of IPANEMA, the European research
platform on ancient materials, and at synchrotron beamlines.

Summary: This project will aim at focusing on key conservation
issues encountered in the paintings collection of the Rijksmuseum.
These conservation issues are degradation phenomena that are often
related to pigment-binder interactions, e.g. lead soap formation or
degrading ultramarine paints.  A fundamental understanding of the
degradation processes is crucial in order to select the safest
conservation strategy, as well as optimal display and storage
conditions.

This PhD project is assigned to develop new methodologies and
strategies optimized for heterogeneous paint systems and minuscule
paint samples.  He/she will elaborate and push at their limits new
analytical approaches based on synchrotron (UV/visible synchrotron
spectroscopy and imaging, and tomographic analyses), nano-infrared
and free-electron laser (FEL) to reveal micro- and nanoscale
structure of aged oil paint systems.

Requirements: The successful candidate should have a master degree
in chemistry, material science, optics or physics.  He or she has a
true interest to apply science to the field of cultural heritage and
has the ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.  The candidate
should be willing to travel between and spending time in The
Netherlands and France.

Terms of employment: The full-time appointment will be on a
temporary basis for a maximum period of four years (18 months plus a
further 30 months after a positive evaluation) and will lead to a
dissertation (PhD thesis).  The candidate is expected to attend
courses and (international) meetings and to disseminate the research
outcome to the conservation field.  Based on a full-time appointment
(36 hours per week) the gross monthly salary will range from Euro
2.177,- in the first year to Euro 2.760,- in the final year,
according to the Dutch salary scales for PhD students.  The
collective labour agreement (CAO) for independent national museums
applies.

For further information about this post, please contact

    Dr. Katrien Keune
    Scientific Researcher
    +31 20 6747268

Queries regarding job application procedures should be directed to

    Lieke Boers
    P&O Department
    +31 20 6747304

Applications: Please send your application (cover letter, CV, list
of publications) by email to vacatures<-at->rijksmuseum<.>nl stating the
job vacancy name, by no later than 20 December, 2015.

Museumstraat 1
Postbus 74888
1070 DN Amsterdam


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