NU-ACCESS Postdoctoral Research Scholarship: MALDI-MS for the characterization of plant gums in works of art
The Northwestern University / Art Institute of Chicago Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts (NU-ACCESS) is offering a one-year postdoctoral research scholarship to develop and refine a strategy for the analysis and differentiation of plant gum polysaccharides using MALDI-MS, and to apply this technique to the study of works in collections of the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) and other collaborating institutions. Plant gums such as arabic, tragacanth and fruit tree gums have been employed as binding media and adhesives in works of art since ancient times, and the study of these materials is important to shed light on artists’ techniques and material choices, and to inform appropriate strategies for the preservation of the artefacts. Analogous to the Peptide Mass Fingerprinting (PMF) technique extensively used for the characterization of proteins in cultural heritage materials, a new analytical approach based on partial enzymatic digestion of polysaccharides followed by MALDI-MS analysis has shown great promise in recent years for the study of plant gums in complex and microgram-sized samples from works of art. In order to develop this strategy for broader applications in the fields of art and archaeology, the research scholarship will focus on optimization of the analytical protocol, detailed structural characterization of different gum polysaccharides, and expansion of a mass profile database. These will be important steps in promoting the use of this new method as a critical tool for the analysis of gums in cultural heritage. The scholarship will be supervised by Dr. Ken Sutherland (AIC), with Professor Milan Mrksich and colleagues in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at NU, and with the collaboration of Dr. Clara Granzotto (Natural History Museum of Denmark – University of Copenhagen) who has developed and pioneered the use of this analytical strategy. Research will be undertaken at both NU and AIC, allowing the use of the analytical, library and other resources at both institutions. The scholarship includes funding for travel and research. Applicants should have a completed Ph.D. in chemistry or a related discipline, expertise in the use of MALDI-MS/MS or related MS techniques, and familiarity with complementary analytical techniques including GCMS and FTIR microspectroscopy. Previous work experience in the cultural heritage field is an advantage; an enthusiasm for studying works of art and historic artefacts is essential. The application, including cover letter, CV, list of publications, and contact information for two references, should be submitted to the online application via the following link: https://openposition.mccormick.northwestern.edu/apply/index/Njc= For inquiries please contact [email protected] The deadline for application is 15 January 2018, with a start date anticipated by April 2018. Northwestern University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Qualified women and minorities are encouraged to apply. It is the policy of Northwestern University not to discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, citizenship, veteran status or other protected group status. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States. -- Ken Sutherland Conservation Scientist Department of Conservation The Art Institute of Chicago 111 S. Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60603 tel. 1.312.443.7258 -- <http://http://www.artic.edu/exhibition/rodin-sculptor-and-storyteller>*Rodin: Sculptor and Storyteller* Through March 4 The Art Institute of Chicago Top Ranked in the World by TripAdvisor—Five Years in a Row ****** Unsubscribe by sending a message to [email protected] Searchable archives: http://cool.conservation-us.org/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/
