Postdoctoral Associate Position in X-ray Fluorescence Mapping of Art at Yale's Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage
The Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (IPCH), at Yale University, is seeking a scientist at the postdoctoral associate level for a position in the field of conservation science, focused on x-ray fluorescence mapping of objects in Yale's diverse collections. These include the Yale University Art Gallery, the Yale Center for British Art, the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, and the Peabody Museum of Natural History. Research will be centered on applications of a Bruker M6 Jetstream large-area micro x-ray fluorescence spectrometer and the processing, analysis, and visualization of elemental distributions along with imaging data in other frequency domains (e.g. visible, infrared). This position offers the successful candidate the opportunity to work intensively with museum scientists, conservators, curators, scholars and students. The postdoctoral associate will be responsible for leading the XRF mapping component of various collaborative projects to develop measurement and data analysis methodologies, communicate their results, and participate in the dissemination of results. About the Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage: The Institute is a research collaborative, dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of material culture. Our research decodes art and artifacts, enabling scholars across disciplines to incisively interpret origins and histories. Fundamental to this work is understanding and managing change, especially deterioration and its detection, monitoring, and treatment. We also develop tools and methodologies that enable new modes of studying art and artifacts. Facilities include a variety of XRF instruments, optical microscopes, FTIR microscope, Raman microscope, SEM/EDS, GC/MS, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and an array of accelerated aging and mechanical testing equipment. In addition to scientific laboratories, the IPCH also houses the Conservation Laboratory and the Digitization Laboratory, which are collaborative spaces providing infrastructure, equipment, and expertise to Yale's collections and researchers pursuing the examination, documentation and conservation treatment of objects. Position and application information: The postdoctoral associate position is a full-time, 12-month position (renewable). The starting date is negotiable, but a date in or before January 2019 is strongly preferred. Salary will be based on Yale's guidelines for postdoctoral positions (https://postdocs.yale.edu/postdocs/salaries-taxes). For a description of benefits, including health insurance, see https://postdocs.yale.edu/postdocs/benefits. Support for travel associated with projects is provided. This position is based on Yale's West Campus on the border of West Haven and Orange CT, and requires visits to Yale's collections and conservation facilities on Central Campus. There is a free shuttle service between Yale's campuses. Required qualifications: - Completion of a PhD, preferably in the chemical or physical sciences. Candidates with a strong scientific background with degrees outside of these fields may be considered. - Fluency with x-ray interactions with matter. Experience with x-ray fluorescence measurements. Computational and data processing skills. - Excellent verbal and written communication skills, organizational skills, and a desire to work collaboratively. - A desire to engage with museums and collections, curiosity about art, artifacts, or archival materials. Preferred qualifications: - Familiarity with spectroscopic image processing techniques is highly desirable. - Prior experience with the application of analytical techniques to cultural heritage objects is desirable but not required Application process: - The closing date for applications is October 15, 2018; review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. - Send an email or document describing your interest in the position, your CV, and the names of and contact information for two references to Anikó Bezur ([email protected]), Wallace S. Wilson Director of Scientific Research, Technical Studies Laboratory, Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage. Yale University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. Yale values diversity among its students, staff, and faculty and strongly welcomes applications from women, persons with disabilities, protected veterans, and underrepresented minorities. ****** Unsubscribe by sending a message to [email protected] Searchable archives: http://cool.conservation-us.org/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/
