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What the role is
The National Heritage Board of Singapore (NHB) is recruiting a Conservation scientist for its 2-year research project focusing on developing Sustainable Collections Care in Tropical Climate Building Environments led by the Heritage Conservation Centre (HCC). HCC is an institution under NHB with purpose-built facility for the storage and conservation of all artworks and artefacts in Singapore’s National Collection.

What you will be working on

Reporting to the Project Lead at HCC, the project-based Conservation Scientist will work in the Conservation Science laboratory of the HCC with the support of a research assistant specially hired for the project. Main duties of the successful candidate are listed below:

• Closely collaborate with the research Project Manager and actively contribute to the 3 phases of the project while working with respective members of the NHB research team and/or partners. This involves attending and contributing to meetings as needed; providing expert inputs as needed to procure adequate equipment &/or services; preparing and delivering reports as agreed and scheduled. It may also require representing HCC research team when and as needed.
• Supervise the research assistant specially hired for the project.
• In collaboration with HCC conservation scientists, propose improvements if needed and execute most of the experimental scientific work related to investigating the aging behaviours of mock-ups representative of the Collection, liaise and coordinate with external stakeholders, including vendors as needed.
• In collaboration with the HCC Preventive Conservation specialists and the Facility managers on site, closely work with the relevant research partners to ensure the scientific results obtained on materials aging behaviours are adequately interpreted and effectively integrated into the digital simulation model.
• In collaboration with the relevant HCC conservator(s), measure and monitor the impact of change in environmental settings on selected National Collection items using non-destructive techniques.
• Train &/or mentor as needed selected HCC staff to master relevant equipment/technique & interpret results. Share knowledge with conservation students as needed.
• Contribute to disseminate the research results and co-author most of the articles to be submitted for journal publications and/or conference presentations.

What we are looking for

The selected candidate is expected to possess research/analysis experience in conservation science relevant to the mentioned project and mainly applicable to organic artists’ and conservation materials; to work independently under minimum supervision and be a strong team-player enjoying working in a collaborative manner and to have demonstrated ability to show initiative and resourcefulness in handling difficult analytical problems in scientific methodology of conservation science.

You should:

• Possess MSc or PhD degree, specialising in conservation science, chemistry, materials science or another scientific discipline relevant to the position. Conservator with a MSc or Bachelor degree in conservation from a recognised college / university and with a proven experience in conservation science will also be considered.
• Preferably minimum of 6 years of experience in a conservation science laboratory. Experience in multi-year transdisciplinary research is advantageous. Broad knowledge of artists’ materials and techniques is expected. Deep understanding of cellulose-based materials would be a plus
• Have a proven experience in working with non-destructive techniques (such as Digital Image Correlation, Acoustic Emission, etc.) to monitor the impact of environment on Collection items and/or materials used in/on Collection
• Be familiar working with accelerated aging methods involving various conditions of temperature, relative humidity, light exposure. Familiarity with Microfadometry is advantageous
• Possess a working knowledge of analytical techniques used in conservation field, such as, but not limited to scanning electron microscopy/ energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), polarized light microscopy (PLM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), X-ray fluorescence spectrometers (Artax and Bruker hand-held), Micro-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, Micro-Raman spectrometer, spectrophotometer and digital microscopy .
• Be familiar with techniques, methods and equipment used in preventive conservation to measure, monitor, process and interpret data associated to collection environment is advantageous.
• Be able to analyse, interpret and process scientific data, prepare technical reports and communicate results to stakeholders.
• Be able to collaborate effectively with conservators, collections management staff, museum facility managers, academic scientists, and conservation scientists from others institution and to effectively communicate the work of conservation science .
• Possess a solid record of peer-reviewed publications .
• Have an experience in budget administration.
• Possess strong interpersonal, planning and organisational skills with solid oral, written and interpersonal communication skills in English while enjoying working in a multi-cultural environment

The position will be available for two years with an expected date of commencement from October 2024.

*All applicants will be notified whether they are shortlisted within 4 weeks of the closing date of this job posting.

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