Senior Conservation Scientist, Heritage

**What the role is**

The Heritage Conservation Centre (HCC) is an institution of NHB. It is a purpose-built facility for the storage and conservation of the National Collection comprising artworks and artefacts. Its mission is to care for, manage and facilitate access to the National Collection. To enhance conservation of the National Collection, HCC is committed towards consolidating its Conservation Science capabilities and is now seeking for an experienced individual to spearhead the development of Conservation Science research programme.

**What you will be working on**

Reporting to the Head of Conservation Science/ Senior Assistant Director, you will work in the Conservation Science Lab in the Conservation Section. You will be responsible for developing conservation science research and programmes in support of HCC’s new research strategies addressing the sustainable use and care of the growing National Collection.
You will join a larger team of 30 over conservators that includes conservators of paintings, objects, paper, têxtile. You will be expected to possess research/analysis experience applicable to a wide range of historical and contemporary heritage and conservation materials both organic and inorganic and respective ageing behaviour; to be a strong team-player enjoying working in a collaborative manner and to have demonstrated ability to show initiative and resourcefulness in handling difficult and unusual analytical problems. Research areas include the technical analysis of artefacts and their treatment methods, the understanding of their aging behaviour and of how to reduce rate of the associated material deteriorations. It encompasses selecting most appropriate - preferably non-destructive and portable - techniques of analysis and exploring most relevant methods to process, enhance, interpret and share data obtained.
Working in close collaboration with the other members of the Conservation Science lab, the key job responsibilities are described as follows:
**Responsibilities**:

- Devise and implement research projects that permit creating sustainable and pragmatic storage, preservation and conservation solutions while working collegially with conservators and appropriate external stakeholders and also factoring in the regional context and needs. This includes contributing, designing and coordinating technical studies of the National Collection, conservation materials or techniques, while working with HCC and/or NHB staff members, academic and other museum scientists. It also encompasses disseminating the results obtained and associated knowledge by participating in the writing of papers for publication in art historical, conservation, or scientific journals.
- Conduct non-destructive analyses for the study of the National Collections. Techniques include but are not limited to 2D and 3D technical imaging.
- Develop and/or optimize new analytical capability to study physical and chemical properties, including ageing behavior, of materials pertaining to the care of the National Collections. Techniques include but are not limited to acoustic emission testing, spectroscopy (FTIR, Raman), mechanical testing (universal testing machines, tensile strength meter), thermal and mass analysis (TGA/ DSC), surface and apperance measurements.
- Initiate and/or contribute to fundraising effort to support research projects of various sizes, involving collaboration with diverse external and/or internal stakeholders at local, regional and international levels.
- Instructing and supervising fellows, interns, and students in the understanding and performance of materials analysis.
- Communicate effectively the work of conservation science to both professional colleagues and non-technical audiences through tours, lectures, web content, and video.

**What we are looking for**

**Requirements**:

- Ph.D. or masters in Chemistry or other physical science. Applicants who may not have the required qualifications but have relevant work experience will be considered.
- Be a curious, innovative, enthusiastic, problem-solving and open-minded individual enjoying working on complex issues in collaboration with a team of specialists with diverse perspectives. Commitment to developing sustainable approach to work and solution would be highly valued.
- Experience with physical testing protocols for characterising and monitoring properties of materials and their ageing behaviour.
- Working knowledge in instrumentation development for non-destructive analyses, including technical imaging is advantageous. Familiar with instrumentation in conservation science such as, but not limited to light microscopy, SEM-EDS, FTIR, Raman, Py-GC/MS, LC/MS, XRF, XRD, etc.
- Ability to analyse data, prepare technical reports and communicate results to stakeholders and to collaborate effectively with conservators, curators, collections managers, museum educators, academic scientists, and scientists from other museums to interpret results obta