National Gallery of Art - Science Conservation Fellowships

Samuel H. Kress Advanced Training Fellowship in Imaging Science of Works of Art

With support from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, is offering a three-year advanced training fellowship in imaging science as applied to the study of works of art. The fellowship includes an annual stipend and allowances for research related travel. The stipend is commensurate with the candidate's education and experience. The position may be filled at the pre- or post-doctoral level, and if at the former, research from the fellowship may be used toward a PhD dissertation. The Fellow will work in the scientific research department, conservation division, under the guidance of the Gallery’s Andrew W. Mellon Senior Imaging Scientist and is expected to collaborate with the Gallery’s conservators and curators.

Research Program

The Gallery is developing and optimizing imaging based in-situ (non-invasive) tools to help address questions of material identification and construction methods in works of art. The spectral range and technologies being investigated are large and include,

High spatial resolution multispectral infrared imaging to improve visualizing preparatory sketches and changes in paintings
Reflectance and luminescence imaging spectroscopy to help in identifying and mapping artists’ pigments and materials
Advanced spectral imaging techniques such as optical coherent tomography and Raman spectroscopy
Spectral and spatial image processing algorithms

The results of these techniques are being evaluated by comparison to results obtained from more traditional analytical methods, carried out by scientists in the Gallery’s well-equipped scientific research department. This work is being done in collaboration with researchers at academic institutions and other research laboratories. The Gallery has several large visible and IR cameras, a 2-D scanner, a diffuse reflectance visible to infrared fiber spectrometer as well as transmission and luminescence spectrometers.

Training

The Fellow will receive training in the systems approach to spectral imaging and in the use of such methodologies in support of conservation treatments and study of works of art.

Responsibilities of the Fellow

The Fellow will help in the design, construction and testing of instrumentation and in developing analytical procedures and tools. The Fellow will produce written reports, present research results at scientific and conservation meetings, and publish at least one paper in a scholarly scientific journal.

Eligibility

Candidates should have a graduate degree in one of the physical sciences, or equivalent training. The degree must have been obtained within the last five years. Candidates must be familiar with relevant scientific methods and instrumentation. A strong interest in art conservation is required, and previous experience in art conservation is desirable. English-language skills and a proven record of research and writing ability are required. Fellowships are awarded without regard to age, sex, nationality, or race. Finalists who are not United States citizens must provide proof of their own health insurance coverage before starting the position.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates must submit the following materials in English:

Transcripts of both undergraduate and graduate courses of academic study (unofficial copies are acceptable)
A curriculum vitae including basic biographical information, current and permanent addresses, and telephone numbers
A short statement of the candidate's interests and intent in applying for the fellowship
Reprints of publications
Two letters of recommendation from professionals familiar with the candidate's work and one letter of personal reference

All application materials, including letters of recommendation, should be received no later than April 21, 2008, and should be submitted via e-mail to dcl@nga.gov. Documents should be in MS Word, RTF, or PDF format.

Signed letters of recommendation should also be sent by regular mail to:

Michael Skalka, Conservation Administrator
Conservation Division, National Gallery of Art
2000B South Club Drive
Landover, Maryland 20785
USA

All applicants will be notified by June 10, 2008, of the decision of the selection committee.

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	Samuel H. Kress Advanced Training Fellowship in Imaging Science of Works of Art With support from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, is offering a three-year advanced training fellowship in imaging science as applied to the study of works of art. The fellowship includes an annual stipend and allowances for research related travel. The stipend is commensurate with the candidate's education and experience. The position may be filled at the pre- or post-doctoral level, and if at the former, research from the fellowship may be used toward a PhD dissertation. The Fellow will work in the scientific research department, conservation division, under the guidance of the Gallery’s Andrew W. Mellon Senior Imaging Scientist and is expected to collaborate with the Gallery’s conservators and curators. Research Program The Gallery is developing and optimizing imaging based in-situ (non-invasive) tools to help address questions of material identification and construction methods in works of art. The spectral range and technologies being investigated are large and include, High spatial resolution multispectral infrared imaging to improve visualizing preparatory sketches and changes in paintings Reflectance and luminescence imaging spectroscopy to help in identifying and mapping artists’ pigments and materials Advanced spectral imaging techniques such as optical coherent tomography and Raman spectroscopy Spectral and spatial image processing algorithms The results of these techniques are being evaluated by comparison to results obtained from more traditional analytical methods, carried out by scientists in the Gallery’s well-equipped scientific research department. This work is being done in collaboration with researchers at academic institutions and other research laboratories. The Gallery has several large visible and IR cameras, a 2-D scanner, a diffuse reflectance visible to infrared fiber spectrometer as well as transmission and luminescence spectrometers. Training The Fellow will receive training in the systems approach to spectral imaging and in the use of such methodologies in support of conservation treatments and study of works of art. Responsibilities of the Fellow The Fellow will help in the design, construction and testing of instrumentation and in developing analytical procedures and tools. The Fellow will produce written reports, present research results at scientific and conservation meetings, and publish at least one paper in a scholarly scientific journal. Eligibility Candidates should have a graduate degree in one of the physical sciences, or equivalent training. The degree must have been obtained within the last five years. Candidates must be familiar with relevant scientific methods and instrumentation. A strong interest in art conservation is required, and previous experience in art conservation is desirable. English-language skills and a proven record of research and writing ability are required. Fellowships are awarded without regard to age, sex, nationality, or race. Finalists who are not United States citizens must provide proof of their own health insurance coverage before starting the position. Application Procedure Interested candidates must submit the following materials in English: Transcripts of both undergraduate and graduate courses of academic study (unofficial copies are acceptable) A curriculum vitae including basic biographical information, current and permanent addresses, and telephone numbers A short statement of the candidate's interests and intent in applying for the fellowship Reprints of publications Two letters of recommendation from professionals familiar with the candidate's work and one letter of personal reference All application materials, including letters of recommendation, should be received no later than April 21, 2008, and should be submitted via e-mail to dcl@nga.gov. Documents should be in MS Word, RTF, or PDF format. Signed letters of recommendation should also be sent by regular mail to: Michael Skalka, Conservation Administrator Conservation Division, National Gallery of Art 2000B South Club Drive Landover, Maryland 20785 USA All applicants will be notified by June 10, 2008, of the decision of the selection committee. Back
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