The Mariners' Museum was founded in 1930 with the goals of collecting, preserving, and sharing the world's maritime heritage with the community. Since then, the institution has grown to become the steward of a world-class collection of over 32,000 items, including three dimensional objects, paintings, and art on paper. The museum is also home to a vast maritime library housing over 110,000 volumes and 3 million pieces of archival material. Along with its own holdings, the museum is the repository of nearly 210-tons of artifacts recovered from the wreck site of the American Civil War ironclad USS Monitor. The Mariners' Museum is situated on a 550-acre Park whose trail and lake serve as a beloved community resource.
We are seeking a full-time Conservation Science Fellow specializing in Chromatography. This two-year, grant-funded position is supported by an IMLS Leadership Grant for Museums. The successful candidate will join our growing conservation research program, located in the state-of-the-art, 20,000-square-foot Batten Conservation Complex. For more details about the laboratory's equipment, research, and publications, please visit the link below.
The Mariners' Museum and Park - Conservation Science Research
Project Details:
The primary focus of this fellowship is to contribute to fundamental research and help improve the treatment of waterlogged organic artifacts such as those recovered from wooden shipwrecks. During burial, historical ships spend centuries submerged in a marine environment often surrounded by sulfur-reducing bacteria. Over time, these organisms produce hydrogen sulfide which reacts with the organic materials onsite, forming compounds which can severely damage wooden artifacts after they are dried. Therefore, extracting sulfur compounds from wood prior to drying is critical to help mitigate the potential for long-term debilitating issues. Through previous research funding from a National Center for Preservation Technology and Training grant in 2023, initial background research and preliminary sulfur extraction tests via chromatography on cellulose coupons were conducted with promising results.
To build off and expand this foundational work this fellowship is centered on chromatographic techniques and will work in tandem under the direct supervision of the Research Scientist and Senior Archaeological Conservator who are overseen by Director of Conservation and Chief Conservator.
Application:
In addition to a cover letter and CV, candidates must include at least one reference letter from a scientist familiar with your work experience.
Application Deadline: January 24, 2025
This is a full-time, salary-exempt position with a salary of $55,000; applicants must be able to work in the United States. No phone calls, please – only applicants being considered for interviews will be contacted.
Duties:
- Design experiments, evaluate results and write reports to develop new treatment practices in compliance with the AIC Code of Ethics in the field of archaeological conservation.
- Promote the research performed within the museum and in an outreach capacity in compliance with the IMLS grant proposal.
- Assist in the maintenance/operation of laboratory equipment and facility, and participate in the ordering of supplies and additional equipment as required. Perform other duties as assigned.
- Participate in professional organizations, workshops, conferences, online courses and other activities in order to enhance personal knowledge and expertise.
- Assist in the organization of a virtual symposium bringing together international specialists in the conservation of waterlogged organic materials.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Designing experiments, evaluating results as well as writing reports and peer-reviewed publications.
- Liquid chromatography, flash chromatography, and thin-layer chromatography experience.
- Familiarity with analytical equipment and methodology specific to conservation science.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
- Organizational skills necessary for planning/organizing professional seminars, lectures, workshops, and publications.
- Experience in public outreach is preferred.
- Attention to detail and accuracy.
- Familiarity with accepted practices for achieving and ensuring safety in the laboratory.
- Consistent capacity for respectful and professional interpersonal relations.
Education and Experience:
- The scientist eligible for this position is a postgraduate (Master’s degree) or postdoctoral (PhD) with at least two years of research laboratory experience, ideally in organic chemistry, sulfur chemistry or related topics.
- Cultural heritage related experience is preferred.
Conditions of Employment:
- Must be able to pass a background and consent to a Motor Vehicle Record check prior to employment.