Two conservation science positions – The Mariners’ Museum and Park
Listing Start Date: December 15, 2024
Expires: January 24, 2025
The Mariners’ Museum and Park seeks to hire two full-time conservation science positions for two years funded through an IMLS Leadership Grant for Museums. The successful applicants will join an expanding conservation research program housed within the well-equipped 20,000 square-foot Batten Conservation Complex. Please see the link below to learn more about the laboratory’s equipment, research, and publications.
www.marinersmuseum.org/conservation-science-research
Start date: On or before April 1, 2025
Salary:
$55,000 base plus benefits and conference travel funding.
Project Description:
The primary focus of the fellowships 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, The Mariners’ Museum is offering two fellowships with one centered on chromatographic techniques and the other on scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both positions will work in tandem under the direct supervision of Research Scientist, Dr. Molly McGath and Senior Archaeological Conservator, Elsa Sangouard who are overseen by Director of Conservation and Chief Conservator William Hoffman.
Application:
Fellowship applicants at a minimum must have a master’s degree with at least two years of research laboratory experience preferred. For the chromatography-focused placement, experience in organic chemistry, sulfur chemistry, or related topics is preferred whereas for the SEM-based fellowship, preference will be given to those with a background in materials science or related fields. Cultural heritage related experience is also preferred for both fellowships.
Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.
To view the full position descriptions and apply online, please visit
recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/All/…
In addition to a cover letter and CV, please include at least one reference letter from a supervisor familiar with your work experience.
Application Deadline: January 24, 2025
About the Mariners’ Museum and Park:
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.