Stillingstittel:
Conservator in the research project Saving Oseberg (Ref. 2016/7041)

Stillingsbeskrivelse:
The University of Oslo is Norway’s largest institution of research and education with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. Its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally esteemed research communities make UiO an important contributor to society.

Position as Conservator (SKO 1087) (substitute position until May 31st 2018) in the research project Saving Oseberg

The Museum of Cultural History (KHM) invites applications for a conservator (substitute position until May 31st 2018) in the research project Saving Oseberg. The museum houses the extensive and highly valued Oseberg collection which represents one of the most comprehensive collections of Viking Age wooden objects in the world. Many of these wooden artefacts are severely threatened by a slow but on-going deterioration process caused by a conservation treatment (alum treatment) applied over one hundred years ago. In addition, the artefacts are restored to such a degree, that undoing or removing these would irreversibly damage the artefacts. In order to develop a preservation strategy for these highly complex and degraded artefacts, the museum launched the research project Saving Oseberg phase I. Saving Oseberg phase I end December 31st 2016. Saving Oseberg requires a continuation to develop successful preservation strategies. In the second phase of Saving Oseberg, the activities will be organized in two research groups. The first group will apply and compare different impregnation methods, addressing the three main problems: high acidity, presence of harmful metal ions and consolidation of the fragile wood. This work will include the development of a testing protocol, chemical analyses before- and after-treatment and studies of behaviour of the impregnation agents in the highly degraded archaeological wood. The second group will work with chemical variation and improvement of the materials for consolidation, neutralization and inactivation of metal ions. Attempts will be continued to develop a multi-functional, bio-inspired material which is chemically functionalized in a way that all three tasks can be fulfilled by one material. The two groups will work in close cooperation with each other, with relevant projects associated with the development of new museum facilities for the Oseberg collection and not least in a national and international network of research institutions.

The responsibilities of this position are in particular connected to group 1, testing and evaluation of materials and methods. This includes object survey of alum-treated wood including organizing survey data. It also includes sample preparation for Saving Oseberg material and sample material related to partners. It involves various forms of basic measurements such as calculating wood density, maximum moisture content, etc. Furthermore, it involves reconservation of samples of alum-treated wood from Oseberg. All these tasks will be performed in close cooperation with the group coordinator of Group 1 as well the rest of the project team, partners and network. It is expected that the applicant will participate in public engagement activities, conferences and contribute to the general organization of project meetings and seminars.

Requirements

• The position requires an approved conservation education at Masters level or equivalent in archaeological material. Particularly relevant experience may substitute educational requirement.
• The position requires experience with conservation of archaeological wood (for ex. knowledge about freeze drying, calculating density, maximum moisture content etc).

Preferred qualifications

• Good communication skills, both oral and written.
• The working language is English; however knowledge of one of the Nordic languages (Norwegian, Danish or Swedish) is an advantage.
• Previous participation in research proj
  
  Minstelønn: 0
  
  Maksimal lønn: 0
  
  Arbeidsgiver Navn: Universitetet i Oslo, Museum of Cultural
  
  Arbeidsgiver adresse: 0313 OSLO
  
  Job kort beskrivelse: Archivists and curators
  
  Land: Norge
  
  Region: Oslo
  
  Kilde til jobbtilbud: NAV, Offentlige arbeidsformidlinger, Norge
  
  Hvordan søke: Annet - se fritekst
  
  Lønn valuta: NOK
  
  Lønn periode: Pr. år
  
  
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