Postdoc: Heritage Polymer Degradation & Wool Conservation

Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences; Polska; On-site; PLN 100,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

The Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow invites applications for an Assistant Professor (Postdoc) position in the Cultural Heritage Research group to implement the NCN OPUS 30 project on evaluating wool deterioration in historical tapestries.

The successful candidate will develop artificial aging methods, perform polymer analysis, and contribute to preserving heritage textiles using advanced spectroscopy and mechanical testing.

Qualifications

• Experience in analysis of properties of polymer materials, supported by JRC publications.
• Experience in investigation of degradation of polymer materials, supported by JRC publications.
• Experience in the area of heritage science, supported by JRC publications.

Responsibilities

• Develop an appropriate method for artificial aging of wool yarns and conduct experiments.
• Conduct experiments using dynamic mechanical analysis and static strength tests with abiaxial tester.
• Determine optimal chemical and physical indicators of degradation and damage to yarns and fabrics.
• Determine the damage function for woolen tapestries relating degradation to factors like acidity, dyes, metal ions, or environmental conditions.
• Gain experience in analysis of properties of polymer materials.
• Investigate degradation of polymer materials using spectroscopic, diffraction and chromatographic methods.

Skills

Polymer materials analysis

Polymer degradation investigation

Heritage science

Education

PhD in related field

Tools

Spectroscopy

Diffraction

Chromatography

Job description

The Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow invites applications for an Assistant Professor (Postdoc) position in the Cultural Heritage Research group to implement the NCN OPUS 30 project on evaluating wool deterioration in historical tapestries.

The successful candidate will develop artificial aging methods, perform polymer analysis, and contribute to preserving heritage textiles using advanced spectroscopy and mechanical testing.