Applications are invited for an AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership PhD studentship, to be undertaken at the University of Leeds (School of Design) and the British Museum (Department of Conservation and Scientific Research).

Summary of Project:
The combination of tannins (from galls, bark, leaves or fruits) with iron (from vitriol, mud or iron filings) yields rich black dyes that have been used worldwide possibly since prehistoric times, and are still used in parts of the world today. Unfortunately iron-tannate dyes are inherently self-destructive and can seriously damage the materials to which they are applied. Such materials are widespread in any museum containing ethnographic and/or textile collections, their preservation presents a major challenge and deterioration can lead to the total loss of affected areas. This project endeavours to develop and adapt chemical stabilisation methods into practical conservation treatments which could effectively halt the autocatalytic deterioration by arresting the metal ion redox cycle using antioxidants and deacidification agents.
https://www.postgraduatestudentships.co.uk/study-or-funding/phd-or-doctoral/breaking-cycle-self-destruction-developing-remedial-conservation-treatments-iron-tannate-dyed--0

For informal enquiries, please contact Chris Carr ([log in to unmask]<https://www.postgraduatestudentships.co.uk/links/goto/40236/18909/outlinks>) and Marei Hacke ([log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>).

Application is by covering letter and CV and should be sent to [log in to unmask]<https://www.postgraduatestudentships.co.uk/links/goto/40236/18909/outlinks>
Application deadline: 25 September 2014

Marei Hacke, Scientist, Department of Conservation and Scientific Research, The British Museum, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG London, UK