Understanding the Past, Securing the Future: Advanced techniques for the detection of chemical hazards in Archive Repositories through Heritage Science

Cranfield University and The National Archives are pleased to announce the availability of a fully funded collaborative doctoral studentship from October 2024, under the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)’s Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Scheme . The aim of this studentship is to develop an easy-to-use handheld detector targeting hazardous chemicals in archives repositories.

The PhD holder will adapt and optimise the handheld CRIM-TRACK sniffer sensor, currently able to detect vapours of illicit substances, to a new detection scenario of historical pesticides within archives. The investigation will also be extended to other analytical techniques. Application of the novel device to TNA’s large collection (and beyond) will inform variability in worldwide historic archival practices and inform current storage and access regimes.

By intertwining engineering, chemistry and history, the supervision will ensure a comprehensive interdisciplinary research experience for the PhD student. The project will also provide a novel methodology for detecting hazardous pesticides with important benefits and impact to both academic and professional audiences, in the UK and overseas.

It will be jointly supervised by Dr Licia Dossi at Cranfield University and Dr Marc Vermeulen at The National Archives. The student will be expected to spend time at both Cranfield University and The National Archives.

Preliminary scientific and archival research demonstrated that large portions of governmental records have been historically treated with various hazardous insecticidal agents between the mid-19th and mid-20th century. Such practice offers a window on past archival practices but also poses access and health and safety issues for staff and stakeholders, and therefore require particular attention. 

This AHRC-funded multidisciplinary project will address the need for identifying the residual pesticides in historical records by targeting harmful chemicals and their breakdown products. The colourimetric technology of the CRIM-TRACK detection sensor, currently used for illicit materials and their precursor chemicals, will be modified to detect pesticides non-invasively in archival materials. 

The outcomes from this research will inform on past archival practices around the globe, feed into new practices and open new avenues for safer and more informed collection access and monitoring. 

This project also contributes to the innovative application of heritage science methods and the development of heritage scientists in the UK, coinciding with the start of UKRI's RICHeS initiative.

Fully-funded Studentship

The award pays tuition fees up to the value of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) full-time home rate for PhD degrees. The UKRI Indicative Fee Level for 2024/25 is £4,786.

For home students: the Home rate for PhD degrees, doctoral stipend for 2024/25 is £19,237. An additional travel and related expenses grant will be provided during the course of the project, courtesy of The National Archives, worth up to £1,000 per year for 4 years.

For international students: they must provide the difference between home (£4,786) and overseas (£19,675) fees and visa fees.

Further details can be found on the UKRI website .

CDP students will also have access to training and development opportunities throughout the course of their PhD, supported and facilitated by the CDP Consortium itself, Cranfield University and The National Archives. CDP4 students will be expected to undertake a work placement or development opportunity for a minimum of a 3-month period (or equivalent).

Applications are invited for a PhD studentship, to be undertaken at Cranfield University Defence Chemistry Department and the National Archives (TNA). This studentship will be jointly supervised by Dr Licia Dossi and Dr Fiona Brock at Cranfield University and Dr Marc Vermeulen and Dr Elizabeth Haines at TNA. The student will be based at Cranfield University (UK Defense Academy at Shrivenham, Oxfordshire) and will spend concentrated periods of time at TNA. This is an exciting interdisciplinary project involving close collaboration between chemists with expertise in detection methods, heritage scientists, archive collection experts and historians.

This multidisciplinary PhD studentship (ADeCHAR) will investigate the historic application of pesticides to paper-based collections through the development of a novel, simple and effective colourimetric method for their detection in archive collections. ADeCHAR will study the mechanisms used to detect harmful chemicals (pesticides) and their breakdown products through chemistry, applied analytical chemistry and sensor technologies with the aim to deliver a new advanced detection tool. Alongside this, a machine learning approach will be utilised with the aim of efficiently analysing large datasets, the extraction of meaningful information and the creation of a chemical database.

The PhD student will be involved in the adaptation of the CRIM-TRACK detection device, previously developed at Cranfield through collaborative research with EU partners, for the detection of pesticides in archive collections. The student will oversee the following activities:

• Identification of harmful chemicals in archived items,
• Selection of responsive molecules (dyes) chemicals for the CRIM-TRACK colourimetric microchip,
• Understanding the response detection mechanism,
• Fabrication of the colourimetric microchips,
• Collection, analysis and validation of detection data in laboratory and The National Archives scenarios,
• Creation of a chemical database,
• Information about safer access and environment for archives staff and visitors.

The ADeCHAR project is ambitious and will address very important aspects for the detection of harmful chemicals. The PhD programme will inform on past archival practice around the globe, feed into new practices and open new avenues for safer and more informed collection access and monitoring. This project will also contribute to the innovative application of heritage science methods and the development of heritage scientists in the UK, coinciding with the start of UKRI’s RICHeS initiative.

Research students at Cranfield benefit from being part of a dynamic, focused and professional study environment and all become valued members of theCranfield Doctoral Network . This Network brings together both research students and staff, providing a platform for our researchers to share ideas, identify opportunities for collaboration and create smaller communities of practice. It aims to encourage an effective and vibrant research culture, founded upon the diversity of activities and knowledge. A tailored programme of seminars and events alongside our Doctoral Researchers Core Development programme (transferable skills training), provide those studying a research degree with a wealth of social and networking opportunities.

Within CDS, Cranfield Forensic Institute (which is based at both Shrivenham and Cranfield’s main campus in Bedfordshire) has significant expertise in Heritage Science, Archaeology/Archaeological Science, and Heritage Crime.

Cranfield University and The National Archives aim to be inclusive organisations, reflecting the diverse needs and aspirations of employees and researchers and promoting equality of access for all. We are committed to tackling barriers to participation by creating a culture that encourages respect and values difference. We want to encourage the widest range of potential students to study for a CDP studentship and are committed to welcoming students from different backgrounds to apply. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds as they are currently underrepresented at this level in this area.

Our Learning Support Officers are here to help guide and support students with specific learning support needs or impairments. They will work with you to understand how your condition may affect your studies, discuss options available to you and co-ordinate reasonable adjustments to support you. 

Support or adjustments may include (but are not limited to):

• Opportunity to speak with supervisors about the project and process;
• Opportunity to speak with contacts at Cranfield University and/or The National Archives regarding institutional support systems (eg Neurodiversity, Racial Diversity and LGBTIAQ+ networks, mental health support for carers and more);
• Access to the topics covered within the interview and insight into the interview process.

Should you require any reasonable adjustments or support throughout the application process, please contact [email protected] or [email protected] .

• Application deadline26 Jun 2024
• Award type(s)PhD
• Start date01 Oct 2024
• Duration of awardFull time: 4 years - Part time: 8 years
• EligibilityUK, Rest of world, Europe
• Reference numberCDS070

Applicants should have master’s degree (or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience in a professional setting) in chemistry or related subject, be able to carry out independently organic synthesis and analytical chemistry, and a good understanding of software integration and graphical user interface tools. Interest in cultural heritage-related topics is desirable but not essential.

All applicants must meet the UKRI terms and conditions for funding.

This PhD is offered as full and part time. The student will be based at Cranfield University and will spend concentrated periods of time at The National Archives.

Candidates are encouraged to contact the supervisors if they want to discuss practicalities of part-time study.

To be eligible for these funding, applicants must be Home or International Applicants.

Fully funded PhD studentship under the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Scheme.

• To be classed as a Home student, candidate must meet the following criteria:
• Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or, 
• Have settled status, or, 
• Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or, 
• Have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

For international students: they must provide the difference between home (£4,786) and overseas (£19,675) fees and visa fees.

If you are eligible to apply for this PhD, please complete the online application form.

For information about the technical programme please contact: [email protected]   or [email protected]

For information about applications please contact: [email protected] 

A CV and supporting coversheet is required.