PhD Studentship: Understanding the Past, Securing the Future: Advanced Techniques for the Detection of Chemical Hazards in Archive Repositories Through Heritage Science (ADeCHAR)

AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership

Applications are invited for a PhD studentship, to be undertaken at Cranfield University (CU, Defence Chemistry Department) and the National Archives (TNA). This studentship will be jointly supervised by Dr Licia Dossi and Dr Fiona Brock at CU and Dr Marc Vermeulen and Dr Elizabeth Haines at TNA. The student will be based at CU and will spend concentrated periods of time at TNA. 

Summary of Project:

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 analyse 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.
• Understand 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
• Inform 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. 

Funding:

CDP doctoral training grants fund full-time studentships for 48 months (4 years) or part-time equivalent.

The studentship is open to both home and international applicants and covers home level tuition fees and a stipend of £19,237 per year.

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.

An additional travel and related expenses grant will be provided courtesy of The National Archives, worth up to £1000 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.

Eligibility:

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

Further Information and application:

Contact Dr Dossi ([email protected] ) or Dr Vermeulen ([email protected] ).

The application should include a covering letter, and your CV.

Closing Date: 26 June 2024 by midnight