11.03.2025
Rathgen-Forschungslabor
The Rathgen Heritage Science Scholarship, which has been awarded annually since 2009, is intended to enable young professionals to undertake their own research project at the Rathgen-Forschungslabor. The deadline for 2025 applications is 15 April 2025.
The scholarship enables early-career researchers to conduct a research project for 1 to 3 months at the Rathgen Research Laboratory.
Applicants must choose one of the proposed research topics and demonstrate relevant prior knowledge in the field.
For the new inventory catalogue, late Antique and Byzantine ivories shall be examined with a focus on art-technology and material analysis in collaboration with scientists and conservators from the Museum of Byzantine Art. The group of around 50 works includes pyxides (round boxes), panels, boxes and olifants (ivory trumpets). The analyses (including microscopy, FTIR, XRF) will be carried out on selected pieces that provide an insight into the historical production technique and materiality. Ageing phenomena (such as efflorescence) will be examined on selected examples.
The scope of the project is to examine the effects of different types of commercially available hand-held fire extinguishers (e.g., ABC powder, foam, and water fog extinguishers) on cultural assets made of various materials. Their damage potential will be determined and documented as part of a series of experiments.
Prior to this, the current state of research and practical experience will be collected and summarized. The project may result in recommendations for use in a museum context. Further research on cleaning and aftercare is also possible.
All applications will be evaluated by the selection committee based on their scientific relevance and potential synergies with the ongoing research at the Rathgen Research Laboratory.
The following documents must be submitted:
Deadline for 2025 applications is 15 April 2025.
Please submit your application electronically to: rf[at]smb.spk-berlin.de or by mail to:
Rathgen-Forschungslabor
Scholarship -
Schlossstrasse 1 A, 14059 Berlin
Germany
As the leading institution for cultural heritage research within the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin the Rathgen-Forschungslabor (Rathgen Research Laboratory) investigates aging and weathering processes of art and cultural assets, develops sustainable preservation and restoration strategies in the context of global change, and actively contributes to the sustainability debate in the Green Museum. A particular focus lies on the development of analytical, especially non-destructive, investigation technologies as well as on questions regarding the documentation and digital accessibility of cultural heritage. Further research areas include preventive conservation, art technology, and archaeometry.
The Rathgen-Forschungslabor continues the work of the world’s oldest museum laboratory, founded on 1 April 1888, as the Chemical Laboratory of the Royal Museums of Berlin. It is named after its first director, Friedrich Rathgen.
The Förderkreis des Rathgen-Forschungslabors e. V. (Friends of the Rathgen Research Laboratory) support the scientific work of the laboratory in various ways, particularly by promoting young researchers. In this context, the “Rathgen Heritage Science Scholarship” has been awarded annually since 2009.