Description of the thesis topic

PhD Title: Deciphering macromolecular networks in ancient materials: interactions and assemblies

Context. Deciphering the molecular complexity of cultural heritage objects is central to understand an artwork or a museum object, how it was created or how it has changed over time. Molecular information can place objects in time, in space and in context. It informs us on societal, cultural and economic aspects of the past communities. It plays also a central role in conservation and preservation strategies as well as authentication.

PhD Objectives. This PhD work will use unexplored and multifaceted developments in analytical chemistry to decipher in situ chemistries of ancient proteins (i.e. networks, molecular assemblies and interactions). To achieve these aims, the PhD fellow will design, assess, and deploy the most advanced and next generation workflows based on high-resolution mass spectrometry, employing the latest technical developments, several which have never been applied to Cultural Heritage, involving omics methods (top down, bottom up), structural mass spectrometry (XLMS and HDXMS) and MS imaging (MALDI IMS). The developed workflows will be miniaturized; tailored to the study of very small sample amounts (trace analysis). A fundamental challenge is to bridge the gap between the information currently available, which is mainly based on individual classes of molecule independent of their matrices, with understanding “multi-component materials” that inherently have highly complex interactions. This PhD project will address specific questions about:

(i) Material manufacture and origin – The constituent or impregnated biomolecules identified in art objects can lead to more confident placement of artworks to geographic locations, cultures, or individuals

(ii) Attribution - a better knowledge of protein/lipid in situ chemistries and their networks / assemblies can make a significant contribution to understanding the materials that artists select and how they use them.

(iii) Preservation- the evolving chemical knowledge of paint alteration over time will shed new light on the consequences of cleaning and other conservation treatments. Both chemical characterization and imaging approaches will be used to determine the (in)organic paint and degradation components spatially resolved in microscopic paint cross sections.

The PhD project will benefit from the exceptional environment of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, through its collections, the direct link with experts of other disciplines (conservators, art historians, archaeologists) as well as the scientists at the MET.

Work Context

Location: Institute of Chemistry and Biology of Membranes and Nanoobjects (CBMN), UMR CNR 5248 http://www.cbmn.u-bordeaux.fr/ and Proteome Platform of the University of Bordeaux https://proteome.u-bordeaux.fr/

Research environment: The PhD project will benefit from the exceptional environment of CNRS International Laboratory IRP ARCHE with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, U.S.A. https://arche.cnrs.fr/

Expertise of the team: High resolution mass spectrometry for qualitative, quantitative and structural, as well as MALDI imaging. Analytical workflows for macromolecular trace analysis. Coordination / partnership in transdisciplinary projects and European networks (ETN PUSHH, IPERION HS), organizer of the International School on Advanced Mass Spectrometry applied to Cultural Heritage and associated symposium involving consortium pioneers' researchers https://bss-appliedchemistry.u-bordeaux.fr/en/

The position is located in a sector under the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that your arrival is authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.

Additional Information

Essential and Preferred Experience and Skills
- Chemistry or biochemistry background
- Demonstrated knowledge of analytical chemistry, in particular, mass spectrometry (theoretical and experimental).
- Demonstrated experience in bioinformatics analysis and statistical validation of the results is a valued plus.

Other Skills
- Good communication skills in written and oral English is required.
- Integrity, motivation, organization, and good collaboration skills.
- Ability to comfortably work in a highly interdisciplinary environment with colleagues with different scientific backgrounds.