Biography

Edith Joseph received in 2001 an MSc degree in fine and materials chemistry from the University of Nantes (France).

In 2003, she joined the Microchemistry and Microscopy Art Diagnostic Laboratory, (University of Bologna, Italy) under the mentorship of Prof. Rocco Mazzeo. She fully engaged within the Eu-ARTECH project (2004-2009) on the development and evaluation of new treatments for the conservation-restoration of outdoor stone and bronze monuments. In 2009, she obtained a PhD degree in chemistry on the application of FTIR microspectroscopy to cultural heritage materials.

From 2010 to 2012, her Marie Curie fellowship at the Swiss National Museum aimed at the development of biological protective treatments for copper, iron and silver artefacts (BAHAMAS, 2010-2012). In 2010, she was awarded from the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions with a prize celebrating the 50’000th Marie Curie fellow, for outstanding research addressing societal challenge.

In 2013, she was granted at the University of Neuchâtel with a Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) Ambizione grant on the use of microorganisms for the desalination of archaeological iron (MAIA, 2013-2016). In 2016, she obtained a prestigious SNSF Professorship proposing a breakthrough innovation, yet eco-friendly strategy for the conservation of wooden artefacts after excavation (MICMAC and Get on Board 2016-2023).

In parallel since 2012, she is employed as associate professor at the Haute Ecole Arc Conservation Restauration (University of Applied Sciences and Arts HES-SO) and developed her research activities on green technologies applied to cultural heritage involving both the University of Neuchâtel and this institution.

Her research interests focus on the development of green conservation strategies for the preservation of cultural heritage. Her main research activities include the application of spectroscopic techniques for the study of environmental processes and their interaction with artworks (atmospheric, lacustrine and terrestrial environment).

Since 2003, she participated as a conservation scientist in more than 30 Italian, Swiss and international research projects about polychromed artworks (paintings, ceramics, leather and metals), archaeological objects and outdoor bronze monuments.

She is a member of the International Council of Museums- Committee for Conservation (ICOM-CC), and Swiss Chemical Society (SCS).

She is author of more than 60 papers published in international journals and books.

List of publications