PhD: Analysing and Mapping strontium and zinc in cremations (AMASZINC)

• degree in MSc in Earth Sciences or Archaeological Sciences
• strong scientific motivation and interest in archaeology
• hands-on experience with relevant analytical techniques is an advantage
• affinity with numerical modelling (Python, R)
• readiness to travel and work abroad for short periods of time (especially in Brussels and Toulouse)
• driving license is desirable
• excellent ability to communicate in both written and spoken English
• good social skills

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of € 3.204,00 (PhD) and maximum € 4.051,00 (PhD) gross per month in the fourth year, for a full-time employment
• an employment contract of initially 1 year. If there is sufficient perspective, this will be extended to a total of 4 years. Your dissertation at the end of the fourth year forms the end of your employment contract

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and arrangements. Some examples:

• a full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package
• group insured for partial disability with employer contribution of 50% of the premium

We offer a four-year PhD position within the NWO-funded AMASZINC (Analysing and MApping Strontium and Zinc IN Cremations to reconstruct diet, mobility, and funerary practices of ancient human and animal populations) project, which aims to develop new ways of studying mobility, diet, and funerary practices from cremated human and animal remains. The project combines cutting-edge laser ablation techniques with Sr and Zn concentration and isotope ratio analysis to unlock information preserved in burnt bone. The project is carried out in close collaboration with Prof. Christophe Snoeck at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Dr. Klervia Jaouen at Observatoire Midi Pyrénées/CNRS, Toulouse, France, offering opportunities to work across institutions and research fields.

• investigating mobility and dietary histories as well as funerary practices of Iron Age and Roman populations from the Netherlands, Belgium, Slovenia, and Portugal
• performing laser ablation mapping of cremated bone
• conducting high-precision ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and δ⁸⁸Sr analyses using TIMS and MC-ICP-MS
• developing and testing new approaches for Zn concentrations and isotope ratio analysis of cremated bone
• presenting findings at national and international scientific conferences
• publishing research findings in international peer-reviewed journals
• completing a paper-based PhD thesis and defending it at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
• participating in the training programme of the SENSE graduate school

From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from helium to the universe and from genetics to medicine: our education and research cover the full breadth of science, from molecules to mankind. Our academic education and research are highly experimental, technical and interdisciplinary in nature. That is why we collaborate extensively with leading scientific institutes and industry. The faculty has more than 8,000 students studying in one of the 39 programms and employs more than 1,400 staff across 10 scientific departments, making us one of the largest science faculties in the Netherlands.

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility.  Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application.

Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process.

Applications should include:

• cover letter with motivation (maximum 1 page)
• short CV (maximum 1 page)
• grade list (of all finalized courses)
• MSc thesis (for those who have not finished their degree, this could be a draft version)
• names and contact details of two references

A first round of (Teams) interviews will be scheduled early November. A second round of interviews will take place October/November on site (travel costs will be reimbursed) or online depending on logistical feasibility.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.