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

Vrije Universisteit; Amsterdam; Sur place; EUR 36 000 - 45 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Holiday leave 232 hours/year

8% holiday allowance

8.3% end-of-year bonus

Commuting expenses

Personalized benefits package

Group insurance for partial disability

Résumé du poste

The AMASZINC PhD position at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam aims to investigate mobility, diet, and funerary practices of Iron Age and Roman populations using laser ablation and Sr/Zn isotope analysis. The project collaborates with VUB and CNRS across the Netherlands, Belgium, Slovenia and Portugal.

You will perform high-precision Sr isotope measurements, map cremated bone, and contribute to a paper-based PhD thesis, with opportunities to present at conferences and publish in journals.

Qualifications

• MSc in Earth Sciences or Archaeological Sciences required.
• Strong motivation and interest in archaeology.
• Willingness to travel and work abroad for short periods.

Responsabilités

• Investigate mobility and dietary histories of Iron Age and Roman populations.
• Perform laser ablation mapping of cremated bone.
• Conduct high-precision 87Sr/86Sr and δ87Sr analyses using TIMS and MC-ICP-MS.
• Develop and test new approaches for Zn concentrations and isotope analysis of cremated bone.
• Present findings at national and international conferences.
• Publish research results in international peer-reviewed journals.

Connaissances

Python

R

Analytical techniques

English communication

Formation

MSc in Earth Sciences or Archaeological Sciences

Outils

TIMS

MC-ICP-MS

ICP-MS

ICP-OES

Laser ablation

Description du poste

Your function

Starting date: March 1, 2027

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.

Your duties

• 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

Your profile

• 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.

What do we offer?

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

• 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

About us

Project and research group
The AMASZINC project will be carried out within our multi-disciplinary Isotope Geochemistry research group addressing a wide range of scientific fields, including geochemistry, planetary science, archaeology, environmental science, and forensic research. The NIGeL facility (https://nigel.amsterdam/) is unique in the Netherlands with 2 TIMS, 2 MC-ICP-MS, 1 ICP-MS and 1 ICP-OES instruments and two laser systems for in situ analyses. A new metal free clean laboratory is to be installed within new VO Research Building.

Department of Earth Sciences
The Department of Earth Sciences offers a broad and interdisciplinary research environment, with strong expertise in isotope geochemistry, environmental sciences, archaeology and forensic science. The department has state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, including the Netherlands Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory and the Stable Isotope Laboratory. Our researchers work across disciplines and collaborate on a wide range of research questions, from understanding Earth processes to addressing questions relevant to society. The department’s research facilities are regarded as outstanding, while the department’s international focus fosters national and international collaboration generating high‑quality research. The Department furthermore offers an Earth Sciences BSc and a MSc teaching programme.

Faculty of Science
Working at the Faculty of Science means collaborating with students, lecturers and researchers who are focused on their field, yet have a broad view of the world. We are proud of a positive and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy and just future.

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.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values‑driven education and research. We are open‑minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

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.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

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.