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

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The AMASZINC PhD project at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers a four-year research position combining isotope geochemistry, archaeology, and advanced analytical techniques to study cremated remains from Iron Age and Roman populations.

Starting March 1, 2027, the project collaborates with VUB (Brussels) and Observatoire Midi Pyrénées/CNRS (Toulouse). The successful candidate will work across institutions, developing new Sr and Zn methods and disseminating findings at major conferences.

Qualifications

• MSc in Earth Sciences or Archaeological Sciences.
• Excellent command of English, written and spoken.
• Willingness to travel, especially to Brussels and Toulouse.
• Hands-on experience with relevant analytical techniques is an advantage.
• Affinity with numerical modelling (Python, R).

Responsibilities

• 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 new approaches for Zn concentrations and isotope analysis of cremated bone.
• Present findings at national and international conferences.
• Publish research findings in international peer-reviewed journals.
• Complete a paper-based PhD thesis and defend it at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
• Participate in the training programme of the SENSE graduate school.

Skills

Analytical techniques

Numerical modelling

English communication

Teamwork

Education

MSc in Earth Sciences or Archaeological Sciences

Tools

Python

R

Job description

PhD: Analysing and Mapping strontium and zinc in cremations (AMASZINC) — Do you want to work with archaeological material and advanced analytical techniques in an interdisciplinary research environment? And research funerary rituals and pyre temperatures from cremated bones?

• Onderzoeksgebouw VU
• Amsterdam
• 0.8 / 1
• MSc
• Faculty of Science

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

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 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

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 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.

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.