PhD: Mapping Strontium & Zinc in Cremated Remains

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

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday leave 232 hours/year

8% holiday allowance

8.3% end-of-year bonus

Commuting expenses

Personalized benefits package

Group insurance for partial disability

Job summary

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.

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 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.

Skills

Python

R

Analytical techniques

English communication

Education

MSc in Earth Sciences or Archaeological Sciences

Tools

TIMS

MC-ICP-MS

ICP-MS

ICP-OES

Laser ablation

Job description

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.