International PhD Fellowship in Archaeology 2018-2021 at the University of Bergen, Norway

University of Bergen

The University of Bergen (UiB) is an internationally recognised research university with more than 14,000 students and close to 3,500 employees at six faculties. The university is located in the heart of Bergen. Our main contribution to society is excellent basic research and education across a wide range of disciplines.

 PhD fellowship in Archaeology with specialization in Isotopic Analysis at SapienCE

 The Centre for Early Sapiens Behaviour (SapienCE) invites applications for a PhD research fellowship in the field of reconstructing Pleistocene sea surface temperatures through isotopic analysis of marine shellfish from southern African archaeological sites that fall within the time period 100 – 50 000 years.

 About CoE schemes and SapienCE:

SapienCE is a Centre of Excellence (CoE) funded by the Research Council of Norway, and based at the Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies and Religion (AHKR), University of Bergen. SapienCE is directed by Professor Christopher Henshilwood, and focuses on the behavioural origins of Homo sapiens in southern Africa between 100,000-50,000 years ago. The core research within the CoE is led by the Leader Group, comprising five Principal Investigators and the Director. An inter-disciplinary team of scientists, at UiB and at the facilities of the international partners, integrates high-resolution records of early human cultural, social, technological and subsistence behaviours with innovative geoarchaeological, climate and cognitive data models. This holistic approach will provide ground-breaking insight into the diverse aspects of what it means to be human.

About the research training:

The main purpose of the PhD position is to complete a doctoral thesis, which qualifies for independent research and for other forms of employment that demand specific competency. The successful PhD Candidate, will be enrolled at the PhD program at UiB which entails an educational program/research training. It is a condition that the candidate satisfies the enrolment requirements for the PhD program at the University of Bergen.

About the position:

The duration of the PhD position is 3 years. The PhD position demands that the applicant has his or her regular workplace at the University of Bergen, SapienCE CoE offices, and that the incumbent complies with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

 The main objectives for the position:

• To engage in independent scientific research that will address core themes of the SapienCE research project, namely the origins of early Homo sapiens behaviour
• To do Isotopic analysis of shellfish from cave and shelter sites in the southern Cape, South Africa with the objective to reconstruct past sea surface temperatures during the periods that the sites were inhabited.
• To pursue innovative approaches to shellfish analysis (geochemical and other) to address key issues related to Homo sapiens during the Middle Stone Age in southern Africa
• To participate in annual fieldwork and excavations in South Africa.
• To actively contribute to the academic life of the SapienCE research group that is based in Bergen.

The research will be done at the SapienCE premises located at the University of Bergen, Norway, in the field and at our laboratories in South Africa. SapienCE offers excellent facilities for isotopic analyses for research relating to early Homo sapiens.

The candidate's main supervisor will normally come from the academic staff within SapienCE. .

Qualifications and personal qualities:

The applicants must normally hold a Norwegian master's degree or the equivalent in a discipline that is relevant for the PhD project. It is a condition of employment that the master's degree has been awarded at the time of application. Applicants who do not have a Norwegian master’s degree will be evaluated according to the regulations of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT).

 A background in archaeology including stable isotopes is required. Experience with environmental science and/or climate dynamics is an advantage.

 Excellent communication skills and fluency in both written and spoken English are required.

 The candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment for scientific research, be able to work independently, in a structured manner and interactively in a team setting, be responsible, and have a high work capacity. Driver licence (Norwegian category B or equal) is an advantage.

 We can offer:

• A good and professionally challenging working environment.

• Salary at pay grade 51 (Code 1017/Pay range 20, alternative 9) in the state salary scale, currently approx. NOK 449.000 gross p.a. following ordinary meriting regulations.

• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

• A position in an inclusive workplace (IA enterprise).

• Good welfare benefits.

 How to apply for the job:

Please apply electronically via the link «APPLY FOR THIS JOB». The application must include: 

• A dissertation proposal that also includes a presentation of the applicant's qualifications, research interests and motivation for applying for the position (max 5 pages)

• CV

• The names and contact information for two reference persons. One of these must be a supervisor from the master’s programme

• An electronic version of the master’s thesis

• Scanned versions of original or certified copies of all academic diplomas and transcripts.

• Relevant certificates/references

• List of academic publications (if any)

The application and appendices with certified translations into English must be uploaded at Jobbnorge. The enclosures can be submitted as Word- or pdf-files.

 General information:

Further information about the position can be obtained by contacting the Director of Centre for Early Sapiens Behaviour, Professor Christopher Stuart Henshilwood, tel. +47 55 58 90 99, e-mail: Christopher.Henshilwood@uib.no, or the Head of Department, Professor Jan Heiret, by e-mail, jan.heiret@uib.no or telephone + 47 55 58 97 62.

 The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. Age and gender balance among employees is therefore a goal. People with immigrant backgrounds are encouraged to apply for the position.

 The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions. Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.