Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Radiocarbon Dating
The Department of Archaeology at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History (MPI-SHH) is a leading global centre for archaeology that combines expertise in field and laboratory methods. Our research is focused on developing and implementing cutting-edge new methods for exploring our species’ past. To do this, we work at the interface of multiple disciplines, including archaeology, ecology, biology, and evolutionary studies. We are interested in how a deep time perspective can shed new light on contemporary issues ranging from climate change and anthropogenic environmental impacts to migration, inequality, and food security.
Our community and working environment
Our student and post-doctoral community is international and diverse. We are a lively, friendly, and active department that hosts a broad variety of projects, workshops, conferences, meetings, speakers and other events. We prioritise training students and postdoctoral researchers not only in research methods and skills, but in all aspects of academic life, providing professional development training to ensure our students and postdoctoral researchers reach their best potential, and are fully prepared for the job market, for applying for funding, and for dealing with the challenges of academic life. The success of this approach is reflected in our placement rates. Although we are a young department, we have a strong record of placing postdoctoral researchers in tenure-track and other academic positions.
We are committed to encouraging diversity and actively challenging biases based on gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion and other components of identity. We strive to undertake ethical research, and to foreground training and capacity building as a core part of our international research. To this end, we have established the International Application of Archaeological Science training programme, which is held annually in our Department, and welcomes scholars from around the world for intensive training in archaeological science methods.
Our working language is English.
Our facilities
We have world-leading facilities for archaeological science. These include extensive facilities for bulk and compound-specific stable isotope studies, lipid and alkane analyses, Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS), proteomics, SEM and light microscopy, and microfossil studies, as well as laboratories for archaeobotany and zooarchaeology. We are in the process of expanding our laboratory facilities to include amino acid and metabolite capabilities, and AMS radiocarbon dating. We also have extensive equipment for digital field archaeology, as well as laboratory facilities for 3-D scanning and analysis, photography and geospatial modelling. Our work is supported by expertise in database management, statistical analysis and bioinformatics, as well as central facilities for media outreach and third party funding applications. Our institute is home to an International Max Planck Research School that supports student activities and teaching.
We have active projects around the world, particularly in Africa and Asia.
Our offer
We are currently offering a 2-year funded Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Radiocarbon Dating. The suitable candidate will develop a programme of research in collaboration with their supervisors, will take leadership of that programme, and will see the research through to publication. Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in the Department of Archaeology are extendable in exceptional circumstances, such as when postdoctoral researchers demonstrate significant success in terms of their research programme, publication output and commitment to the building and success of the department.
We offer a flexible start date, ideally between 1 November 2019 - 1 February 2020. The successful applicant will be provided with intellectual, technical and resource support for the development of world-leading research, and will have the opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team of PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and group leaders. The pay scale is according to the German pay grade system for public employees (TVöD).
Our expectation
The Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History provides a research-focused environment for scholars to develop innovative, world-leading projects. We seek Postdoctoral Research Fellows with a passion for cross-disciplinary, team-oriented research, and an ability to work efficiently and complete projects in a timely manner. Postdoctoral researchers are expected to publish findings in top-tier, international research journals, and to support media interest in their research. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to finish projects to the publication stage, and to formulate research articles that fill key gaps and answer central questions in their fields of study.
The successful candidate will develop projects collaboratively with supervisors in the Department of Archaeology, and work in an interdisciplinary fashion. Research projects should address the Department’s core interests, including the anthropogenic shaping of environments and species; the impacts of past climate change on human societies; the co-evolution of humans and domesticated species; human dispersals and migration; and the effects of increasing complexity, urbanisation and globalisation on human populations and societies. Preference will be given to candidates proposing projects focused on Asia and Africa.
We expect our postdoctoral researchers to play an active role in department life, and to contribute to supporting the department in a variety of ways. Our postdoctoral researchers help teach, train and supervise students, run committees, organise research, professional development and social events, and create a supportive environment for all staff members and visitors.
Position-specific details: Radiocarbon Dating
A Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Radiocarbon Dating is sought to join the new radiocarbon laboratory at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History. The successful applicant will play an active role in setting up and improving protocols for the preparation of organic archaeological samples for radiocarbon measurements, collaborate with ongoing projects at the institute to address a wide variety of chronological issues, and develop new chronological projects. The applicant is expected to work cooperatively within a team environment involving members of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History and the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry in Jena, Germany.
The successful candidate will have a strong record of lab experience in pre-treating samples for radiocarbon dating, chronological modelling, and publication relating to radiocarbon dating and chronologies. The candidate is expected to demonstrate experience in interdisciplinary research and the application of radiocarbon methods to investigate a variety of sample types, archaeological cultures, and time periods.
The successful applicant will work in concert with his/her supervisor and the research teams in the Department of Archaeology. Research topics addressed by the Department of Archaeology include the dispersal of peoples, animals, and plants, the relationship between climate and human societies, and the impact of humans on past ecosystems. The successful candidate will also provide support to other researchers and students in the department, assisting in in the planning and implementation of chronological projects.
Your qualifications
Essential:
- Have or be about to obtain a PhD degree or qualification equivalent in radiocarbon dating, archaeological sciences or a closely related field.
- A strong record of peer-reviewed publication.
- Experience in Bayesian modelling.
- Experience in the pre-treatment of organic samples for radiocarbon dating.
- Absolute reliability and a strong sense of responsibility.
- Candidates should demonstrate experience of working as part of a research team and a willingness to help build up and develop the new radiocarbon laboratory at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.
- Ability to multi-task, find creative solutions to problems when necessary, and meet tight deadlines.
Advantageous:
- Previous archaeological experience within the main research themes of the department of Archaeology.
- Experience in dating methods other than radiocarbon dating.
- Knowledge of a variety of archaeological science methodologies, including their different potentials and flaws.
For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://www.shh.mpg.de/1274332/da-postdoc-radiocarbon-dating