Post Doc: Process modelling of archaeological technology
Level: Doctorate
Working hours: 30-34 hours weekly
Contract: 4 year
Salary: 3389 - 4274 euros monthly (full-time basis)
Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
The 3mE Faculty trains committed engineering students, PhD candidates and post-doctoral researchers in groundbreaking scientific research in the fields of mechanical, maritime and materials engineering. 3mE is the epitome of a dynamic, innovative faculty, with a European scope that contributes demonstrable economic and social benefits.
The department of Materials Science and Engineering of the faculty 3mE aims to provide internationally recognised, high quality research of benefit to industry and society, addressing lifecycle, structure, properties and functionality from a physicochemical perspective. Within the Department, the Materials in Art and Archaeology Section develops and applies ground-breaking, analytical concepts for studying (pre)historic objects. Our expertise centres on the elemental, structural and molecular characterisation of materials for technical art history and conservation. We have close collaborations with (inter)nationally leading partners in art, archaeology and science. We bridge the gap between the sciences and the humanities in both education and research.
‘Ancient adhesives: a window on prehistoric technology’ is funded by the ERC through a Starting Grant. The team comprises the project investigator, 3 postdocs, 1 PhD student and 1 technician. At Leiden University you will work with Dr Jetty Kleijn, process modelling expert, and Dr Frank Takes, network specialist. You will be based in Delft.
Job description
The ERC Ancient Adhesives project at TU Delft, the Netherlands, addresses the most crucial problem in Palaeolithic archaeology: How to reliably infer complex behaviour in the deep past. In this project we do this by using process modelling to understand glue technology. We are looking for a dependable and creative team player to help translate the dynamic past to static modern models.
As a project postdoc you will develop a new archaeological method by using process modelling for archaeological applications. You will use experimental, ethnographic and archaeological data to create formal models, such as Petri nets or BPMN models. You will analyse the models with tooling like Coloured Petri Net Tools (CPN Tools). You are expected to independently set-up and execute the modelling component, but you will work closely with other team members and use their data. As part of this position, you will be affiliated both with TU Delft (Department of Materials Science Engineering) and Leiden University (Leiden Institute for Advanced Science), playing an integrating role between archaeologists and computer scientists.
Other tasks include:
- Collect data on glue manufacturing and usage through observations during experimentation and ethnographic fieldwork in Zambia and Ethiopia (3-6 weeks).
- Produce teaching materials (poster; hand-out) as part of the benefit sharing initiative in Zambia and Ethiopia.
- Assist to create a project web presence, co-organise workshop in year 4.
- (Co) author scientific articles and proposals to secure funding for future work on the topic.
Requirements
Required qualifications and qualities:
- A PhD in:
- Computational science, or
- Digital archaeology, or
- A relevant adjacent field with a significant computational aspect, such as computational social science, physics, (mathematical) sociology, statistics.
- Proven expertise in modelling.
- Demonstrable experience/affinity in one of these fields:
- Archaeology, Palaeolithic archaeology is a plus.
- Anthropology, anthropological fieldwork is a plus.
- Social sciences, fieldwork/observational experience is a plus.
- Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken), ability to communicate both in the computer sciences and humanities.
Personal development
This research position offers you the possibility to work on the cutting edge of computer science and archaeology. You will create a completely new archaeological method, for which you are the only specialist. You are encouraged to develop your own (current) expertise further within the Ancient Adhesives’ project. In collaboration with the project partners you will receive training for the anthropological fieldwork. During your contract there are possibilities to develop your transferable, discipline-related and research skills through courses etc. You are expected to guest lecture in existing BA and MSc courses and supervise relevant graduate projects.
Conditions of employment
This position has an amount of max 34 working hours per week (0.8 - 0.9 fte). The salary is based on scale 10 with a maximum of € 4274, - gross per month on a fulltime basis.
TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers childcare and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
Information and application
For more information about this position, please contact Dr Geeske Langejans, project investigator, e-mail: g.h.j.langejans@tudelft.nl.
Applications should include a letter of motivation, a detailed CV, contact details of three referees, three examples of written work (e.g. thesis, published papers), and half an A4 paper with your ideas on this project and how you would bridge archaeology and computer science.
All required documents should be combined to a single pdf file (5MB max), and submitted to application-3mE@tudelft.nl. Deadline 7 April 2019. Interviews are expected to take place 1 May 2019, preceded or followed with skype interviews. Start date job negotiable from 1 June 2019.
For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://vacature.beta.tudelft.nl/vacaturesite/permalink/52650/?lang=en