In the framework of C- LIMES, which will officially start June 1st 2021, 11 research positions are available. One of the five vacancies at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, is a PhD position at the Faculty of Science:

PhD position 1 – Mobility patterns and associated dietary changes in the Roman limes borderscape in the Netherlands, Belgium, northern France, and western Germany.
You will determine the Sr-O-C-N isotope composition of inhumed and cremated human individuals to quantify the role of mobility in the limes borderscape and to determine major changes in social and cultural networks. Working closely within the C-LIMES team, you will contribute to establishing the direct impact the limes had on the social and political composition of human populations and obtain insight into the changing exploitation of the environmental resources.   

• Preferably you have a MA/MSc degree with a strong background in (Roman) archaeology. Practical laboratory experience, ideally in clean laboratories and with mass spectrometric techniques (TIMS/MC-ICP-MS), will be an advantage. Furthermore, you must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, the ability to speak and understand written Dutch would be highly advantageous. We expect a keenness to actively reach out to national and international partners, such as archaeological excavation companies, depots, the Cultural Heritage Agency and the Geogenetics Laboratory in Copenhagen (Denmark), for sample collection and data contextualisation. Moreover, we expect active participation in the public dissemination of scientific results.

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel and amounts €2.395 per month during the first year and increases to €3.061 per month during the fourth year, based on a full-time employment. The job profile: is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for at least 1 FTE.

The appointment will initially be for 1 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the contract will be extended for a duration of 4 years.
Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:
•    a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment, 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus, solid pension scheme (ABP), optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

 

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor – from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 26,000 students. We employ over 4,600 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

The Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science inspires researchers and students to find sustainable solutions for complex societal issues. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to medicines and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research programmes cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. We share knowledge and experience with leading research institutes and industries, both here in the Netherlands and abroad.

Working at the Faculty of Science means working with students, PhD candidates and researchers, all with a clear focus on their field and a broad view of the world. We employ more than 1,250 staff members, and we are home to around 6,000 students.
 


About the department
The Department of Earth Sciences studies the Earth with emphasis on the interactions between the geo-, hydro-, bio-, cryo-, and atmosphere. Our main goal is to improve our understanding of the processes (including anthropogenic) that ultimately shape our planet and affect our daily lives. We offer high-class teaching and carry out our ambitious and innovative research in a dynamic academic environment, supported by excellent research facilities.