Career Opportunities

Permanent position for a research engineer at the CNRS (Centre National de le Recherche Scientifique), Archéosiences Bordeaux, France

The archaeometry research engineer (M/F) will define and lead the strategy for implementing dating techniques using palaeodosimetric methods. He/she will develop methodological research operations in conjunction with team members. The Archéosciences Bordeaux research laboratory in Pessac, which has 30 permanent staff and around the same number on fixed-term contracts, has been working for over 50 years on dating by luminescence and from 2023 on electron spin resonance, with numerous applications ranging from prehistoric sites to medieval buildings.

Responsibilities

• Manage all the equipment in the luminescence dating laboratory (maintenance, discussions with manufacturers, advice to users).
• Developing methodological research to propose new measurement and data analysis functionalities, in collaboration with the laboratory's researchers.
• Develop applied research by supervising or carrying out dating projects in collaboration with researchers from the laboratory and the local, national or international archaeological community.
• Monitor technological developments and propose innovations to the laboratory's specialists.
• Managing external dating requests (carrying out dating and writing analysis reports).
• Ensuring compliance with safety standards relating to the mechanical and chemical preparation of samples and the use of luminescence instruments.
• Participating in the practical and theoretical training of trainees, visiting researchers and PhD students.
• Define the strategy and procedures for taking samples from archaeological sites and manage field equipment dedicated to chronological research.
• Disseminate and promote its results in the form of publications and through active participation in conferences, etc.
• The recruited person may be assigned the role of PCR (person competent in radiation protection).

Skills

• The candidate must have at least a Master or an engineer degree or equivalent.
• In-depth practical and theoretical knowledge of dating using palaeodosimetric methods (luminescence, ESR).
• In-depth knowledge of the physical processes underlying the phenomena of luminescence and ESR, ionising radiation dosimetry, and knowledge of techniques for characterizing inorganic materials.
• Knowledge of archaeology and fieldwork.
• English language: level B2 to C1 (according to the European reference framework).
• Develop measurement and/or analysis protocols.
• Maintain equipment and, if necessary, carry out simple repairs and/or repairs guided by the manufacturers.
• Master the use of luminescence readers and associated software.

Personal Skills

• Rigour, autonomy.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with one or more research teams.
• Prioritizing projects and requests.
• Ability to think ahead (anticipation).

Employment Conditions

• From ca. 1900 euros net salary for inexperienced engineer.
• Full time (38h30/week).
• 32 days +13 days holiday.
• Permanent position after one year as a trainee.

Conditions of Recruitment

• Detailed information at https://www.cnrs.fr/fr/concours-it
• Reference: concours N° 57.
• Deadline for application: 5th July 2023 at https://concoursexternesit.cnrs.fr/public/campagne-2023
• Auditions: between 28th of August and 8th of November 2023.
• Candidates whose applications will have been pre-selected will be invited to an audition before a panel of engineers and a representative of the laboratory (10 minutes of oral presentation, 20 minutes of discussion with the jury).
• Start if laureate: 1srt December 2023.
• French speaking skills are not compulsory.

Additional Questions

• christelle.lahaye@u-bordeaux-montaigne.fr
• ctribolo@u-bordeaux-montaigne.fr
• norbert.mercier@u-bordeaux-montaigne.fr

5-years Post-doctoral Research Fellow on OSL dating

The University of Wollongong (UOW) is seeking to appoint a Post-doctoral Research Fellow with expertise in optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating. The role contributes to an Australia Research Council (ARC) Laureate Fellowship and requires outstanding expertise in OSL dating with specific emphasis on its use as a tool for dating of sediments from archaeological sites in Western Australia. In this role you will work with the OSL group at UOW and archaeologists from the University of Western Australia. You will lead the optical dating program and chronological modelling for understanding of past populations across three different bioregions whilst undertaking independent research and working closely with all team members on the ARC project.

This is a 5-year position pending satisfactory performance after 2 years. For details please refer to the following link:

5-years Post-doctoral Research Fellow on OSL dating

To apply for this role please prepare a cover letter addressing your suitability for the position based on the selection criteria contained in the position description and submit with a current CV. For further information about this position, please contact Professor Bo Li, Director of the Optical Dating Facility at + 61 2 4221 3817 or via e-mail.

3-Year Postdoc position: OSL dating of Antarctic sediment samples

The OSL/TL dating laboratory at East Carolina University (Greenville, North Carolina, USA) seeks a postdoctoral researcher to join the group of Dr. Regina DeWitt.

The postdoctoral researcher will be an integral part of part of the NSF funded project “Holocene and late Pleistocene stream deposition in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica as a proxy for glacial meltwater and paleoclimate.” Field work in the Antarctic Dry Valleys is planned for 6 weeks starting in December 2023 and 2 weeks in October 2024; the second season is pending approval. Responsibilities include management of all aspects of this research project, including the field trips.

The McMurdo Dry Valleys are the largest ice-free region in Antarctica and home to a seasonally active stream system. Streams are fed by summer meltwater from local glaciers and snowbanks, and are therefore closely tied to summer climate conditions, such as air temperatures, ground temperatures, winds, and incoming solar radiation. Deposits from these streams can answer questions about past climate in these regions. Goal of this project is to acquire a record of stream activity for the Holocene and late Pleistocene spanning the three largest of the McMurdo Dry Valleys. The project includes field work in the Antarctic Dry Valleys and dating of fluvial sands and cobbles via optically stimulated luminescence. The physics department at ECU hosts a state-of-the-art luminescence dating laboratory comprising among others a dedicated rock and sediment preparation facility, a high precision Ge detector gamma spectrometer, and a Risø TL-DA-20 reader.

This is a 3-year position pending satisfactory performance after 1 year. 1-2 years direct experience with luminescence dating, field work, OSL sample collection, sample preparation and measurement are preferred.

Official posting: https://ecu.peopleadmin.com/postings/60760

To apply, please upload a cover letter, CV, and the names of three references via the link above. The cover letter should describe the candidate's qualifications for the position. Potential applicants are welcome to contact Regina DeWitt prior to applying to learn more about the project and the lab. Applications will be reviewed beginning April 14, 2023. Anticipated start date is June 1, 2023.