Job description
Offer description
In the GeoTrac team of the theme “Archives and tracers”, the position is part of the ERC-StG AGROCHRONO project which studies the development of agropastoralism in the Indo-Iranian border regions. The objectives of the project are to obtain and specify the chronological, cultural, economic and environmental framework in which the first agropastoral populations of the region evolved from the 7th millennium BC.
The successful candidate will work on geochemical analyses of organic matter from archaeological and environmental matrices with molecular and isotopic approaches whose aim is to contribute to the reconstruction of ancient diets, management of plants and domestic animals and the paleoenvironmental framework in which populations evolved.
The candidate will work closely with the members of the AGROCHRONO project team who are experts in archaeology, archaeobotany, archaeozoology and palynology of the region and experts in organic geochemistry. He will also have the opportunity to participate in the field work to collect and select the samples to be analyzed. The LSCE GeoTrAc team has an organic geochemistry laboratory equipped with all the necessary instruments to carry out the isotopic and molecular analyses of the project.
On a daily basis, the successful candidate will be in charge of:
- Managing the database of samples analyzed during the project with their monitoring from the field to the laboratory and conditioning.
- Carrying out molecular (lipid) and isotopic analyses of the organic matter contained in archaeological materials and environmental matrices of various natures such as archaeological ceramics, plant remains, bone remains or sediment cores. This includes the chemical preparation and analyses of samples by gas chromatography (GC), mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). The successful candidate will be supported in this task by a technician or assistant engineer who will join the project at the middle of the first year.
- Study the preservation of lipids in stone vessels and develop methods for their routine analyses.
- Establish a local modern reference on lipid profiles and stable isotope values of carbon and hydrogen in plant and animal products potentially exploited by ancient societies.
- Data processing and interpretation.
- Dissemination of research results through oral presentations at international conferences and publications in international peer-reviewed journals.
To apply, send your CV and covering letter before 09/30/24 to Emmanuelle CASANOVA
Applicant Profile
Education/Expertise
- The successful candidate should have obtained or nearly completing a PhD in geochemistry, analytical chemistry, environmental or archaeological sciences or any other related field.
- Expertise in organic matter analysis, particularly in molecular and isotopic analyses.
- Rigor and autonomy to work in a chemistry laboratory and manage large data sets.
- Proficiency in scientific English for publication in international peer-reviewed journals and presentation at international conferences.
It is recommended but not necessary to have
- Expertise in biomolecular archaeology or paleoclimatology (strongly recommended)
- Expertise in the use and maintenance of chromatography, mass spectrometry and isotope ratio mass spectrometry instruments
- An interest in working with ancient and unique archaeological and environmental samples will be appreciated.
Soft skills
- Teamwork, communication, respect
- Rigor and autonomy