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Call for applications

PostDoc in Bayesian Chronological Modelling (fulltime until 31 Dec 2023)

As part of its role in the DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centre ‘Scales of Transformation: Human-Environmental Interaction in Prehistoric and Archaic Societies’ (CRC1266), the Centre for Baltic and Scandinavian Archaeology (ZBSA) seeks to appoint a postdoctoral research associate (PDRA) specialising in Bayesian chronological modelling of archaeological sequences, within sub-project G1 ‘Timescales of Change’ (PI Dr John Meadows).

The project
G1 aims to apply international best-practice methods of Bayesian chronological modelling, to identify chronological problems and develop and test methods to address them, usually in the context of new fieldwork by CRC case-study sub-projects on later prehistoric sites in northern, central and south-eastern Europe. Often we are concerned with radiocarbon (14C) sample selection and measurement, and eliciting relevant prior information for use in Bayesian chronological models of site-based sequences. Some case studies require us to validate or reject legacy 14C data, so a sound understanding of laboratory methods is essential. Other applications may deal with aggregated 14C data sets that are regarded proxies for archaeological phenomena, such as temporal trends in the number of sites occupied.

The position
Funding is available for 8 months (May-Dec 2023) fulltime employment at TVL-E13. The PDRA will share an office either on the campus of the Christian-Albrechts University, Kiel, or at the ZBSA, a non-university research institute within the Stiftung Schleswig-Holsteinische Landesmuseen Schloss Gottorf, Schleswig. There will be regular meetings in Kiel throughout the project and at least one 2-day workshop elsewhere in Schleswig-Holstein, and possibly short field trips within Europe. The PDRA may be expected to contribute to or lead internal seminars of the CRC and ZBSA.

The PDRA will work with the PI of G1 and collaborators within CRC1266. With a modest budget for 14C dating, the PDRA will aim to validate or replace particularly influential legacy 14C dates, and to replicate some new 14C dates for quality control. The PDRA will use and develop a database for new 14C dates, and may also supervise the work of student research assistants.

The PDRA should aim to be the lead author of papers in peer-reviewed journals to disseminate the results of joint research in CRC1266. Support for publication costs (open access fees) is usually available through the CRC, DFG, the university and/or the state of Schleswig-Holstein.

The applicant
Applicants should be legally entitled to work in the European Union. The Stiftung Schleswig-Holsteinische Landesmuseen Schloss Gottorf is committed to actively promote equal opportunities of all members of staff. We therefore encourage applications from all qualified persons irrespective of their cultural or social origin, age, gender, religion, philosophy of life, disabilities or sexual preferences. Persons with registered disabilities will, with appropriate qualifications, competence, and expertise, be employed preferentially.

The following criteria will be used to rank eligible applicants: