Two Ph.D. Candidates (f/m/d) in Zooarchaeology / Isotope Analysis and Zooarchaeology / Osseous [...]

The Senckenberg Society for Nature Research (Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, SGN) was founded in 1817 and is one of the most important research institutions around biological diversity. At its 13 sites throughout Germany, scientists from over 40 nations conduct cutting-edge research on an international scale. At the site in Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Paleoenvironment (SHEP) is located in a lively university town with historical flair and numerous local recreational opportunities.

The Senckenberg Society for Nature Research, headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, is seeking to recruit for the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment (SHEP) in Tübingen:

Two Ph.D. Candidates (f/m/d) in

and

(part-time, 65%)

Both positions are part of the German Research Foundation (DFG) funded project „From Ornaments to Ecosystems: Exploring Hominin-Mammoth Interactions in the Late Pleistocene of the Swabian Jura (Southern Germany)”. The goal of this project is to analyse changes in hominin-mammoth interactions in the late Middle Palaeolithic through Gravettian (ca. 60,000 to 30,000 cal BP) of the Swabian Jura, within the context of sites in the Meuse-Rhine-Danube Corridor.

To do so, we will apply a multidisciplinary approach to test potential ecological and social/cultural feedback loops in the relationship between the two species. The core of our study will involve building a database of mammoth remains, zooarchaeological case studies, isotope analyses, and technological studies of artifacts made on mammoth bone and ivory.

We seek two enthusiastic Ph.D. candidates, one of whom will focus on ecological reconstructions of mammoth niches through carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and strontium isotopes, the other will analyse byproducts of osseous tool manufacture as well as formal tools and ornaments, in order to reconstruct the chaîne-opératoire of artifact production. Both candidates will be involved in database building, the taphonomic analysis of mammoth remains, and sample selection for isotope analyses, radiocarbon dating, and ZooMS.

Responsibilities

• Zooarchaeological analysis of mammoth remains
• Screening samples for isotope and radiocarbon analyses
• Conducting lab work and interpreting isotope results
• Participation in EVEREST graduate research school
• Project synthesis (with PIs and other team members)
• Manuscript writing
• Analysis of the chaîne-opératoire of mammoth bone and ivory artifact production, including manufacture and use wear

Candidate Profile for Zooarchaeology / Isotope Analysis

• Master’s degree in prehistoric archaeology or anthropology with experience in zooarchaeology, -or-
• Master’s degree in geochemistry with experience in stable isotope analyses
• Experience working with large mammal bones, isotopes, basic databases
• Proficiency in English

Candidate Profile for Zooarchaeology / Osseous Artifact Analysis

• Master’s degree in prehistoric archaeology or anthropology with experience in zooarchaeology, -or-
• Master’s degree in prehistoric archaeology or anthropology with experience in osseous artifact analysis
• Experience working with large mammal bones, osseous artifacts, basic databases
• Proficiency in English
• Written and spoken German

We offer

• an attractive and diverse job in a globally recognized research institution
• independent work in small project teams with flat organizational structures and a high degree of personal responsibility
• flexible working hours – mobile working – support with childcare or caring for family members (certified by the „audit berufundfamilie“) – a company ID card in combination with free admission to the Senckenberg museums – a collectively agreed annual special payment – collectively agreed vacation entitlement – company pension scheme

Scope of employment: Part-time, 65% (ca. 26 weekly working hours)

Type of contract: Start of contract will be June 1 st , 2025 running for 36 months until May 31 st , 2028.

Remuneration: According to the collective agreement TV-L, E 13

Senckenberg is committed to diversity. We benefit from the different expertise, perspectives and personalities of our staff and welcome every application from qualified candidates, irrespective of age, gender, ethnic or cultural origin, religion and ideology, sexual orientation and identity or disability. Applicants with a severe disability (“Schwerbehinderung”) will be given special consideration in case of equal suitability. Senckenberg actively supports the compatibility of work and family and places great emphasis on an equal and inclusive work culture.

If you would like to apply, please send us your application documents, including:

• Letter of motivation and indication of the position for which you are applying,
• Detailed CV,
• Brief description of your Master’s project,
• Two academic references,
• Academic certification (copies of your degrees and transcripts)

For questions regarding the specific roles please contact the project PIs

Further information about Senckenberg Society for Nature Research, please visit our website www.senckenberg.de.