Skip to main content
EURAXESS

ERC-Funded PhD position on Past and Future Millet Foodways (MILWAYS) project

20 Jun 2023

Job Information

Organisation/Company
Vilnius University
Department
Department of Geology and Mineralogy, Institute of Geosciences, Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences
Research Field
Chemistry » Organic chemistry
Geosciences » Geology
History » Archaeology
Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country
Lithuania
Application Deadline
Type of Contract
Temporary
Job Status
Full-time
Offer Starting Date
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
HE / ERC
Reference Number
101087964
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No

Offer Description

Palaeoclimate analysis via stable isotope and miliacin biomarker

We invite applications for a funded, full-time PhD position of 42 months duration under the ERC Consolidator Grant (101087964) project led by Prof. Giedre Motuzaite Matuzeviciute Keen titled PAST AND FUTURE MILLET FOODWAYS (MILWAYS) The successful candidate will be based at the Department of Geology and Mineralogy of the Institute of Geosciences, Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences at Vilnius University (Lithuania) working in close collaboration with the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of History at Vilnius University, and the Laboratory of Climate and Environmental Sciences (LSCE) - UMR 8212 (CNRS/CEA/UVSQ), France. The project will be coordinated by Vilnius University, with work distributed across several countries in northern, central and southern Europe. The successful candidate will be co-supervised by the project PI and by the Prof. Andrej Spiridonov at the Department of Geology and Mineralogy, Institute of Geosciences, Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences and advised by Dr Jérémy Jacob.

 

Further details about the PhD topic area

The successful applicant will undertake research related to Work Package 3 of the MILWAYS project. This WP will generate high-resolution paleoclimate data at the site level in order to understand whether variation in past millet exploitation across time and space were linked with changes in climate. Working in close collaboration with other project members, the PhD student will study the climatic conditions covering when millet was most widespread through to when it was later abandoned. At the heart of this proposal is the recognition that the lipid miliacin is accumulated in sediments of catchment areas situated next to millet palaeofields. By locating the catchment sites of palaeolakes or peatbogs that are situated next to archaeological sites where millet cultivation was identified through archaeobotany, the coring for environmental samples will be conducted. Firstly, miliacin biomarker horizons within those cores will be identified and later those cores containing miliacin biomarker will be subject to further measurement of δ2H. Combined pollen (not performed by PhD candidate) and δ2H analysis will directly inform on past climates, precipitation and temperature regimes before, during and after millet cultivation. The PhD student will contribute towards developing a new methodology for δ2H isotope analysis in long chain n-alkanes from lacustrine sediment cores containing the miliacin biomarker, and help to directly link climate variation in rainfall and temperature with the introduction of millet.

Requirements

Research Field
Chemistry » Organic chemistry
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field
Geosciences » Geology
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field
History » Archaeology
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications

The successful candidate will be expected to:

  • Be able to learn new skills in environmental sample preparation in the laboratory for miliacin biomarker and subsequent isotopic analysis;
  • Learn state-of-the-art of the research methods to be applied during the PhD;
  • Apply, when necessary, additional analytical techniques;
  • Successfully complete a paper-based PhD thesis by the end of a 3,5-year duration, with 4 WoS published papers (2 of which the PhD candidate is a first author) see more: Regulations_of_Doctoral_Studies_EN_2020-10-06.pdf
  • Attend 30 credits of courses and pass the required exams, as defined in the regulations of doctoral studies of Vilnius University   (https://www.vu.lt/site_files/DRS/Doctoral_Studies/Regulations_of_Doctoral_Studies_EN_2020-10-06.pdf);
  • Partake in the seminars and conferences organised around the ERC project;
  • During their PhD candidates will also be encouraged to participate in other relevant events at Vilnius University and conferences worldwide.
Specific Requirements

Candidates must have:

  1. A Master’s degree in Geoarchaeology, Geology, Chemistry, or Earth Sciences.
  2. Excellent oral and written English and the skills in writing scientific publications.
Languages
ENGLISH
Level
Excellent

Additional Information

Benefits

The PhD bursary is regulated by Lithuanian Government, which is 931-1078 EUR per month (passed tax). In addition, the PhD student will also simultaneously be employed as a junior researcher on the project in a part time capacity. The total monthly income of the PhD student together with a PhD scholarship will be approximately €1700 per month after taxes. The candidate is required to spend at least 9 months at Vilnius University, Lithuania, during the course of the PhD.

The successful candidate will also have access to funding to participate in conferences in the 2nd and 3rd years of the PhD.

Good command of English is mandatory. Knowledge of the Lithuanian language is not a requirement. The successful candidate will have a working space at Vilnius University, in a shared office with other members of the group.

Selection process

 Applicants must submit:

  1. An academic curriculum vitae
  2. A statement of interest
  3. PhD proposal
  4. A transcript of the grades obtained in the MA degree
  5. The names and addresses of two academic referees
  6. All applications must be submitted by email (apply.phd@cr.vu.lt CC giedre.keen@if.vu.lt)

Application deadline: 17.00 (Brussels time), September 15, 2023.

  1. Shortlisted candidates will be notified no later than 7 days after the deadline and asked to have an online interview. This would be held during the second half of the September 2023.
  2. Candidates will be notified of the result of the selection process 1 week at the latest after the interviews.
Additional comments

For academic questions about the project and the position, please contact Giedre Motuzaite Matuzeviciute Keen (giedre.keen@if.vu.lt; giedre.motuzaite@gmail.com).

For practical information about the position and the application process, please contact Simona Akamauskaitė or Virginija Uksienė (simona.akamauskaite@cr.vu.lt; virginija.uksiene@cr.vu.lt).

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
Vilnius University
Country
Lithuania
State/Province
Vilnius City
City
Vilnius
Postal Code
LT- 03101
Street
Čiurlionio 21

Where to apply

E-mail
giedre.keen@if.vu.lt

Contact

City
Vilnius
E-Mail
giedre.keen@if.vu.lt
giedre.motuzaite@gmail.com