PhD in Science
This job offer has expired
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ORGANISATION/COMPANYUniversity of Avignon
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RESEARCH FIELDChemistry › Analytical chemistryChemistry › Physical chemistryPhysics
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RESEARCHER PROFILEFirst Stage Researcher (R1)
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APPLICATION DEADLINE15/06/2018 12:00 - Europe/London
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LOCATIONFrance › Avignon
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JOB STATUSFull-time
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HOURS PER WEEK35
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OFFER STARTING DATE01/10/2018
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EU RESEARCH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMMEH2020 / Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
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REFERENCE NUMBERH2020-MSCA-ITN-2017
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MARIE CURIE GRANT AGREEMENT NUMBER766311
Advanced Chemical analysis of organic materials from animal mummies in Ancient Egypt
Objectives: This project proposes to understand the Egyptian society in its cultural and sociological workings through the study of organized worship around humans, sacred and sacralised animals. The aim of this project is to evaluate the composition of the balms used for the treatment of the body and their manufacturing process/preparation.
Work Plan: After the preliminary bibliographical work, the ESR will process to the selection of the samples and the sampling in museum or in other institutions. After a preliminary study by optical microscopy, the samples will be analyzed by FT-IR in order (i) to obtain characterized fingerprint, (ii) determine the organic and/or mineral composition and (iii) to elaborate groups for samples using ACP tool.
Then, the student will optimize the selective extraction of each organic family of constituents by using SPE for example. Finally, the optimization of GC conditions will permit to clearly identify each chemical markers from The different classes of compounds present in balms. Mass
spectrometry and MSn are powerful analytical tools to identify chemical biomarkers and/or markers of alteration.
Expected Results: The Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) are two complementary methods of choice for the study of archaeological organic materials. These analytical techniques will be used to analyze a great number of samples corresponding to balms of human and animal mummies from museum collections or from other institutions. The expected results will permit to more understand these burial practices and to have a better knowledge of the type of materials usually used during mummification processes.
Benefits
Salary and other benefits for the ESR are according to EU-standards for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and national regulations including a living allowance, a mobility allowance and a family allowance when applicable.
Each ESR will also have a Research and Training allowance which will be managed through the University Host. This will cover the participation of researchers in training activities;
- expenses related to research costs;
- tuition fees (where applicable).
- Visa, residency card for the recruited researcher and their family (where applicable)
A mobility allowance is also available. This will contribute to mobility related expenses of the ESR.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience measured from the date when the researcher obtained the degree entitling her/him to embark on a doctorate) of their research career and have not been awarded a doctoral degree. Also the candidate may not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their recruiting organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the start of the project. Short stays such as holidays and/or compulsory national services are not taken into account.
To be considered for admission, applicants must hold at the time of the enrolment a Bachelor Degree and a Master Degree (MSc, MS, MRes) with a minimal combined total of 240 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), in one of the following areas: science (chemistry, physics, biology) applied to archaeology.
Selection process
The ED-ARCHMAT website (http://www.ed-archmat-ejd.eu/) will allow candidates to apply for up to a maximum of three positions. Applicants may also have to apply via the respective University’s website.
After preliminary screening for eligibility criteria, if selected for the short list for an ESR position the candidate should be available for interview during the first week of June 2018 at a location in Europe to be decided or for interview by Skype or equivalent. Following interviews, the first 11 candidates will be invited for enrolment and a reserve list of candidates will be held until each position is filled. Successful candidates will have one week from the communication to accept or decline. Following interview successful candidates, including those in the reserve list, will be notified by e-mail. Once ESRs have been appointed and enrolled, the results of the selection will be published at (http://www.ed-archmat-ejd.eu/).
Successful candidates will be enrolled for their PhD study in the University of the primary and secondary supervisors, linked to a specific ESR project, and in accordance with the procedures stipulated in the individual University webpages.
Additional comments
Web site for additional job details
Required Research Experiences
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RESEARCH FIELDChemistry › Analytical chemistry
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YEARS OF RESEARCH EXPERIENCE1 - 4
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RESEARCH FIELDChemistry › Physical chemistry
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YEARS OF RESEARCH EXPERIENCE1 - 4
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RESEARCH FIELDPhysics
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YEARS OF RESEARCH EXPERIENCE1 - 4
Offer Requirements
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REQUIRED EDUCATION LEVELChemistry: Master Degree or equivalentPhysics: Master Degree or equivalent
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REQUIRED LANGUAGESENGLISH: GoodFRENCH: Basic
Skills/Qualifications
The candidate must :
- hold a M.Sc degree and/or an equivalent 5-years diploma,
- be fluent in oral and written English (level B2),
- have a very good knowledge in chemistry and more particular in analytical chemistry, physical chemistry and physics.
Specific Requirements
The candidate already having experience in archaeometry and having an interest in cultural heritage science and organic chemistry are welcome.
Required Documents:
- A brief letter (max 2 pages) of motivation stating how the candidate background and qualifications match the project(s) being applied for
- A statement indicating that the candidate complies with the eligibility criteria for MSCA-ITN admission
- A curriculum vitae
- A certificate of English proficiency (at the time of enrolment), may be required for those applicants whose first language is not English by certain Universities
- The official transcripts and marks achieved during both Bachelor and Master phases of previous degrees.
- Two reference letters together with detailed contact information of the recommending persons.
- Specific additional criteria if required by individual projects (please see the individual ESR project webpages).
Applicants are required to combine the appropriate documents into a single PDF file and submit this by the application form at (http://www.ed-archmat-ejd.eu/)
EURAXESS offer ID: 306464
Further information and applications at (http://www.ed-archmat-ejd.eu/)
ESR10: Advanced Chemical analysis of organic amterials from animal mummies in Ancient Egypt
Primary Host: University of Avignon (UAPV), France
Primary Supervisor: Dr Carole Mathe (UAPV)
Secondary Host: Ben Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), Israel
Secondary Supervisor: Prof. Peter Fabian (BGU)
Duration: 36 months
Supervisors CV
- Carole Mathe : associated professor since 2014 in the team « Engineering of Restoration of Natural and Cultural Heritage » at the university of Avignon (France). She is the responsable of the department of chemistry and she involves in research and pedagogic activities in archaometry fields. She is specialized in the analytical chemistry applied to natural substances employed in Archaeology (polymers, terpenes, dyes) by chromatographic techniques (LC coupled with a double detection - UV/VIS-fluorimetry-, GC/SM) and spectroscopies (UV/Visible, Fluorimetry and FT-IR). She develops analytical methods which contribute to the identification of the corresponding materials and comprehension of the ageing phenomena which lead to their degradation. Examples of cases of study: human and animal mummies from Ancient Egypt; Aztec and Maya objects; Roman Amphorae; Ancient dyed textiles... etc
-Cathy Vieillescazes: Professor, manager of the team “Engineering of Restoration of Natural and Cultural Heritage“. She is deeply involved in research and pedagogic activities in the area of chemistry applied to art and archaeology. She actively participates in European curricula in conservation science and collaborates to European and international projects in a pluridisciplinary approach. She published several scientific articles in international and national journals.