Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology, Polish Academy of Sciences (IAE PAS)

invites applications for a post-doctoral researcher position in isotope analysis

within the NCN SONATA BIS-14 grant:

“Mobility Patterns and Social Hierarchies. A Bioarchaeological and Chronological Study of the Late Bronze Age and Hallstatt cemetery in Domasław (PL)”

Principal Investigator: Dr. Anna Józefowska-Domańska

Link to the project page: https://projekty.ncn.gov.pl/index.php?projekt_id=626577
Position: post-doc (Polish: adiunkt), full-time research position
Contract duration: 24 months with the possibility of extension for another 24 months.
Preferred starting date: autumn 2025

Job description and key duties:

The successful candidate will:

• Collect cremated human remains from archaeological collections for strontium isotope ratio (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) analysis aimed at studying mobility patterns,
• Collect environmental samples (i.e. modern plants) in Poland to characterize the local bioavailable strontium signature and develop a regional isotopic baseline,
• Conduct chemical pretreatments of samples for subsequent isotope analyses at the Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, under the supervision of Dr. Kevin Salesse.
• Cross-analyze mobility proxies with archaeological and anthropological data to identify patterns related to geographic origins, social status, and funerary practices. Collaborate on creating regional strontium isoscapes and visualising results using GIS tools,
• Contribute to developing research protocols and expanding isotope data resources (i.e. IsoArcH database),
• Lead and co-author publications in top-tier international journals and present results at conferences.

Qualifications:

• PhD degree in chemistry, bioarchaeology, geochemistry, archaeology, or related fields, obtained within the last 7 years (according to NCN post-doc regulations; this period can be extended by 18 months per child for women); Candidates nearing their PhD defense are welcome to apply but must hold the degree before starting employment,
• Proven experience with isotope-based provenance and dietary reconstruction analyses, supported by publications,
• Interest in research topics related to past mobility, diet, and funerary practices,
• Motivation to conduct research within this field,
• Strong team spirit and ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment,
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (B2 level or above),
• Willingness to travel for research stays at partner institutions (Isotope Lab, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia; Brussels Bioarchaeology Lab, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium).

We offer:

• Full-time employment contract at IAE PAS, Wrocław branch,
• Monthly salary of approx. PLN 11,670 gross (~PLN 8,990 net with copyright costs deduction),
• Opportunity to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary international research team with access to state-of-the-art isotope facilities,
• Fully equipped workspace, including a laptop, monitor, and necessary accessories,
• Funding for research visits, conferences, and specialist training.

Application documents:

1. Curriculum vitae (max. 5 pages, in English),
2. Motivation letter (max. 3 pages, in English), explaining the candidate's interest in and experience relevant to the research activities described above,
3. Copy of the PhD diploma or (if the degree has not yet been formally awarded) confirmation of the planned PhD defense date, with the note that employment is contingent upon obtaining the degree before starting the position,
4. Contact information for two potential referees familiar with the candidate’s academic background, along with a brief description of the nature of their relationship with the candidate.

Application deadline:

Please send your application by 15 August 2025 to: a.jozefowska@iaepan.edu.pl

The selection committee reserves the right to conduct interviews with selected candidates.

Expected recruitment decision: by the end of September 2025.

Please include the following clause in your CV:

I give consent for my personal data included in the recruitment form to be processed by Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology PAS with its registered seat in Warsaw at al. Solidarności 105 (data controller) for the purposes of recruitment for Postdoctoral Researcher position pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC in compliance with a legal obligation to which the data controller is subject to (Art. 6 section 1 letter a) and the Act on personal data protection of 10 May 2018 (Journal of Laws of 2018, item 1000).