The Faculty of Humanities of the University of Oulu, Finland, announces a
three-year Postdoctoral Researcher Position in bioarcheological research
community to start at the beginning of May, 2015.
Description
Bioarchaeological research community (BARC) at University of Oulu,
Finland, is looking for a talented and research-oriented postdoctoral
researcher. This position is for three years. The postdoctoral researcher
is expected to make a contribution to multidisciplinary research of this
research community by bringing in expertise in at least one of its areas
of research.
This research community was rated as ��outstanding�� (6/6) in the most
recent research assessment exercise at the University of Oulu in the
category ��research on the threshold of international breakthrough��
in 2013. It examines the effects of environmental and cultural changes
on both humans and animals in northern Europe focusing on Finland
and neighboring regions. The effects of neolithization, modernization
and urbanization are under particularly close scrutiny. The main study
materials include archaeological materials (biological and non-biological
materials), museum collections and clinical samples. A broad range of
methods and techniques are thus utilized from those used in archaeological
and historical research to those used in bone imaging and biomolecular
research. Due to this multidisciplinary research, this research community
includes four research teams divided between three faculties. The four
research teams are as follows:
The Post-Pleistocene Evolution of Human Skeleton (Docent Markku Niskanen,
Archaeology, Faculty of Humanities) utilizes osteometric and bone
imaging techniques to examine temporal and geographic variation in
human body size, body shape and skeletal robusticity and how these
are related to environmental and cultural changes. Bioarchaeology
of human-animal interactions: biomolecular and osteoarchaeological
analyses of human and animal bones (Prof. Jouni Aspi, Biology, Faculty
of Science) explores human-animal relationships (e.g. domestication)
through ancient DNA (aDNA), stable isotope and osteological analyses.
Material culture and the modernization of the north (Dr. Timo Ylimaunu,
Archaeology, Faculty of Humanities) examines the development of society
from the medieval period to the present. The focus is on examining the
dynamics of modernization, globalization and consumption processes and
human-environmental relationship in Northern Fennoscandia as a part of
the globalizing world. Human Biology and Comparative Anatomy (Prof. Juha
Tuukkanen, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine) concentrates
on functional relationship in morphology between temporally distinct
populations. The main research focus is temporal trends in overall
skeletal morphology, bone microstructure and biomechanical properties.
The postdoctoral researcher is expected to carry out research and
participate in publishing research results in peer-reviewed journals. Some
teaching and/or administrative duties may be included, but would take 10%
of the working hours at the maximum. It is our hope that this position
would help the postdoctoral researcher to develop his/her own scientific
networks through research collaboration, and that this position would
be a step towards a position as a more senior and independent researcher
able to develop his/her own projects.
This position is officially based at the Faculty of Humanities,
University of Oulu, Finland. In practice, the postdoctoral researcher
will work in facilities, which best suit his/her actual work for this
research community.
Qualifications
The candidate��s research should interface with research conducted in
one or more of the four research teams. He/she must have earned his/her
doctorate no more than seven years before the application deadline. This
doctoral degree should be in archaeology (including historical
archaeology, osteoarchaeology, biomolecular archaeology), biological
anthropology, biology, biomedicine or a related field. In addition,
he/she should have a record of scientific achievements (e.g. peer-review
publications). International mobility and experience of teaching and/or
academic supervision are advantages. In addition, we appreciate ability
for independent research, high motivation and efficiency, as well as
ability to co-operate and work as a research team member.
We are primarily (but not exclusively) searching for a researcher, who
is familiar with bioinformatics and computational genomics. Previous
experience in handling NGS data using scripts and analysis pipelines is
desirable. Other highly useful skills and/or experiences include computer
programming, population genetics, wet lab analysis, genome assembly and
annotation, and/or paleodietary studies (e.g. stable isotope analyses).
Representatives of other fields of research (general archaeology,
historical archaeology, osteoarchaeology, etc.) are, however, strongly
encouraged to apply. A candidate who most likely strengthens research
of our entire research community by being able to interface with more
than one research team will be selected for this position.
Salary
The salary of the postdoctoral researcher will be set on levels 5�V6 of
the national salary scale for the teaching and research staff of Finnish
universities. In addition, supplementary remuneration will be given for
personal achievement and performance, the sum rising to a maximum of
46.3% of the salary scale. In practice, the salary will be about 3300
�V 4000�� at the start of the period.
Applications
Applications, including any attachments, should be submitted by using
the electronic application form by 23 March 2015 at the following address:
http://www.saimanet.com/certiahome/open_jobs_view_new.html?did=5600&lang=en&jc=1&new_ijob_request=true
For further information, contact Docent Markku Niskanen, tel. +358
0294483288, email: Markku.Niskanen(at)oulu.fi.
Applications must include the following documents:
A brief curriculum vitae (max 3 pages).
A certificate of a doctoral degree.
A list of publications sub-divided in the following way: (a)
articles published in refereed journals; (b) articles in
collections of refereed scholarly or scientific papers and in
refereed conference proceedings; (c) scholarly or scientific
monographs; (d) other scholarly or scientific publications in, for
example, non- refereed journals and academic proceedings, and home
university or departmental series.
A brief research and publication plan, with the emphasis on how the
proposed research would advance and relate to the objectives of
the research community bioarcheological research (max 5 pages).
The language of the research and publication plan must be English. All
other documents may be either in English of Finnish.
Prof. Jouni Aspi
Biodiversity Unit
Department of Biology
PO. Box 3000
90014 University of Oulu
FINLAND |
