Post doctoral position in biological anthropology: Bordeaux, France

This postdoctoral position is part of the GRAVETT’OS project funded by the French national agency for research (ANR). This project aims to better understand the biological and behavioural characteristics of Upper Palaeolithic European populations and, in particular, those from the key Gravettian period (c. 30-22 Ka), by studying the human remains from four major sites from the Southwest of France, Cro-Magnon, Abri Pataud, Cussac, and Gargas.

The researcher will work in the PACEA department at the Université de Bordeaux, under the scientific supervision of Dr. Sébastien Villotte and Dr. Yann Heuzé, and in collaboration with the other members of the GRAVETT’OS team.
The postdoctoral researcher will analyse the external morphology and structural properties of bones from 3D data (CT images and meshes), in order to:
– Reassemble scattered and mixed bones;
– Characterize and quantify the biological variation seen in the French Gravettian sample;
– Compare these individuals with those from other geographic area and other periods to discuss microevolutionary processes during the Upper Palaeolithic.

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in biological anthropology, palaeontology or related fields. Candidates who are preparing their doctoral thesis are eligible to apply; however, they must have obtained their Ph.D. before taking up their appointment. Suitable candidates should preferably have expertise in cranial and infra cranial anatomy, three-dimensional imaging techniques, and morphometry.

Deadline to submit application: March 31, 2016.

Starting date: September 1, 2016.

Annual net salary: 27.600€. The position is initially funded for one year, and may be extended 8 additional months.

The postdoctoral researcher will work in a stimulating environment in collaboration with archeologists and biological anthropologists at PACEA in Bordeaux, a city listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site and famous for being one of the most appealing cultural and gastronomic destinations in the world.

Interested candidates should submit a statement of research interests, a curriculum vitae, a publication list, two reference letters (specifying name, surname and e-mail of each referee) to Dr. Sébastien Villotte (s.villotte@pacea.u-bordeaux1.fr).