We offer one PhD position (AIO) in the area of ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis of the earliest livestock in the Netherlands. Questions addressed include gene flow between wild and domestic populations, population dynamics and genetic traits. As a PhD candidate, you should be committed to conducting independent and original scientific research, to report on this research in international peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and disseminating knowledge in non-academic contexts. The result should be a cumulative PhD.

The PhD project is part of a Dutch Science Foundation (NWO) project that focuses on the start and development of animal husbandry in the Dutch wetlands – a case study area of continental importance thanks to its high-quality preservation and fine grained stratigraphy. The larger project also encompasses a PhD on the chronological framework and a postdoc on the diet and mobility of these same animals. This PhD project aims to provide more insight into the appearance and character of the cattle and pig populations exploited in the fifth millennium cal. BC.

The PhD will be trained and supervised jointly by GIA researchers C. Çakırlar (zooarchaeology), the Animal Genomics group at Wageningen University (Prof. Martien Groenen and Dr Ole Madsen.). The aDNA analysis will take place through a secondment at the Trinity College Dublin Molecular Population Genetics Lab (Prof. Daniel Bradley).

• a master's degree in archaeology or biology, with an excellent academic record and affinities with the other fields mentioned
• basic molecular laboratory skills (e.g. DNA extraction, PCR and NGS library preparation)
• DNA sequence data analysis
• excellent command of English and good academic writing skills.

Desired qualifications:
• ancient DNA and clean lab experience
• population genetic theory and analysis
• NGS workflow
• strong affinity with the prehistory of Northwest Europe, zooarchaeology and/or animal breeding.

Fixed-term contract: 36 months.

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:
• a salary at € 2,325 (gross) per month during the first year increasing to € 2,835 (gross) per month for the third year (figures are based on full-time [1.0 FTE] employment
• a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income
• an 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance
• minimum of 29 holidays and additional 12 holidays in case of full-time employment
• a temporary 1.0 FTE appointment for 12 months, an extension of the employment with two additional years is contingent upon a satisfactory assessment of the candidate’s performance after nine months.

Start date: 1 January 2020.

Faculty of Arts

Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has established an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative university offering high-quality teaching and research. Its 31,000 students are encouraged to develop their own individual talents through challenging study and career paths. The University of Groningen is an international center of knowledge: it belongs to the best research universities in Europe and is allied with prestigious partner universities and networks worldwide.
The Graduate School for the Humanities is the home for all PhD candidates of the Faculty of Arts (c. 200), and is committed to creating and maintaining excellent conditions for PhD research in all fields of the humanities. In addition to organizing local courses, the GSH works closely with 16 national research schools which offer regular courses and seminars by national and international top researchers.
GIA (Groningen Institute of Archaeology) is a leading international research institute with a strong
inter-disciplinary research tradition in bioarchaeology and post-glacial prehistory. One of its main points of interest is the development of prehistoric cultural landscapes, in which the transition to farming and the nature of early farming are of key interest. Bioarchaeological research in GIA is facilitated through world-class reference collections, technical staff, and the Center for Isotope Research.