PhD in HEROIC: Forensic Evidence Recovery & Human Remains Identification

HEROIC task – Human body Evidence Recovery, Outreach, Identification and Care task

The process of detecting, recovering, and identifying unknown human remains is complex and challenging. Investigators and forensic specialists face many practical and scientific challenges throughout this process. There is a clear need within the professional field to further improve and standardize methods for recovery, identification, and the collection and analysis of evidence from human remains.

For this PhD position, you will be jointly appointed at Amsterdam UMC (0.5 FTE) and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (0.5 FTE). This unique collaboration between two institutions offers you the opportunity to conduct research across different organizational and disciplinary environments. You will benefit from access to a broad range of expertise, resources, and facilities, as well as exposure to diverse research cultures and practice-oriented approaches.

Would you like to know more about the different phases within the PhD trajectory? You can read more about this on this page.

As a PhD candidate, you will conduct innovative research aimed at improving the identification of human remains and the preservation of forensic evidence with a specific focus on DNA and fingerprints. You will investigate the impact of taphonomic processes on the persistence of forensic traces, optimize recovery and sampling techniques, and enhance identification tools. In addition, you will develop user-friendly methods for rapid identification, particularly in the areas of DNA analysis and fingerprint examination. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including forensic practitioners, and international partners, to ensure that your research has real-world impact.

The ideal candidate is curious, methodical, and hands-on, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, a professional approach to working with sensitive material, and a clear motivation to support justice and contribute to the future of forensic science.

• A Master’s degree in forensic science, biology, biomedical sciences, anthropology, or a related field
• Experience with DNA analysis and/or fingerprint analysis, or other trace evidence analysis
• Scientific curiosity and a keen interest in human decomposition, taphonomy or post-mortem processes
• Laboratory skills, including various DNA analysis methods and other (bio)chemical techniques
• Strong communication skills and the ability to liaise effectively with international partners.
• Proficiency in English, with excellent written and oral communication skills.

A detail-oriented approach to data analysis, ensuring high-quality and scientifically accurate results.

For this position, you will be appointed at both institutions for 0.5 FTE each. Both organizations have different employment conditions, and therefore both sets of terms will apply to you.

Employment Conditions Amsterdam UMC Research BV

• A flying start to your career in scientific research.
• Plenty of room for your drive to shape tomorrow's healthcare.
• Working on large-scale and in-house research, with motivated colleagues from all over the world.
• You will be employed by Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
• A contract for 12 months, with the intention to extend for a total of 4 years. The Guideline PhD contract applies to this vacancy.
• Salary scale OIO: € 3.108 to € 3.939 gross based on full-time employment (depending on education and experience) and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. Calculate your net salary here.
• Holiday hours: 190.4 per year for fulltime and a possibility to save additional hours.
• Pension accrual with BeFrank, a modern, comprehensible and fairly priced pension.
• For >7 km each way, 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs and, for private transport, €0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km each way.
• Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme. Moreover, you will receive a reimbursement of €0.18 per km.

Watch this video with more information about joining Amsterdam UMC Research BV.

Employment Conditions Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences

• A 12-month contract, with the intention to extend to a total duration of 4 years.
• A gross monthly salary between €3.667,- and €5.154,- (Hay profile scale 9) of the collective labour agreement for higher professional education, depending on your education and experience and based on a full-time appointment.
• An end-of-year bonus of 8.3% and holiday allowance of 8% of your gross annual salary.
• Entitlement to various types of leave, including (un)paid parental leave, care leave, adoption and foster care leave, and other arrangements.
• A commuting allowance, a NS-Business Card, an AUAS bicycle, or a tax incentive for purchasing your own bicycle. If you are unable to use personal or public transport to travel to work, e.g. because of a disability, we will explore alternate possibilities together.
• Discounts on various facilities and services, such as books, cultural courses, hardware and software, and insurance packages.
• A strong focus on job satisfaction, work-life balance, and vitality. You can participate in sports activities for AUAS staff or at the USC sports centre, consult (career) coaches, and access online tools to support your mental well-being.
• A solid pension scheme via the ABP pension fund.
• A monthly internet allowance, a laptop and smartphone on loan.
• Last but not least: the opportunity to work in a dynamic and supportive environment with inspiring colleagues. You can also connect outside work through AUAS communities such as HvAPride, HvA Alumni, HvA United, JongHvA and FEM IT.

Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences

At the Faculty of Technology, students, teachers, researchers and external partners work intensively together on current issues in society. Consider challenges such as the climate, sustainability, housing shortage, transport and health.

Together with our partners, our education and research makes a substantial contribution to technical and technological solutions for social issues of today and the future. All our employees contribute to this from their own expertise and thus literally lay the foundation for the developments of tomorrow!

Talent as our foundation, diversity as our strength

No two of our more than 45,000 students and 4,500 employees are the same! Can you imagine how dynamic such a rich mix of personalities, backgrounds and perspectives is? This diversity is essential, because we believe it istrengthens us both as an employer and as a university of applied sciences serving the metropolitan region of Amsterdam. We aim for our staff to reflect the rich diversity that Amsterdam has to offer and to foster an environment where every employee and every student feels welcome, valued, and at home. Whoever you are: you are welcome here!

Amsterdam UMC Research BV supports non-profit scientific research. In doing so, we provide researchers with everything they need to excel. Our principal investigators (PIs) and project leaders offer support in the field of project management, finance and human resources. In medical scientific research projects, legal support is also provided.

Watch the video to find out more.

You can apply via the Amsterdam UMC website, submitting your CV and cover letter. Due to the joint appointment at both institutions, there is a shared selection committee. Both organizations will review your application.

During the publication period, applications will be handled continuously. If the vacancy is filled, it will be closed prematurely.

If you have any questions about this position, please feel free to contact Annemieke van Dam, senior lecturer Forensic Research Group, at a.van.dam2@hva.nl or on +31 6 4340 2322.

For more information about the application procedure, please contact Chey Edwards, recruitment advisor, at c.i.edwards@amsterdamumc.nl or on +31 6 2148 7245.

A reference check, screening and hiring assessment may be part of the procedure. Read here whether that applies to you. If you join us, we ask you for a VOG (Certificate of Good Conduct).

Internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates in case of equal suitability.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy will not be considered.