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University of Helsinki (Faculty of Arts) invites applications for the position of

DOCTORAL CANDIDATE (HUMAN OSTEOLOGY)
in human osteology, paleopathology and taphonomy for a fixed term of up to four years, preferably starting in January 2021 (the start date is negotiable, but not later than April 2021). The position is placed in the European Research Council-funded project “Animals Make Identities: The Social Bioarchaeology of Late Mesolithic and Early Neolithic Cemeteries in North-East Europe” (AMI) at the University of Helsinki.

The doctoral candidate will conduct full-time research and work towards the completion of a PhD thesis within the field of human osteology. The position may include some teaching or administrative duties (no more than 5%).
The appointee must either have the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki by the start of the appointment, or apply for the right separately in spring 2021 (www.helsinki.fi/en/research/doctoral-education/the-application-process-i...).

The European Research Council-funded project “Animals Make Identities” (AMI) at the University of Helsinki runs from 2020–2025 and is directed by Dr. Kristiina Mannermaa. AMI seeks to understand links between hunter-gatherers and animals and reconstruct life histories of humans, animals and artefacts based on burial finds from North-East Europe.

The task of the PhD candidate is to conduct a systematic osteoarchaeological study of human remains from the Late Mesolithic Yuzhniy Oleniy Ostrov cemetery (Northwest Russia), to include palaeopathological and archaeothanatological analysis. For reference, analyses of human material from other hunter-gatherer sites can also be undertaken. She/he will interpret the results and write a thesis that will help us understand the life histories of the buried persons. The aim of the systematic osteoarchaeological and palaeopathological study of the human remains is to understand the physical features and condition of these people, their health status and poten-tial causes of death. The archaeothanatological analysis will enable mortuary practices to be investigated.

The PhD candidate will carry out independent research under the supervision of Dr. Mannermaa, Professor Ei-leen Murphy (Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland) and Dr. Vyacheslav Moiseyev (Peter the Great Mu-seum of Anthropology and Ethnography, St Petersburg, Russia). The results of the analyses will be combined with those of other AMI researchers in order to understand the individual life histories and social identities of the deceased at Yuzhniy Oleniy Ostrov. She/he will work in close collaboration with the rest of the AMI team.

The ideal applicant is a highly motivated student with a background in archaeology, physical anthropolo-gy/osteoarchaeology or a related field, and a master’s degree (or equivalent) completed by the start of the posi-tion. The candidate must be experienced in human osteology, paleopathology and archaeothanatology.

The ideal applicant has excellent skills in working both independently and collaboratively as part of a multidiscipli-nary scientific community. As the working language is English, the successful candidate is expected to have ex-cellent skills in written and spoken English. Skills in Russian are preferable but not essential. The position is based in Helsinki, but tasks also include conducting work abroad, especially in Russia (St Petersburg).

The University of Helsinki offers a salary dependent on qualifications and work experience. The salary will be based on recruitment levels 2–4 of the job requirement scheme for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee shall be paid a salary component based on personal work performance. The salary will be EUR 2261–3126 per month, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and work experience. The appointment starts with a probationary period of six months.
Applicants are requested to enclose the following English-language documents with their applications as one pdf file:
(1) Your CV (max. 3 pages);
(2) A letter of motivation addressing the project’s research questions (max. 2 pages);
(3) One or two representative pieces of your writing (if possible, including your master’s thesis); and
(4) The name and contact details of at least one referees.
Please name the pdf file with your last name and the initials of your first name.
An interview via Zoom will be arranged for the shortlisted candidates.
Please submit your application, together with the required attachments, through the University of Helsinki Re-cruitment System via the link Apply for the position. Applicants who are currently employees of the University of Helsinki are requested to submit their application via the SAP HR portal https://saphr.it.helsinki.fi/irj/portal.
For further information on the position, please contact Kristiina Mannermaa (kristiina.mannermaa@helsinki.fi). Further information about the recruitment process can be obtained from HR Specialist Maria Colliander, maria.colliander@helsinki.fi.

For more information on AMI and its members, please see http://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/animals-make-identities
For information on the University of Helsinki as an employer, please see https://www.helsinki.fi/en/university/working-at-the-university