Missions

Missions :
The position involves directing a research project in ceramology and archaeometry and managing a team of researchers and engineers. The project is hosted by the CNRS UMR 5138 “Archéologie et Archéométrie” (ArAr), based in Lyon.
This project focuses on the diachronic study of ceramics from the oases of AlUla and Khaybar in Northwest Saudi Arabia.
It has two main goals:
1. to document the evolution of ceramic production from the late 5th–early 4th millennium to the end of the 1st millennium BCE, in order to establish a regional ceramic reference framework for both oases and to identify production workshops across the entire chronological sequence, using the chaîne opératoire approach;
2. to create a comprehensive ceramic database that integrates all chrono-typological, technological and archaeometric results.

Within this framework, the researcher will be responsible for:
• Coordinating ceramological studies within the CMCA Project, in close collaboration with teams working on both past and ongoing excavation projects;
• Studying and recording ceramics from several sites within the oases of AlUla and Khaybar, from the Late Chalcolithic (Late 5th–early 4th millennium) to the end of the 1st millennium BCE;
• Identifying and dating ceramic material culture (vessels, figurines, incense burners, etc.);
• Documenting the evolution of production dynamics through the chaîne opératoire approach;
• Designing and implementing a diachronic ceramic database for Northwest Arabia (chrono-typology, macrofabrics, stylistics, archaeometric analyses);
• Supervising and contributing to the reconstruction of the chaîne opératoire for ceramic production, one of the project's main axes;
• Supervising and carrying out archaeometric analyses (petrography, geochemistry, XRD, 3D imaging, etc.) in collaboration with the analytical platforms of the ArAr laboratory (CNRS, Lyon);
• Supervising and participating in clay survey in the oases of AlUla and Khaybar;
• Supervising and contributing to the project's experimental axis in collaboration with ceramists, experimental archaeologists and ethnoarchaeologists (reproduction, firing, documentation);
• Participating in the training of Master's students in ceramology of Northwest Arabia;
• Contributing to scientific dissemination: publications, conference papers, database, and broader heritage outreach.

Activities

Detailed activities :
• Project leadership and team management
Leading the project and managing a team of researchers and engineers. This includes ensuring scientific and technical coordination, monitoring deliverables, maintaining regular contact with funders and Franco-Saudi partners, and taking responsibility for the overall scientific progress of the project.
Administrative and logistical coordination
Setting up the operational framework for the scientific mission: maintain local contacts to address logistical issues (accommodation, organization of fieldwork, logistics, scientific collaborations, etc.).
• Data acquisition and recording
Organizing and supervising the acquisition of ceramic data. The researcher will record and structure ceramic data in the field and implement adapted recording methods. This requires an excellent knowledge of the ceramic material culture of Northwest Arabia and adjacent regions.
• Sampling and export procedures
Planning and supervising the sampling of ceramics and clays for analysis, and ensuring that export procedures are correctly handled. The researcher will organize and carry out extensive sampling campaigns across numerous archaeological sites in the two oases, in order to conduct different types of archaeometric analyses. Based on the study results, he/she will be responsible for selecting appropriate samples of ceramic material (vessels, figurines, incense burners, etc.) to be analyzed later in laboratories in France.
• Technological analysis of ceramics
Carrying out technological studies of ceramics in order to characterize the long-term evolution of ceramic production, identify technological trends and facies over roughly four millennia, and develop a documentation system allowing all data to be integrated into an interactive database combining different types of material characterization.
• Conduct and supervise clay survey
The researcher will lead survey in various oases to identify potential clay sources used for ceramic production, in close collaboration with geomorphology and geoarchaeology teams. Selected samples will be exported to France for laboratory analyses.
• Creating chrono-typology
Creating a chrono-typology of ceramics from the late 5th–early 4th millennium to the end of the 1st millennium BCE for several archaeological sites in the oases of AlUla and Khaybar and managing these datasets so that they can be integrated into a broader regional database.
• Experimental archaeology
Supervising and contributing to the experimental axis. Based on the acquired data and the characterization of ceramic material culture, the researcher will work with ceramist and ethnoarchaeologists to reconstruct key stages of the chaîne opératoire and ensure the success of this experimental study.
• Database development
Designing, implementing and progressively expanding an interactive database over the duration of the project. The researcher will integrate data generated by the various researchers and engineers and ensure the long-term sustainability of this resource.
• Laboratory analyses
Conducting and supervising numerous archaeometric analyses (petrographic and physico-chemical) in the laboratory. Most work will be conducted in Lyon (ArAr, UMR 5138 CNRS). Multi-proxy studies will combine geochemical, petrographic, and mineralogical analyses (including XRD) using the laboratory's instrumental facilities, with the goal of characterizing workshop production, long-term technological evolution, and regional/interregional exchange systems.

Skills

Required qualifications and skills :
• PhD in archaeology, with specialization in ceramology and archaeometry and at least two years of experience;
• Ability to lead a team of researchers and engineers in the field and train students in a multicultural, multilingual context (English, French, Arabic);
• Strong project management and coordination skills;
• Excellent knowledge of the archaeological and chronological contexts of Northwest Arabia;
• Research experience in the region or in comparable contexts;
• Excellent written and spoken English (minimum C1 level);
• Advanced skills in ceramic analysis, archaeometric methods and digital tools;
• Ability to produce scientific reports and peer-reviewed articles;
• Rigor, strong organizational skills, autonomy and the ability to work effectively in an international environment.

Results and controls

Expected outputs and evaluation :
Several deliverables are expected and will guide evaluation of the project:
• T0–T6: Design of a comprehensive database systematically recording all ceramic, archaeometric and experimental data produced during the project.
This database, developed and managed by UMR 5138 ArAr, will ensure the long-term preservation and access of the ceramic and archaeometric data from AlUla and Khaybar.
• T7 à T 24 Completion of field missions and achievement of objectives related to data collection and documentation across different archaeological sites.
• T12 – T24 – T28 Writing of mission reports, annual reports and a final report presenting all results obtained during fieldwork and providing the first comprehensive synthesis and analysis of the ceramic and archaeometric data from the oases of AlUla and Khaybar.
• T25 - Organization of an international conference in Lyon, Paris or AlUla, bringing together specialists on ceramics and archaeometry in the region.

Work Context

Working environment :
The project is attached to UMR 5138 CNRS “Archéologie et Archéométrie” (ArAr), based in Lyon, and funded by AFALULA in partnership with the RCU.
The position is based in Lyon (7th district) and involves regular travel to Paris (AFALULA headquarters) and to Saudi Arabia for fieldwork.

Constraints and risks

Constraints and Risks :
The position involves frequent missions in Saudi Arabia, requiring FSD approval.
Field activities may involve risks related to extreme environmental conditions (heat, aridity, remoteness).