Missions

The goal of the ERC Synergy Project QUANTA (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/951388) is to reconstruct the evolution of cognitive tools that enable precise quantification, to evaluate their potential co-evolution with other cultural dimensions, and to understand how their emergence addressed increasing societal needs. It has been proposed that such tools already existed during the Paleolithic period, taking the form of animal or lithic hard material objects bearing serial marks. The postdoctoral researcher will conduct an in-depth study of these objects using innovative analytical methods. They will also extend the research to ethnographic records in order to examine the use of analogous objects in contemporary traditional societies, particularly those involved in the exosomatic storage of information. This cross-disciplinary approach will strengthen the comparative dimension of the project and enrich theoretical frameworks related to the emergence of quantification devices.

Activités

-Conduct technological, traceological, and morphometric analyses of archaeological and experimental objects made from animal and mineral materials.
-Develop and apply innovative analytical protocols to Paleolithic objects from Europe and Africa.
-Build comparative databases integrating archaeological and experimental data.
-Contribute to the development of theoretical frameworks addressing the links between cognitive tools, cultural practices, and notation systems.
-Draft scientific articles in English under the supervision of the project's Principal Investigators.
-Collaborate closely with other QUANTA team members (Bordeaux, Bergen, Leipzig, Zurich).
-Participate in training workshops, research stays, and international conferences.
-Contribute to the scientific and institutional dissemination of the project (website, database, outreach).

Compétences

-PhD in Prehistory, Archaeology, Cognitive Science, Anthropology, or related disciplines.
-Excellent command of statistical analysis, particularly geometric morphometrics and surface analysis, using R and/or Python.
-Strong skills in macrophotography, imaging, confocal microscopy (Mountains software), and image analysis (ImageJ, Illustrator, Photoshop).
-Experience with the analysis of hard material objects (bone, ivory, stone) and/or ethnographic devices related to information storage.
-Proven ability to design and carry out comparative research across heterogeneous corpora.
-Strong interest in cognitive evolution, epistemology, interdisciplinarity, and transcultural approaches.
-Demonstrated experience working in an international and collaborative research environment.
-Fluency in spoken and written English; knowledge of French is an asset.

Contexte de travail

The position is based in Bordeaux at UMR 5199 PACEA (University of Bordeaux / CNRS / Ministry of Culture), under the supervision of Francesco d'Errico, one of the four Principal Investigators of the ERC Synergy Project QUANTA.
PACEA is an interdisciplinary research unit renowned for its work in archaeology, biological anthropology, paleoanthropology, geosciences, and cognitive science. The laboratory and the project are equipped with high-performance analytical tools, including SEM-EDS, fixed and portable confocal microscopes, multifocus microscopes, pXRF, and Raman spectroscopy.
The postdoctoral researcher will join a dynamic international team and collaborate closely with partner institutions in Bergen, Leipzig, and Zurich.

Contraintes et risques

-Availability for regular travel in Europe and, if applicable, to Africa.
-Work with museum collections or sensitive archaeological materials: strict adherence to conservation protocols is required.
-Ability to operate in multicultural and interdisciplinary environments.
-Use of specialized IT, optical, and imaging equipment may involve visual or postural fatigue.