PhD Position (M/F) in Archaeometallurgy – IRAMAT-LAPA (CEA Saclay, France)

Job Description

Thesis Subject

The primary objective of this doctoral thesis is to reconsider current models related to economic structures and the connectivity of human communities during the early Middle Ages (6th–10th centuries) from a pan-European perspective.
This work will be carried out within a research collective comprising historians, archaeologists, anthropologists, and archaeometrists, who will focus on the study of cemeteries and meeting places. The study of the circulation of material goods and ideas serves as the guiding thread for the research conducted within this collective. Two material proxies will be examined: glass beads and iron alloy objects.
This thesis will specifically focus on the study of iron alloys. The proposed study area is comparable to the extent of the Kingdom of Austrasia, stretching from the upper Rhine to its mouth and also including the Meuse basin. Numerous archaeological contexts with varied functions (vernacular and elite settlements, monasteries, *vici*, cemeteries, etc.) have been the subject of recent excavations, providing relevant archaeological collections for determining the nature of the alloys used, the technical knowledge employed in object production, and the identification of exchange networks from local to extra-regional scales.
The doctoral candidate is expected to conduct metallographic examinations and chemical characterizations (primarily SEM-EDS and LA-ICP-MS) on a large corpus of archaeological objects. To this end, they must have at least basic knowledge and skills in the physicochemical characterization of metallic materials. A strong understanding of archaeological and historical contexts is also required. Additionally, the ability to perform *ad hoc* data processing (multivariate statistics, machine learning, etc.) is desirable. Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in the scientific environment (especially R, Python) would be an asset.
Most of the work will be carried out in the laboratory at the LAPA facilities on the CEA Saclay site. Field missions will be conducted to collect samples and perform additional examinations at the Laboratoire Métallurgies et Cultures in Sévenans. As part of an ERC Synergy project, the student will be expected to collaborate closely with several other students and established researchers across 6 European countries.

Your Work Environment

The Laboratoire Archéomatériaux et Prévision de l'Altération (LAPA-IRAMAT and LAPA-NIMBE) is located on the CEA Saclay site (Gif-sur-Yvette) and is part of the UMR 7065 IRAMAT and UMR 3685 NIMBE. The laboratory specializes in the study of ancient metallic alloys, focusing on both corrosion and archaeometallurgy.
Additional analyses will also be conducted at the Centre Ernest Babelon in Orléans and the Laboratoire Métallurgies et Cultures in Belfort-Sévenans.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2300 € gross monthly

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

The research professions