[ES_JOBS_NET] 2-year Post-doc position at CNRS, Paris

[Erika Marín-Spiotta]

>
>  2 year post-doc position at CNRS - Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle,
Paris (France)
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> Title:  "Characterization and 14C dating of ultra-small bone collagen
samples »
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> Gross salary : € 30 000 per annum
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> Radiocarbon (14C) dating is one of the most accurate dating methods for
the past 50,000 years, and certainly the most accurate for the Holocene.
Limiting the amount of sample needed for 14C dating is crucial for
archaeologists and conservators, and constant efforts have been made in
this area. The new generation of accelerators (Compact Radiocarbon System,
or CRS), paves the way for dating small quantities of bone samples, in the
order of 100 mg of bone or less. The main challenge in employing
micro-samples is the increase in the risk of contamination and thus
efficient sample preparation protocols need to be developed. The reliable
application of these protocols to micro-samples thus requires a biochemical
(and/or chemical) characterization of the collagen extracted. New
developments in mass spectrometry enable efficient analysis of the bone
proteins and it is now possible to confirm the purity of the collagen
samples and also to characterize the presence of organic contaminants
and/or micro-organisms. This project aims to evaluate the following
points:  (1) collagen from very small bone samples can be efficiently
extracted and chemically characterized, (2) soil pollution (humic acids,
fungi) can be identified and eliminated, (3) reliable 14C ages can be
measured on these very small samples.
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> The post-doc will be responsible for sample analysis in the laboratory
and for the interpretation of results. He/she will test several collagen
extraction protocols, and choose the best suited to the dating of
micro-samples depending on the biochemical characterization of the organic
residues by mass spectrometry (MALDI, Py-GC-MS, LC-MS) with different
partners. He/she will be responsible for the preparation of the
micro-samples for 14C dating on the collagen extraction line and subsequent
measurement using CRS located in Gif–sur-Yvette (Ile de-France) which would
be accessible from 2015. The validated analytical protocol will be
implemented in collaboration with collaborators from bioarchaeology to
several projects for which dating using small quantity of samples is
crucial (e.g., micro- vertebrates, human remains or artifacts of high
cultural heritage value).
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> Applications (in French or in English) are invited from candidates with a
PhD degree or expected to obtain the degree at the start of the project
(1st of September 2014). Candidates from any of the following
specialization are welcome to apply: geochemistry, geochronology,
bio-analytical chemistry, bioarchaeology. Previous research experience in
radiocarbon dating, mass spectrometry or proteomics will be evaluated
positively. Fluency in either English or French is required and basic level
French is recommended for non-French speakers. Candidates are requested to
send a full CV, minimum one letter of recommendation and a letter of
motivation in a single pdf file to Antoine Zazzo (zazzo at mnhn.fr) and
Séverine Zirah (szirah at mnhn.fr). The closing date for the position is on
30th May 2014.
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> The shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in early July. The
successful candidate will be expected to commence in the beginning of
September. Salary is € 30 000/year (gross) and the post-doc will hold a
fixed term contract with the CNRS.
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> --
> Dr. Antoine Zazzo
> CNRS - Mu:séum national d'Histoire naturelle
> UMR 7209 "Archéozoologie, Archéobotanique : Sociétés, Pratiques et
> Environnements"
> USM 303 - Département Ecologie et Gestion de la Biodiversité
> case postale 56 (bâtiment d'anatomie comparée)
> 55, rue Buffon
> F-75231 Paris cedex 05
> France.
> tel: 33 (0)1 40 79 33 13   fax : 33 (0)1 40 79 33 14
> Site web  http://www2.mnhn.fr/archeozoo-archeobota/
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