Vacant Positions

We looking for a doctoral researcher in the field of Geosciences to work on a project on ‘Non-destructive Material Profiling of Clay Tablets: Thermal Stability of Mineral Constituents and Conservation History’.

The position is part-time (75% of standard work hours per week) and fixed-term, with a duration of three and a half years (1 January 2026 to 30 June 2029). 

Your core responsibility is to pursue your research project, involving in situ and ex situ temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy as well as EMP and TG analyses on representative phyllosilicates typical of clays, Infrared spectroscopy and powder x-ray diffraction on clays, Raman mapping on dummy clay objects and authentic clay tablets. The goal is to develop a strategy for non-invasive determination of the firing history and determination/back-determination of the initial phase and chemical composition of unfired/fired cuneiform clay tablets. You will actively contribute to the cluster’s interdisciplinary Graduate School and collaborative research activities. Activities include participation in research meetings, organising scholarly events, and developing relevant networks.

The deadline for applications is 21 October 2025.

More information on the position and how to apply is available here.

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We are looking for a doctoral researcher in the field of X-ray phase-contrast imaging to work on deciphering writings composed of carbon-based inks. The deadline for applications is 2 November 2025.

The position is part-time (75% of standard work hours per week) and fixed-term, with a duration of three and a half years (1 January 2026 to 30 June 2029). 

X-ray imaging is a non-invasive technique that allows to investigate the inner structure of samples without destructive sample preparation. However, certain writings composed of carbon-based inks are often difficult to separate from their support and require more advanced X-ray analytical methods. The aim of this project is to investigate the applicability of X-ray phase-contrast imaging to enhance the X-ray optical contrast required to visualise writings using carbon-based inks in layered structures, such as bookbinding boards, mummy cartonnage, or damaged compact stacks of leaves.

Your core responsibility is to pursue your research project. You will actively contribute to the cluster’s interdisciplinary Graduate School and collaborative research activities. Activities include participation in research meetings, organising scholarly events and developing relevant networks.

Furthermore, a new laboratory environment for X-ray phase-contrast imaging is currently being developed at the Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron (DESY). Responsibilities in this phase will include designing, implementing and commissioning the new setup. In collaboration with the Mobile Lab, this setup will then be used to investigate the performance of magnified X-ray phase-contrast imaging on mock-up and cultural heritage samples.

The deadline for applications is 2 November 2025. 

More information on the position and how to apply is available here.