Postdoctoral Researcher in Biological Anthropology

The BITE Brno project, funded by the Czech Science Foundation, investigates the biological and biosocial dimensions of urbanization in Brno between the 9th and 19th centuries through an integrated bioarchaeological framework. It combines demographic, health, and landscape perspectives to explore how urbanization shaped population structure and lived experiences over the longue durée. By focusing on a single urban setting and treating multiple burial grounds as components of a coherent population, the project enables the analysis of large-scale patterns (ca. 1,000 individuals) using complementary state-of-the-art analytical approaches within a collaborative research framework.

The position specifically focuses on reconstructing demographic structures and mobility patterns to better understand biological responses to urbanization. The BITE Brno project invites applications from qualified candidates to support and advance the project’s research objectives.

Job Description:

Key Duties:

• Lead and coordinate the paleodemographic analysis of a large archaeological human skeletal assemblage.
• Perform sex and age-at-death estimation (adults and non-adults) using established osteological methods.
• Apply and/or contribute to the development of complementary approaches (e.g. cementochronology, proteomic sex estimation).
• Work efficiently on a large dataset while ensuring analytical consistency and data quality.
• Participate in the integration of demographic data with other project datasets (e.g. isotopic, paleopathological, and archaeological data).
• Contribute to statistical analyses and interpretation of population structure in relation to urbanization.
• Ensure high standards of data recording, consistency, and quality control across the assemblage.
• Prepare and co-author scientific publications and project outputs within project timelines.
• Collaborate with project partners and contribute to student supervision when relevant.

Skills and Qualifications:

Required selection criteria:

• PhD in anthropology, bioarchaeology, biological anthropology, palaeobiology, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in biological profiling and paleodemographic analysis of archaeological human remains (preferably in inhumation contexts).
• Ability to work efficiently and independently on large osteological datasets.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to data quality and consistency.
• Ability to manage workload autonomously and meet deadlines.
• Good communication skills and ability to work within a team.
• Proficiency in English (minimum B2 level, both written and spoken).

Preferred selection criteria:

• Experience working with large skeletal assemblages.
• Experience with data recording and data management practices.
• Interest or experience in sampling and sample preparation for cementochronology and proteomic analyses.
• Experience with statistical analysis (e.g. R or equivalent).
• Experience contributing to scientific publications.
• Valid category B driving license (for field or collection access, if applicable).

Additional Information:

Czech is not required.

Training in specific analytical approaches (e.g. cementochronology or proteomic methods) will be provided if needed.

Informal inquiries about the position can be sent to Dr. Kévin Salesse (k.salesse@sci.muni.cz).

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