Research Associate for the Project “Non-destructive Material Profiling of Clay Tablets: Thermal Stability of Mineral Constituents and Conservation History” § 28 Subsection 3 HmbHG
InstitutionCluster of Excellence „Understanding Written Artefacts“
Salary level
Start date01.01.2026, fixed until 30.06.2029 (This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act [Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG]).
Application deadline07.10.2025
Scope of workpart-time
Weekly hours75 % of standard work hours per week
The Cluster of Excellence ‘Understanding Written Artefacts’ (UWA) is looking for a doctoral researcher in the field of Geosciences. UWA offers an exciting opportunity to research handwritten artefacts across materials, periods and regions within a collaborative team of doctoral, postdoctoral and senior/professorial researchers. You will be part of an international team of researchers from across over forty disciplines in the Humanities, the Natural Sciences and Computer Science. The Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures is by now the largest research centre of its kind worldwide and offers a uniquely dynamic research environment.
Your responsibilities
Duties include academic services in the project named above. Research associates may also pursue independent research and further academic qualifications. They may also pursue doctoral studies outside of working duties.
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.
Your profile
A university degree in a relevant field.
Fluent English, written and spoken.
A university degree (Master or equivalent) in Geosciences -Mineralogy, or a closely related discipline is preferred. Deep knowledge on the atomic structure and crystal chemistry of complex hydrous silicates is required as well as basic knowledge on atomic dynamics of crystals, mineral spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction.
Further preferred qualifications and experience include:
1. experience in performing Raman spectroscopic experiments under non-ambient conditions
2. experience in electron microprobe analysis and/or x-ray fluorescence analysis
3. experience in powder x-ray diffraction and/or infrared spectroscopy
4. ability to work in a team, creativity, and high motivation to achieve the goals of the project
We offer
5. Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements
6. Continuing education opportunities
7. University pensions
8. Attractive location
9. Flexible working hours
10. Work-life balance opportunities
11. Health management, EGYM Wellpass
12. Educational leave
13. 30 days of vacation per annum
The successful candidate can benefit from a range of tailored support measures at the Cluster, which include,
14. enrolment in the clusters with an interdisciplinary structured PhD programme
15. additional funding for a range of research activities, including fieldwork
16. doctoral mentoring programmes
17. workshops to support your academic skills as well as your career planning
18. promoting
Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.
The University of Hamburg is committed to equity. Diversity enriches our university life, whether in our studies, research, teaching, education, or workplace. We therefore welcome all applications, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or social background, age, religion or belief, disability, or chronic illness.
Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.