Oh, to be 20 again. PhD Studentship in Biomolecular Archaeology of Wine Business Type: University / Medical School Job Type: Other Region: UK Location: Edgebaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT Contact Name: Dr. Mark Viant Contact Email: m.viant@bham.ac.uk Contact Telephone: 0044-121-414-2219 Employer: University of Birmingham Background The College of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham and the Institute of Science and the Environment at the University of Worcester are jointly seeking to attract a PhD candidate of outstanding ability to conduct research in an exciting and pioneering programme at the interface of archaeology and state-of-the- art biomolecular analysis. The project is jointly supervised between the University of Birmingham (metabolomics and bioinformatics, by Dr Mark Viant) and the University of Worchester (archaeology, by Dr Helen Loney), with the student receiving a PhD (in Biosciences) from Birmingham. Molecular biomarkers measured in organic residues in cooking and storage vessels are widely used in archaeology for revealing knowledge of human activities. For example evidence for wine residues in drinking vessels has been provided by detecting tartaric and syringic acids. The limitation of this often used 'single biomarker approach' is that it requires prior knowledge of which biomarkers to measure. Over the past decade scientific investigations in the biological sciences have been revolutionised by 'omic' technologies, which measure thousands of potential biomarkers simultaneously. Metabolomics is an 'omics' technology that uses state-of-the-art bioanalytical tools, such as ultra-high resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry, for the analysis of thousands of low molecular weight chemicals. Metabolomics then uses 'pattern recognition' computer algorithms for discovering which of these chemicals within the 'molecular fingerprint' provide the most sensitive and specific biomarkers. This 3-year studentship will for the first time apply 'metabolomics' to archaeology, specifically in the study of wine residues. The studentship will be of particular appeal to students whose interests bridge analytical chemistry, numerical analyses ('bioinformatics') and molecular archaeology. Duties The student will undertake extensive laboratory work and bioinformatics focused on the analysis of wine residues. First they will optimise FT-ICR mass spectrometry metabolomic methods for residue analyses. Then experiments will be conducted to characterise the 'molecular fingerprints' imparted into wine from wooden barrels of different origins. Biomarkers of wine (and potentially of wine making techniques) will then be applied to amphorae and related vessels deriving from Punic Sardinian (ca. 5th - 2nd century BC) and Romano- British (ca. 1st - 4th century AD) contexts. Overall the project has two goals: to introduce powerful new analytical and bioinformatic techniques to archaeology, and to test archaeological assumptions concerning the practice in antiquity of wine production and specialised vessel usage. Qualifications Candidates must hold, or expect to hold, a very good honours degree (at least a 2.1 or equivalent) in a relevant subject, though a Masters degree is highly preferred. They should have a strong background, interest and experience in analytical chemistry and numerical analysis. The student will receive considerable training in both scientific fields, but should also be self-motivated. The studentship covers tuition and living expenses (in the vicinity of =A312,300/yr) and is open to both national and international applicants. If English is not their first language they will need to obtain a recognised English language qualification before admission (see application details below). Additional Notes Further information is available on metabolomics (www.biosciences.bham.ac.uk/labs/viant), the research environment (www.biosciences.bham.ac.uk/study/graduate/PhD.htm), and the archaeology at Worcester (www.worcester.ac.uk/departments/9754.html), or by contacting Dr Viant (m.viant@bham.ac.uk) or Dr Loney (h.loney@worc.ac.uk). Applications should be submitted using the University of Birmingham on- line postgraduate application, details of which can be found at www.postgraduate.bham.ac.uk/apply. Applicants should indicate they are applying to the 'PhD Biosciences' programme for research into 'Biomolecular Archaeology of Wine'. They should ignore the question 'Briefly describe your research interest', but instead write a 1-page summary describing their research interests in, and experience relevant to, the advertised position, and email this directly to Drs. Viant and Loney. Closing date for applications: February 5, 2010 Award start date: October 1, 2010. http://www.archaeologynews.org/story.asp?ID=3D545079&Title=3DPhD%20Students= hip%20in%20Biomolecular%20Archaeology%20of%20Wine Other posts:
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