Solliciteer nu »

PhD in HEROIC: Forensic Evidence Recovery & Human Remains Identification

Sluitingsdatum:  6th of march
Beschrijving: 

 

Location                      Amsterdam

Salary                           €3.667,- to €5.154,- based on a 36-hour working week

Employment                Fulltime (2 appointments)

                         

 

Would you like to contribute to impactful forensic research by developing methods to preserve crucial evidence from decomposed human remains? Would you like to work in an interdisciplinary research team alongside scientific researchers, field professionals, and international consortium partners?

If so, this position within the Forensic Research Group at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and the Amsterdam UMC could be an excellent opportunity for you.

 

Research project HEROIC

HEROIC task – Human body Evidence Recovery, Outreach, Identification and Care task

 

The process of detecting, recovering, and identifying unknown human remains is complex and challenging. Investigators and forensic specialists face many practical and scientific challenges throughout this process. There is a clear need within the professional field to further improve and standardize methods for recovery, identification, and the collection and analysis of evidence from human remains.

This project aims to enhance evidence preservation and streamline recovery procedures through scenario-based crime scene investigations. Each body undergoes a unique taphonomic process depending on the environmental conditions to which it is exposed. As a result, investigators are not always able to determine the most effective strategies for the collection and preservation of forensic evidence. Since multiple types of traces can be recovered, this project will primarily focus on human DNA and fingerprints. 

As a PhD candidate, you will conduct innovative research aimed at improving the identification of human remains and the preservation of forensic evidence with a specific focus on DNA and fingerprints. You will investigate the impact of taphonomic processes on the persistence of forensic traces, optimize recovery and sampling techniques, and enhance identification tools. In addition, you will develop user-friendly methods for rapid identification, particularly in the areas of DNA analysis and fingerprint examination. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including forensic practitioners, and international partners, to ensure that your research has real-world impact. The ideal candidate is curious, methodical, and hands-on, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, a professional approach to working with sensitive material, and a clear motivation to support justice and contribute to the future of forensic science.

Importantly, this PhD position is a unique joint appointment between two institutions, offering you the opportunity to conduct research across different organizational and disciplinary environments. You will benefit from access to a broader range of expertise, resources, and facilities, as well as exposure to diverse research cultures and practical approaches.

 

Our offer for HvA

  • A dual appointment: 0,5 FTE at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and 0.5 FTE  at the Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
  • A 12-month contract, with the intention to extend to a total duration of 4 years.
  • A gross monthly salary between €3.667,- and €5.154,- (HvA, Hay profile scale 9) of the collective labour agreement for higher professional education, depending on your education and experience and based on a full-time appointment.
  • An end-of-year bonus of 8.3% and holiday allowance of 8% of your gross annual salary.
  • Entitlement to various types of leave, including (un)paid parental leave, care leave, adoption and foster care leave, and other arrangements.
  • A commuting allowance, a NS-Business Card, an AUAS bicycle, or a tax incentive for purchasing your own bicycle. If you are unable to use personal or public transport to travel to work, e.g. because of a disability, we will explore alternate possibilities together.
  • Discounts on various facilities and services, such as books, cultural courses, hardware and software, and insurance packages.
  • A strong focus on job satisfaction, work-life balance, and vitality. You can participate in sports activities for AUAS staff or at the USC sports centre, consult (career) coaches, and access online tools to support your mental well-being.
  • A solid pension scheme via the ABP pension fund.
  • A monthly internet allowance, a laptop and smartphone on loan.
  • Last but not least: the opportunity to work in a dynamic and supportive environment with inspiring colleagues. You can also connect outside work through AUAS  communities such as HvAPride, HvA Alumni, HvA United, JongHvA and FEM IT.

 

Our offer for Amsterdam UMC Research BV

  • A flying start to your career in scientific research.
  • Plenty of room for your drive to shape tomorrow's healthcare.
  • Working on large-scale and in-house research, with motivated colleagues from all over the world.
  • You will be employed by Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
  • A contract for 12 months, with the intention to extend for a total of 4 years. The Guideline PhD contract applies to this vacancy.
  • Salary scale OIO: € 3.108 to € 3.939 gross based on full-time employment (depending on education and experience) and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. Calculate your net salary here.
  • Holiday hours: 190.4 per year for fulltime and a possibility to save additional hours.
  • Pension accrual with BeFrank, a modern, comprehensible and fairly priced pension.
  • For >7 km each way, 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs and, for private transport, €0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km each way.
  • Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme. Moreover, you will receive a reimbursement of €0.18 per km.

 

Watch this video with more information about joining Amsterdam UMC Research BV.

 

What you bring to the table

At AUAS, no two employees are the same. No matter who you are, you will be a valuable addition to our team. You also possess:

  • A Master’s degree in forensic science, biology, biomedical sciences, anthropology, or a related field
  • Experience with DNA analysis and/or fingerprint analysis, or other trace evidence analysis
  • Scientific curiosity and a keen interest in human decomposition, taphonomy or post-mortem processes
  • Laboratory skills, including various DNA analysis methods and other (bio)chemical techniques
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to liaise effectively with international partners.
  • Proficiency in English, with excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • A detail-oriented approach to data analysis, ensuring high-quality and scientifically accurate results.

 

Become our new PhD student

  • Applications are processed exclusively through the UMC website. Please upload your CV and motivation letter via the designated application page no later than 6 March 2026.

    Please note: do not use the “Apply” button on this page. Instead, use the link provided above to be directed to the correct UMC application page and submit your documents there.

  • Would you like to know more about the position before you apply? Annemieke van Dam, senior lecturer Forensic Research Group, can tell you all about it. Call or send a WhatsApp message via 06 – 43402322 or send an email to a.van.dam2@hva.nl. For more information about the application procedure, you can send an email to vacatures@hva.nl.
  • This vacancy has been published internally;
  • We apply the AUAS Job Application Code to this vacancy’s recruitment and selection process. No (recruitment) agencies please.

 

Creating tomorrow at the Faculty Technology

At the Faculty of Technology, students, teachers, researchers and external partners work intensively together on current issues in society. Consider challenges such as the climate, sustainability, housing shortage, transport and health.
 
Together with our partners, our education and research makes a substantial contribution to technical and technological solutions for social issues of today and the future. All our employees contribute to this from their own expertise and thus literally lay the foundation for the developments of tomorrow!

 

Talent as our foundation, diversity as our strength

No two of our more than 45,000 students and 4,500 employees are the same! Can you imagine how dynamic such a rich mix of personalities, backgrounds and perspectives is? This diversity is essential, because we believe it istrengthens us both as an employer and as a university of applied sciences serving the metropolitan region of Amsterdam. We aim for our staff to reflect the rich diversity that Amsterdam has to offer and to foster an environment where every employee and every student feels welcome, valued, and at home.  Whoever you are: you are welcome here!

Solliciteer nu »