UCD School of Archaeology and UCD School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy have just announced a call for tenders for the development of Historic Landscape Characterisation and GIS modelling of landscape change in the Boyne Valley.

Also announced is a 4 month, fixed term, research assistant position focusing on geomorphological research in the Boyne Valley.

Pdfs with more information can be downloaded here and here or simply click below to read more.

Modelling Boyne Valley landscape evolutionResearch Assistant Position

(4 month fixed-term)

UCD School of Archaeology and UCD School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy

A Research Assistant is sought for a four-month period to carry out geomorphological research in an on-going inter-disciplinary research programme on the geoarchaeology of the River Boyne catchment, Ireland. This research project is funded by the Heritage Council’s Irish National Strategic Archaeological Research Programme, and based jointly in UCD School of Archaeology & School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy (GPEP). The project is collaborative between UCD, Meath County Council, Department of Humanities at Dundalk Institute of Technology, the University of Southampton and tallamhireland Ltd., and is managed by Drs. Helen Lewis (UCD Archaeology) and Colman Gallagher (UCD GPEP).

The successful applicant for the advertised post will have demonstrated experience in geomorphology and sedimentology, morphological mapping and interpretation using remote sensing (aerial photography and LiDAR) and field survey.  He or she will have experience in the use of GIS and in the timely production of reports and/or articles.

The RA will develop models to better understand the environmental context in which the cultural landscape of the Boyne has developed by exploring key thematic areas as follows:

·         the glacial-interglacial (Holocene) transition,

·         the major periods of environmental stability and change in the Holocene,

·         the relationships between landscape evolution, Holocene climate and land-use change.

Tasks will involve identifying and characterising:

·         the geomorphology of the Boyne Valley,

·         the spatial distribution of sedimentary sources and sinks in the catchment,

·         the process environments of the drainage network,

·         the interactions amongst these elements.

The RA will be based at UCD in Dublin, and work for 4 months under the direction of the project leaders and team. Start date: August 1, 2009. Salary: €14,167 (33,907 annual equivalent inclusive of mandatory employee pension contribution of 5%).

Applicants should forward a full CV and covering letter BY EMAIL, outlining their suitability for the position to: Dr. Jonathan Turner, UCD School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy (jonathan.turner@ucd.ie). For more information contact Dr. Jonathan Turner (jonathan.turner@ucd.ie) or Dr. Colman Gallagher (colman.gallagher@ucd.ie).
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: JULY 10, 2009

Historic Landscape Characterisation and GIS Modelling of Boyne Valley landscape evolution

Call for tenders

UCD School of Archaeology and UCD School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy

 Tenders are sought to carry out a Historic Landscape Characterisation and GIS modelling of landscape change, to be developed from and integrated with extant GIS modelling of the River Boyne, focusing initially on County Meath. The project must be complete by November 30, 2009, at the latest, and the maximum amount for the tender is €14,200. Bids will be assessed for quality of design and applicants’ experience, and not primarily on a costing basis.

The project is part of a larger research project funded by the Heritage Council’s Irish National Strategic Archaeological Research Programme, based jointly in UCD School of Archaeology & UCD School of Geography, Planning & Environmental Policy (GPEP), in partnership with Meath County Council, Department of Humanities at Dundalk Institute of Technology, the University of Southampton and talamhireland Ltd.

 The tender must include an outline of methodology and deliverables with the following aims:

- Historic Landscape Characterisation of the Boyne in Co. Meath, including an inventory of landscape characterisation and an interpretative model of land use and landscape history, developed from and integrated with the GIS database developed by Phase I of the research project, which will be available for consultation

- GIS-based documentation of HLC, to go online as part of the Boyne Landscape Project GIS database (produced in MapInfo, available for consultation in advance)

- an interpretative report presenting the HLC, and modelling landscape changes and river history over the Quaternary

The larger project aims to produce an integrated, comprehensive landscape archaeological model of the evolution of the Boyne catchment, identifying and characterising past environmental and land use changes within the catchment, and correlating these with the known archaeological landscape. The available GIS includes SMR, WHS, environmental, remote sensing and survey data; certain land use data remains to be integrated as part of the landscape study inherent in this project.

Due to Heritage Council funding conditions, the project must be completed and delivered by November 30th, 2009, and may not run over budget. A brief interim report outlining progress will be due September 15th, 2009. We expect individuals/companies to provide the following information:

- a bid including a design for the HLC and methodology to be utilised, outlining detailed budget and timetable. Please note that the product should be a full interpretative model.

- cv(s) of bidder(s), including contact details of two relevant referees

- company information (if relevant)

- evidence of past use of GIS for interpretative modelling and of HLC experience

Individuals will be required to provide a PPS number, and companies to provide a Tax Clearance Certificate, for payment. All expenses (e.g. travel) must be included in the bid. Candidates may be asked to attend an interview.

Further details regarding the position are available from Stephen Davis (stephen.davis@ucd.ie), Loreto Guinan (lguinan@meathcoco.ie) or Helen Lewis (helen.lewis@ucd.ie).

Closing date for application is July 14, 2009.