Post-Doctoral Researcher in Archaeology

About Position/Job

Leiden University’s Faculty of Archaeology is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join its cutting-edge Inequal Cyprus project, funded by the European Research Council (ERC). This exciting role focuses on exchange networks and social inequalities in late prehistoric Cyprus, spanning from 4000 to 1700 BCE. By analysing the composition and origins of exchanged objects and exploring their cultural contexts, the researcher will help uncover how social inequalities developed and were negotiated in everyday life and ritual settings. Working in close collaboration with a dynamic international team, this position offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to a pioneering interdisciplinary project at one of Europe’s leading archaeological research institutions.

Position/Job Details

Position: Postdoctoral Researcher: Exchange Networks and Social Inequalities in Late Prehistoric Cyprus (0.8 fte)
Institution: Leiden University
Department: Faculty of Archaeology, Department of World Archaeology
Research field: Archaeology
Location: Leiden, Netherlands
Number of post: 1
Job Type: Part-time, Postdoctoral (0.8 FTE), fixed-term (36 months)
Start Date (Anticipated): November 2025 (later start possible)
Working Hours: 30.4 hours per week (0.8 fte)
Salary Range: €3,378 – €5,331 gross per month (full-time scale 10)
Required Degree/Diploma: PhD

Research area

Exchange networks in late prehistoric Cyprus (4000–1700 BCE)
Social inequalities in Chalcolithic, Early and Middle Bronze Age Cyprus
Ceramic petrography, pXRF, XRF/MC-ICP-MS analyses
Consumption practices and contextual object use
Archaeological science and spatial data analysis

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

PhD in Archaeology completed by appointment start date
Strong motivation for innovative, interdisciplinary research
Ability to travel and conduct fieldwork internationally

Preferred Qualifications:

Expertise in prehistoric Cyprus, ceramic petrography, and Greek
Excellent time-management and organisational skills
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Key Responsibilities

Conduct pioneering research on exchange and consumption in prehistoric Cyprus
Collaborate with team members and contribute to overall project aims
Participate in fieldwork and act as an ambassador for the project
Carry out museum research and materials analysis in Cyprus, the Netherlands, and beyond
Integrate archaeological and spatial datasets
Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences
Engage actively in faculty and departmental discussions on research innovation