PhD in Digital Archaeology & AI at LMU Munich, Germany

About the Program

The Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich) invites applications for a fully funded PhD position in Linked Open Data (LOD) and AI for Archaeological Knowledge Representation. Offered by the Institute for Digital Cultural Heritage Studies (IDCHS), this three-year program is part of the Horizon 2020 EXCALIBUR project, which uses advanced AI technologies to transform cultural heritage research across Europe. Starting in October 2025, the position focuses on developing semantic ontologies and knowledge graphs to digitally model archaeological data, especially burial contexts and ritual practices. This unique opportunity allows the student to work with cutting-edge digital methods, collaborate with an international consortium, and contribute to the future of digital archaeology and cultural heritage.

Program Details

Position: Fully funded PhD Position / Doctoral Researcher
Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich)
Department/Faculty: Institute for Digital Cultural Heritage Studies (IDCHS)
Supervisor: Prof. Nicola Lercari and EXCALIBUR consortium team
Location: Munich, Germany
Start Date (Anticipated): 1 October 2025
Duration: 3 years
Funding: TV-L E13 position at 65%, fully funded
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
Required Degree/Diploma: Master’s degree (completed by 1 October 2025) in Computer Science, Digital Humanities, Digital Heritage, Statistics, Data Science, or a related field

Research Focus/Area

Linked Open Data (LOD) and semantic web technologies
AI applications and large language models in cultural heritage
Digital knowledge representation and modelling of archaeological data
Ontology development (CIDOC CRM, CRMarchaeo)
Knowledge graphs for burial practices and ritual contexts

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

Master’s degree in a relevant field completed by 1 October 2025
Strong written and spoken English skills
Proven interest in semantic web, knowledge representation, and digital archaeology
Proficiency in programming (preferably Python)
Experience with RDF, OWL, SPARQL, and ontology development tools

Preferred Qualifications:

Background in digital archaeology or material culture modelling
Familiarity with LOD vocabularies and standards (e.g., CIDOC-CRM, EDM)
Interest in using AI and large language models (LLMs) for cultural heritage research
Experience working with multimodal datasets and digitisation workflows

Key Features of the Program

Develop and implement AI-driven enrichment tools for cultural heritage data
Work on a high-impact EU-funded project alongside renowned European institutions
Gain hands-on experience with innovative digital archaeology methods
International, collaborative research environment with opportunities for conference presentations and publications
Flexible working hours and strong institutional support for relocation to Munich
No teaching obligations in the first two years (optional in year three)

Application Process

How to Apply:

Submit your application as a single PDF file (up to 15 MB) via email to: jobs-research@dkes.fak12.lmu.de

Required Documents:

Cover letter
Curriculum vitae
Research statement or PhD thesis exposé (max. 3 pages) outlining your motivation and proposed research direction
Names and contact details of three academic references
Proof of academic degrees (e.g., diplomas, transcripts)
One writing sample or relevant document (e.g., thesis excerpt, published article)