The French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD in Prehistory and Statistical Network Analysis at the Histoire Naturelle des Humanités Préhistoriques (HNHP) laboratory in Paris, France. This 36-month doctoral position begins on 1 November 2026. The research combines prehistoric archaeology, statistical analysis, and machine learning to investigate cultural transmission through Palaeolithic portable art.
Working within the ComE research team at the Musée de l’Homme, the successful doctoral researcher will investigate symbolic behaviour and social interactions among Magdalenian communities during the Upper Palaeolithic. The project combines archaeological interpretation with mathematical modelling to examine how artistic traditions spread across prehistoric cultural landscapes.
Furthermore, the research will apply statistical network analysis and machine learning methods to quantify similarities within a large corpus of portable art. These approaches will support the reconstruction of cultural relationships while contributing to methodological developments in prehistoric archaeology and computational research.
In collaboration with the Institut de Mathématiques de Bourgogne, the doctoral researcher will analyse extensive archaeological datasets and develop innovative analytical tools for prehistoric art research. The resulting datasets will be deposited in recognised archaeological repositories, while the developed algorithms will be shared through open scientific platforms to encourage future interdisciplinary research.
Programme Overview
The doctoral position offers an opportunity to combine archaeological research with quantitative analytical methods within an internationally recognised research environment.
- Position: PhD / Doctoral Researcher
- Institution: CNRS, France
- Department: Histoire Naturelle des Humanités Préhistoriques (HNHP, UMR 7194)
- Research Group: ComE Research Team
- Supervisor: Not specified in the official advertisement
- Location: Paris, France
- Duration: 36-month doctoral contract
- Start Date: 1 November 2026
- Funding: €2,300 gross monthly salary under a CNRS doctoral contract
- Working Hours: Full-time
- Required Degree / Diploma: Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline
Research Focus
This PhD in Prehistory at CNRS focuses on the following research areas:
- Prehistory and Palaeolithic archaeology
- Statistical network analysis and quantitative research methods
- Machine learning for archaeological data analysis
- Techno-stylistic analysis of Palaeolithic portable art
- Symbolic behaviour and cultural transmission in prehistoric societies
- Cultural heritage studies and prehistoric art research
Eligibility and Qualifications
Applicants should demonstrate strong academic preparation and an interest in interdisciplinary research combining prehistoric archaeology, quantitative analysis, and computational methods.
Minimum Requirements
- Master’s degree or equivalent in Archaeology, Prehistory, History, Anthropology, Environmental Science, or a closely related discipline
- One to four years of relevant research experience
- Basic knowledge of French
- Ability to undertake independent doctoral research
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Interest in statistical and computational approaches to archaeological research
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with archaeological or cultural heritage datasets
- Knowledge of quantitative analysis or statistical methods
- Interest in machine learning and network analysis
- Ability to work within an interdisciplinary research environment
- Good scientific writing and communication skills
Key Responsibilities
The successful researcher in the PhD in Prehistory at CNRS will undertake the following responsibilities:
- Conduct techno-stylistic analysis of Magdalenian portable art.
- Analyse archaeological datasets using statistical network analysis.
- Apply machine learning methods to identify similarities between figurative representations.
- Collaborate with researchers at the Institut de Mathématiques de Bourgogne to develop mathematical approaches for archaeological interpretation.
- Develop new analytical tools supporting prehistoric art research and cultural transmission studies.
- Deposit research datasets in recognised open archaeological repositories and publish developed algorithmic code through GitHub.
Employment Benefits
In addition to a fully funded doctoral contract, CNRS provides several employment benefits to support researchers throughout their studies.
- Salary: €2,300 gross per month
- Annual Leave: 44 days
- Contract Type: Fixed-term doctoral contract (36 months)
- Transport Support: Reimbursement of 75% of public transport costs
- Sustainable Mobility Allowance: Up to €300
- Work Location: Musée de l’Homme, Paris, France
Application Process
Applications must be submitted through the official CNRS recruitment portal before the published deadline. Candidates should carefully complete the online application and ensure that all required information is provided before submitting their application.
Applicants should prepare the documents requested through the CNRS application portal, which may include:
- Completed online application
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Supporting documents requested by CNRS
Why This Opportunity Matters
This PhD offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of:
- Prehistoric archaeology
- Statistical network analysis
- Machine learning
- Cultural heritage research
The project combines archaeological investigation with advanced quantitative methods to examine cultural transmission during the Upper Palaeolithic. Working within the HNHP laboratory and the ComE research team, the successful candidate will collaborate with specialists in archaeology and mathematics while contributing to innovative analytical approaches, open scientific resources, and internationally relevant research.
Important Dates
- Applications Open: 3 July 2026
- Application Deadline: 23 July 2026 (23:59 UTC)
- Interview Period: Not specified
- Expected Start Date: 1 November 2026
Apply through the official CNRS recruitment portal before the closing deadline to be considered for this fully funded doctoral opportunity. Applications close on 23 July 2026 at 23:59. Early submission is recommended to allow sufficient time for completing the online application process.
Related Academic Opportunities
- Archaeology Research Positions
- Prehistory Research Jobs
- Palaeolithic Archaeology Jobs
- Funded PhD Opportunities
- Research Careers in France
Institutional Overview
The French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) is France’s leading public research organisation and one of the world’s largest institutions dedicated to fundamental scientific research. Operating across every major scientific discipline, CNRS supports interdisciplinary collaboration that addresses complex global research challenges. The Histoire Naturelle des Humanités Préhistoriques (HNHP) laboratory investigates the biological and behavioural evolution of hominins through archaeological, environmental, and chronological research. Based at the Musée de l’Homme in Paris, the laboratory provides an internationally recognised research environment where archaeology, anthropology, mathematics, and computational methods are combined to advance understanding of prehistoric societies.
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