PhD Position in Department of Archaeological Sciences at Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

About Position/Job

The Faculty of Archaeology at Leiden University invites applications for a PhD position investigating the identification of foods and food processing in dental calculus. This project contributes to understanding dietary behaviours and food technologies during early human migrations, particularly through the innovative NWO-VICI funded project “Hominin FoodWays,” led by Prof. Dr A.G. Henry. The role is vital to expanding the Faculty’s research on human evolution and diet across changing climates, using interdisciplinary approaches at the forefront of archaeological science.

Position/Job Details

Position: PhD Candidate: Identification of Foods and Food Processing in Dental Calculus
Institution: Leiden University
Department: Department of Archaeological Sciences
Research Field: Archaeology, Human Evolution, Palaeoanthropology
Location: Leiden, The Netherlands
Number of Posts: 1
Job Type: Full-time, 4-year PhD position
Start Date (Anticipated): September 2025 (negotiable, but before December 2025)
Working Hours: 38 hours per week
Salary Range: €2770 – €3539 gross per month (P scale, Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities)
Required Degree/Diploma: Master’s

Research Area

Food residue analysis in dental calculus
Early hominin diets and food processing
Experimental archaeology
Ancient biomolecules (proteins, DNA, mass spectrometry)
Habitat reconstruction and palaeoenvironmental studies

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

Completed Master’s degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a related field by time of appointment
Strong laboratory skills with availability for long-term experiments
Excellent command of English
Organisational, time-management, and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

Background in Palaeoanthropology or Human Evolution
Experience with interdisciplinary research methods
Driver’s licence and willingness to travel for fieldwork
Knowledge of an additional European language (excluding French and German)

Key Responsibilities

Design and conduct experiments embedding food residues into lab-grown dental calculus
Assist in analysing mass spectrometry, protein, and DNA data
Contribute to documenting potential foods and reconstructing ancient habitats
Publish peer-reviewed journal articles leading to the PhD degree
Actively participate in departmental activities, meetings, and PhD training courses

Application Process

How to Apply:

Apply directly through Leiden University’s application portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the closing date.

Required Documents:

Motivation letter (max 1 page)
Curriculum vitae (including publication list)
Names and contact details of two referees (reference letters not required at application stage)