Postdoctoral Researcher in Archaeology – Copenhagen

About the Position

The University of Copenhagen (UCPH) invites applications for a 26-month full-time Postdoctoral position in Archaeology, focusing on the project From Catastrophe to Culture: Understanding Epidemics in Ancient Mesopotamia, funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark. Based at the Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies, Faculty of Humanities, this role begins on 1 February 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter). Supervised by Associate Professor Troels Pank Arbøll, the postdoctoral researcher will study epidemics in ancient Mesopotamia (modern Iraq and Syria) between the 3rd and 1st millennia BCE, using archaeological and textual sources. This interdisciplinary project aims to understand how ancient societies responded to disease and disaster, offering an exceptional opportunity to work within a vibrant and inclusive academic environment alongside specialists in Assyriology, archaeology, and cultural history.

Position/Job Details

Position: Postdoctoral Researcher in Archaeology
Institution: University of Copenhagen
Department: Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies, Faculty of Humanities
Research Field: Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology, Assyriology, Historical Epidemiology
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Number of Posts: 1
Job Type: Full-time, Fixed-Term (26 months)
Start Date (Anticipated): 1 February 2026
Working Hours: Full-time (37 hours per week)
Salary Range: DKK 39,237.41/month (~EUR 5,250) + 18.07% pension contribution
Required Degree: PhD

Research Area

Archaeology of ancient Mesopotamia
Cuneiform and archaeological integration
Population and settlement studies
Database development (SQL)
Ancient epidemics and socio-political impacts

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

PhD (completed or near completion) in Near or Middle Eastern Archaeology or a related field
Expertise in ancient Mesopotamian archaeology and analysis of excavation reports
Experience with SQL databases and data management
Proven record of independent research and academic publication

Preferred Qualifications:

Familiarity with Assyriology or historical epidemiology
Experience with interdisciplinary collaboration
Motivation to engage in teaching, supervision, and research dissemination

Key Responsibilities

Collate and analyse data from published excavation reports related to Mesopotamian sites (3rd–1st millennium BCE)
Assess population estimates, settlement patterns, and evidence of demographic change after epidemics
Build and manage a SQL database integrating archaeological and textual data
Participate actively in weekly research meetings, workshops, and collaborative publications
Engage in outreach, teaching (up to 20% of working hours), and academic supervision

Application Process

How to Apply:
Submit your application in English through the University of Copenhagen’s online recruitment portal by clicking “Apply now” on the official job page.

Required Documents: