The French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Cognitive Archaeology of Palaeolithic Objects. The position is based at UMR 5199 PACEA (From Prehistory to the Present: Culture, Environment and Anthropology) in Pessac, near Bordeaux, France. It is a 13-month fixed-term research contract starting on 1 December 2026, with a gross monthly salary of €3,041 to €4,216, depending on experience.
The researcher will join the ERC Synergy QUANTA project, which explores how humans developed cognitive tools for producing, storing and transmitting quantitative information. The work focuses on European and African Palaeolithic objects made from stone or hard animal material, particularly objects carrying a series of intentional marks that may have been used for counting, memorisation or notation.
The postdoctoral researcher will examine these objects using technological, traceological, morphometric, spatial and experimental methods. The work also involves imaging and comparative ethnographic research, with access to specialist equipment through PACEA and the QUANTA network. The researcher will work with project partners in Bordeaux, Bergen, Leipzig and Zurich and contribute to research publications, conferences and collection studies.
CNRS is looking for a researcher with a PhD in prehistory, archaeology, palaeoanthropology or a closely related field and relevant experience in the study of archaeological objects. Candidates should be able to develop analytical protocols, produce quantitative data and test functional hypotheses, with proficiency in R or Python. Experience in microscopy, morphometrics, experimental archaeology, database analysis or archaeological image processing would be an advantage.
Position Details
- Position: Postdoctoral Researcher in Cognitive Archaeology of Palaeolithic Objects
- Official Reference Number: UMR5199-FRADER-015
- Institution: CNRS, France
- Department/Research Unit: UMR 5199 PACEA – From Prehistory to the Present: Culture, Environment and Anthropology
- Research Discipline(s): Cognitive Archaeology, Palaeolithic Archaeology, Prehistory, Palaeoanthropology
- Location: Pessac, Gironde, France
- Job Type: Researcher on Fixed-Term Contract (Postdoctoral)
- Contract Duration: 13 months
- Start Date: December 2026
- Working Hours: Not specified in the official vacancy
- Salary: €3,041–€4,216 gross per month, depending on experience
- Required Qualification: PhD in prehistory, archaeology, palaeoanthropology or a closely related discipline
Research Areas
- Palaeolithic archaeology
- Cognitive archaeology
- Prehistory
- Archaeological technology and traceology
- Morphometric and spatial analysis
- Experimental archaeology
- Notation and quantitative cognition
- Comparative ethnography
- Archaeological imaging and surface analysis
Eligibility/Qualifications
Required qualifications and skills include:
- A PhD in prehistory, archaeology, palaeoanthropology or a closely related discipline.
- Experience in the technological or functional study of archaeological objects, ideally involving hard animal material and/or lithic material.
- Ability to design analytical protocols and produce reproducible research data.
- Ability to develop and test functional hypotheses.
- Experience in acquiring and quantitatively analysing morphological or surface data.
- Good proficiency in at least one statistical analysis environment, preferably R or Python.
- Ability to work with heterogeneous archaeological corpora and integrate multiple data sources.
- Excellent written and oral scientific English.
- Ability to work independently within an international and interdisciplinary research team.
Experience in traceological or taphonomic surface analysis, confocal or multifocus microscopy, profilometry, geometric morphometrics, spatial analysis, experimental archaeology, engraved objects, notation systems, database analysis, comparative ethnography, eHRAF World Cultures, ImageJ/Fiji or MountainsMap would be an advantage.
Salary and Benefits
The salary is €3,041 to €4,216 gross per month, depending on experience.
The official vacancy also states that the position includes:
- 44 days of annual leave and RTT.
- Teleworking arrangements and compensation.
- 75% coverage of transport costs.
- Sustainable mobility allowance of up to €300.
- Research missions in France and abroad may be required.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for the following main activities:
- Build and document a reasoned corpus of Palaeolithic objects bearing a series of marks.
- Conduct technological, traceological, morphometric and spatial analyses of objects made from hard animal material and stone.
- Design and conduct experiments reproducing observed marking techniques and sequences.
- Develop or adapt quantitative protocols for analysing the morphology, chronology and organisation of marks.
- Produce, manage and analyse imaging data using methods including macro photography, multifocus microscopy and confocal microscopy.
- Integrate archaeological, experimental and ethnographic findings into comparative databases and contribute to research publications and international conferences.
Application Process
Candidates should apply through the official CNRS Job Portal and submit their application before the stated deadline. The vacancy reference is UMR5199-FRADER-015.
For the complete list of required application documents, supporting materials and other submission details, candidates should visit the official CNRS job page and carefully review the application requirements provided for this position.
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: 5 October 2026, 11:59 PM
- Expected Start Date: 1 December 2026
Eligible candidates should visit the official CNRS Job Portal for the complete application procedure and current vacancy information.
Related Academic Opportunities
- Palaeolithic archaeology positions
- Academic jobs in France
- Postdoctoral research positions
- Archaeology academic opportunities
- Palaeoanthropology research positions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the position title?
The position is Postdoctoral Researcher in Cognitive Archaeology of Palaeolithic Objects.
Where is the postdoctoral position based?
The position is based at UMR 5199 PACEA in Pessac, Gironde, France, with the vacancy also describing the research environment as being based in the Bordeaux area.
What is the contract duration?
The appointment is a fixed-term researcher contract lasting 13 months.
What qualification is required?
Applicants must hold a PhD in prehistory, archaeology, palaeoanthropology or a closely related discipline.
What is the salary for the position?
The gross monthly salary is between €3,041 and €4,216, depending on experience.
When is the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted by 5 October 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Institutional Overview
The French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) is France’s national public research organisation, supporting research across a wide range of scientific and academic disciplines through a network of laboratories and research units. UMR 5199 PACEA (From Prehistory to the Present: Culture, Environment and Anthropology) is a joint research unit of the CNRS, Université de Bordeaux and the French Ministry of Culture, based in the Bordeaux area. PACEA brings together researchers from archaeology, biological anthropology, palaeoanthropology, geosciences and cognitive sciences, with research covering human evolution, past societies, material culture and interactions between people and their environments.
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