University College Cork (UCC), Ireland, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Palaeoecology in the Department of Archaeology and the Radical Humanities Laboratory. The successful candidate will join the DeepCattle project, which explores the history of commercial cattle farming in Europe and its effects on rural societies, landscapes and biodiversity. This is a three-year, full-time fixed-term position involving fieldwork in Ireland, Scotland and Sweden. The researcher will also conduct palynological analysis at UCC and sedimentary ancient DNA research with the Centre for Palaeogenetics at Stockholm University.
Position Details
- Job Title: Postdoctoral Researcher in Palaeoecology
- Institution: University College Cork (UCC)
- Department: Department of Archaeology and the Radical Humanities Laboratory
- Research Project: DeepCattle – The Deep History of Commercial Cattle Farming in Europe
- Job Reference: 099813
- Location: Cork, Ireland, with fieldwork in Ireland, Scotland and Sweden
- Job Type: Postdoctoral Research
- Contract: 36-month fixed-term appointment
- Working Hours: Full-time
- Salary: €47,273–€53,925 per annum, subject to public sector pay policy.
- Research Areas: Palaeoecology, palynology, environmental history, archaeology, sedimentary ancient DNA and biodiversity
- Application Deadline: 20 November 2026, before 12 noon Irish local time
About the Position
The successful candidate will join DeepCattle: The Deep History of Commercial Cattle Farming in Europe, a five-year research project funded by a European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant.
The project examines how commercial cattle farming developed and expanded across Europe, focusing on the relationship between livestock production, rural economies, trade and urban growth. It also investigates the environmental consequences of increasingly commercial beef and dairy production, including changes to rural landscapes, societies and biodiversity.
DeepCattle brings together historical and archaeological research with palaeoecological techniques, particularly palynology and sedimentary ancient DNA analysis. The project is led by Professor Eugene Costello at University College Cork, with collaboration from Dr Benjamin Gearey at UCC and Dr Peter Heintzman at the Centre for Palaeogenetics, Stockholm University.
This appointment offers an opportunity to contribute to research into the long-term environmental footprint of cattle farming since the Middle Ages. The researcher will work across fieldwork, laboratory analysis and interdisciplinary interpretation, connecting environmental evidence with historical and archaeological records.
Research Areas
- Palaeoecology
- Palynology and pollen analysis
- Environmental archaeology
- Environmental history
- Historical ecology
- Sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA)
- Archaeology and landscape change
- Biodiversity and human–environment interactions
- The history of cattle farming and rural economies
Eligibility and Qualifications
Applicants should have:
- Expertise in palaeoecology, including palynology.
- An interest in integrating palaeoecological data with historical and archaeological evidence.
- Motivation to develop skills in sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) analysis.
Key Responsibilities
The Postdoctoral Researcher will:
- Assist with lake and peatland coring in Ireland, Scotland and Sweden.
- Conduct palynological analysis of sediment cores at University College Cork.
- Undertake sedimentary ancient DNA analysis on selected cores in collaboration with the Centre for Palaeogenetics at Stockholm University.
- Contribute palaeoecological evidence to investigations of the environmental history of commercial cattle farming.
- Integrate palaeoecological findings with historical and archaeological evidence.
- Collaborate with the DeepCattle research team and its institutional partners.
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: Friday, 20 November 2026
- Closing Time: Before 12 noon, Irish local time
- Contract Duration: 36 months
Late applications will not be accepted. Interviews will initially be conducted either online through Microsoft Teams or in person. Candidates interviewed online may also be required to attend an in-person interview, as appropriate.
Application Process
Submit your application online through the University College Cork recruitment portal.
For questions about the online application process, email hrresearchqueries@ucc.ie and quote the job title. For confidential enquiries about the position, contact Professor Eugene Costello at ecostello@ucc.ie.
Review the official candidate brief and applicant guides for the full selection criteria, required documents and application instructions.
Related Opportunities
- Postdoctoral Research Jobs
- Archaeology Jobs
- Palaeosciences Jobs
- Geosciences Jobs
- Research Jobs in Ireland
Discover archaeology conferences, research congresses and academic events scheduled for 2027 on HigherJobz to connect with research communities and explore opportunities for academic collaboration.
