Postdoctoral Researcher Position in “Conflict Archaeology”

Kiel University - The Cluster of Excellence ROOTS

Location:Kiel - GermanySalary:Not SpecifiedHours:Full TimeContract Type:Fixed-Term/ContractPlaced On:4th November 2025Closes:15th December 2025

The Cluster of Excellence ROOTS (Social, Environmental, and Cultural Connectivity in Past Societies) at Kiel University in Germany explores the deep history of tightly intertwined social and environmental processes, in order to explain their long-term developments and to understand how they resonate into the present (https://www.uni-kiel.de/en/cluster-roots). ROOTS combines expertise from a wide array of disciplines ranging from archaeology to other natural sciences, life sciences, and humanities, creating a unique bridge between different scientific cultures.

The ROOTS experts are organized into six subclusters (Hazards, Dietary, Knowledge, Urban, Inequalities, Conflict), three supportive research platforms (Technical Platform, Data Management and Data Science Platform, Outreach and Dissemination Platform), as well as diverse central units (ROOTS Academy, Reflective Turn Forum, Methods Nucleus) to collectively pursue a research agenda targeting key parameters of socio-environmental connectivity related to (1) human subsistence and biodiversity; (2) inequality and conflict; (3) technology and environmental impact; (4) boundaries and well-being

ROOTS will be housed in the ARCWorlds research building, which is currently being established at Kiel University, in a few years’ time. It will offer high-end infrastructure to realize innovative interdisciplinary research.

For its 2nd phase, ROOTS is offering a Postdoctoral Researcher Position in “Conflict Archaeology”(Subproject A4) starting 1st July 2026.

Profile: Archaeology

The research will focus on settlement patterns and interaction networks at local, regional, and supra-regional scales, within the framework of archaeological conflict research and its theoretical development in an interdisciplinary context. The project’s core will examine institutions, organizations, and practices of conflict management, viewing largescale exchange systems, settlement patterns, borders, and religious or cultic practices as potential deescalation strategies with possible side effects. Special attention will be given to the presence or absence, frequency, workload, and function of fortifications in certain regions. The candidate will assist subcluster spokespersons in subcluster management, research data management, conduct independent research, and prepare third-party funding proposals.

Required qualification: Eligible candidates must hold an outstanding PhD in Pre- and Protohistoric Archaeology and demonstrate strong teamwork skills. Experience in joint projects and a PhD focus on the first Millennium BC are highly desirable. Additional assets include expertise in conflict archaeology, collaborative and reproducible methods, qualitative and quantitative settlement pattern analysis, archaeological modelling (especially of interaction systems), Metal Age sanctuaries and sacrificial sites, and research data management.

This position (subproject A4) is part of a joint call for 9 doctoral and 5 postdoctoral positions within the Cluster of Excellence ROOTS.

The application deadline for all positions is December 15, 2025.

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