W 1-Professorship (with tenure track to W 2) in prehistoric and protohistoric archaeology with a focus on archaeoclimatology

W 1-Professorship (with tenure track to W 2) in prehistoric and protohistoric archaeology with a focus on archaeoclimatology

for an initial period of 4 years (first phase) to start at the earliest possible date.

The future job holder shall be responsible for the fields of prehistoric and protohistoric archaeology – with a focus on archaeoclimatology – in research and teaching.

Archaeoclimatology is a focus integrated into archaeological research in which the reconstruction of local to global climate changes is correlated with socio-cultural reconstructions of prehistoric and historic societies. Central to this approach are the connectivities between climatic, ecological, social and cultural aspects of past environments and societies.

The future junior professor is expected to develop and pursue independent, internationally recognised research in the field of palaeoclimatology with connections to archaeology. In this context, an integrative research agenda is fundamental in order to reconstruct archaeoclimatic connections.

The junior professor should further expand archaeoclimatic research at the Institute of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Archaeology – both thematically and methodologically – as outlined in a convincing research concept. Existing collaborations in palaeoclimatology within the Institute of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Archaeology and its research groups are to be continued. Moreover, the professor is also integrated into the Cluster of Excellence ROOTS as well as the priority research area Societal, Environmental and Cultural Change (SECC) of Kiel University. The professorship also involves teaching duties (in accordance with the current LLVO teaching regulations) as part of the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in the fields of prehistoric and historic archaeology in Kiel, for which a suitable teaching concept must be submitted with the application. Non-German-speaking applicants are advised that – within the interim evaluation – courses must also be held in German.

Requirements for appointment include knowledge and research experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Climate reconstruction incorporating archaeological research questions, preferably related to the Holocene,
• Palaeoclimatological methods, including knowledge of biomarker analysis,
• Investigation of the interrelationships between climate dynamics, environmental changes and socio-economic developments,
• Integrative analysis of palaeoclimatic and archaeological proxies for the reconstruction of past environments and societies.

A further requirement for appointment is the submission of a compelling research concept aligned with the call for applications.

As additional prerequisites, experience in successfully securing independent external funding and in conducting independent fieldwork are highly desirable. Moreover, experience in international collaboration and working within large-scale interdisciplinary collaborative projects, in supervising students and/or early-career researchers, and in teaching are also advantageous.

Applicants must hold a university degree and a PhD in geosciences, general climate sciences, archaeological sciences or closely related fields, as well as demonstrate publications addressing archaeological and climatic issues.

Please refer to the recruitment requirements of § 64 in conjunction with § 62a of the Higher Education Act of the State of Schleswig-Holstein. After successful evaluation of the first phase of the junior professorship it is the aim to extend the temporary civil servant status for another period of two years (second phase).

After successful evaluation and if the additional requirements of § 62a of the Higher Education Act of the State of Schleswig-Holstein are met, the aim is to upgrade the professorship to a W 2-Professorship without a fixed term. In addition to the evaluation of the junior professorship, a separate evaluation procedure is carried out at Kiel University, usually during the second phase of the junior professorship, in accordance with the current statutes.

More information can be found on the website www.berufungen.uni-kiel.de.

Kiel University sees itself as a modern and cosmopolitan employer. We welcome your application regardless of your age, gender, cultural and social background, religion, ideology, disability, or sexual identity. We promote gender equality. You can find out more about our values in our Code of Conduct: https://www.uni-kiel.de/gf-praesidium/de/recht/interne-richtlinien/code-of-conduct

Kiel University is committed to the employment of people with disabilities: Applications from severely disabled persons and persons of equal status will be given preferential consideration if they have the equivalent qualifications.

We expressly welcome applications from people with a migration background.

The university is committed to increasing the proportion of female scientists in research and teaching and therefore strongly encourages suitably qualified women to apply. Women will be given priority if they have the same aptitude, qualifications, and professional performance.

Please note that we expressly do not require application photographs and therefore ask that you refrain from submitting any.

Applications with the usual supporting documents – a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, a list of courses taught, a research and a teaching concept (each with a maximum of 3 pages to be used for assessing academic and pedagogical suitability), and copies of academic certificates – should be submitted by 15.11.2026 (preferably in electronic form as a single PDF document) with both your private address and your business address with telephone number and e-mail address.

Please send your application to the Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Regina Scherließ, Kiel University, Olshausenstr. 40, 24098 Kiel (bewerbung@mnf.uni-kiel.de).