The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and teaching core courses in archaeological computer science at the Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University. These courses, which are lecture and laboratory based, range from basic methods and tools such as GIS, databases and statistics on the undergraduate level to advanced computational methods such as simulation modelling and machine learning on the graduate level. The successful candidate will also be encouraged to incorporate their own area of specialization into these courses – research-led teaching is a goal. S/he will contribute to the supervision of theses within the BA, MSc, RMSc and PhD programmes.

In addition to teaching, the successful candidate is required to establish an active research programme in archaeological computer science in close collaboration with Leiden University’s new Artificial Intelligence research center SAILS (Social science, humanities, law, Artificial Intelligence, Life Science), leading to joint peer-reviewed publications. S/he will build bridges between artifical intelligence and archaeology within interfaculty research programmes such as SAILS, Liveable Planet and Resilient Societies in which the Faculty of Archaeology operates as one of the lead partners. The candidate will be expected to acquire external funding and to disseminate research results to the wider academic audience and the public.

The candidate should be a team player with a collaborative, supportive and problem-solving attitude who is able to fit into and work in a multidisciplinary team. Finally, s/he will be expected to contribute to the running of the faculty by participating in administrative tasks, commensurate with experience and level of appointment.

• The department is seeking candidates who demonstrate excellence in teaching and research, and who are at home in both archaeology and computer science;
• More specifically, we seek candidates with the following qualifications:
• A PhD in archaeology and substantial formal education/training in computer science/artificial intelligence;
• OR: a PhD in computer science/artificial intelligence and substantial formal education/training in archaeology;
• Two to four years of postdoctoral research experience in archaeological computer science;
• A demonstrable broad knowledge of computer programming, spatial modelling and analysis, and statistics;
• Clear understanding of, and ideally experience in the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to archaeological research problems. Potential fields of interest include, but are not limited to: remote sensing image analysis, data/text mining, big data analysis, simulation modelling, social network analysis, machine learning;
• Proven affinity with some of the core themes of the faculty’s research programme, e.g. The Human Niche;
• Ability to prepare grant proposals for relevant funding schemes (e.g., ERC, Horizon Europe, NWO);
• An excellent publication record demonstrating an active interest in the development of advanced quantitative and computational tools to solve archaeological problems;
• Experience in teaching archaeological computer science, ideally combined with a familiarity with innovative teaching methods (e.g., SPOCs);
• Excellent command of English. If the applicant does not speak Dutch, s/he will be expected to acquire a good command of Dutch for practical matters within two years from taking up duty.

Leiden University requires teaching staff to obtain the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ). If the successful applicant does not already possess this qualification or its equivalent, s/he must be willing to obtain it within two years.

We offer a 0.8-1.0 FTE position for a six-year term. The possibility of renewal will be discussed after an evaluation in the fifth year on the basis of result agreements made at the start of the appointment. Salary range from € 3637 to € 4978 gross per month (based on 1.0 FTE; scale 11 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities). Salary scale depends on education, experience and level of appointment.

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year (8.3 %) bonuses, training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our Individual Choices Model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. More at http://www.workingat.leiden.edu/. The position is available as of 1st of November, 2019.

The future of the past begins in Leiden. The Faculty of Archaeology is internationally leading for its research, home to a broad array of specializations and notable for its strong connection between teaching and research. Home to over 500 students in the multidisciplinary world of archaeology, the faculty and its researchers from all areas of the archaeological field determine the future of archaeological research.