The Post-Doctoral Researcher in Classical and Mediterranean Archaeology  will work on a research project entitled ‘Late Republican Rome and the affordances of foreign objects’ in the framework of the NWO VICI project Innovating Objects. The impact of global connections and the formation of the Roman Empire (ca. 200-30 BC).

Roman conquests of parts of Sicily (211 BC), Greece (168 and 146 BC) and North Africa (146 BC) led to significant intensification of Mediterranean connectivity. Through the conquest of large parts of the Hellenistic East in the first century BC, moreover, a direct Roman involvement with the early ‘Silk Roads’ trade networks was established. The result was an unprecedented influx of new objects, leading to major new practices and configurations. The circulation, appropriation, collection and display of non-local (cultural) artefacts shaped Roman society and the city of Rome to a significant degree. This new object-scape would dramatically change Republican lifestyle throughout all domains of society. Objects and styles from Greece, from Egypt and Africa and from Asia have been shown to be most prominent in this respect.

This subproject of the VICI program Innovating Objects deals with the following questions: How did late Republican Rome deal with the massive influx of foreign objects? How did it handle the ‘agency’ of these artefacts coming from abroad? Subsequently, the research will investigate to what extent those foreign objects changed or even ‘made-up’ Roman society.

Together with the PI, the Post-doc will select several specific material culture repertoires and investigate what kind of impact these had, and why. The city of Rome itself, where we will collaborate  with the Royal Netherlands Institute (KNIR), is the main focus. Provenance studies as carried out by other subprojects of the VICI program should be integrated with these investigations. The expected output consists of several peer-reviewed articles in international journals.

• Dissertation on a topic relevant to this post-doctoral research project;
• Familiarity with the archaeology and history of late Republican Rome and Italy as part of a wider Hellenistic koine;
• Familiarity with the main theoretical foci of the project: material culture studies and Globalization studies;
• A strong academic network in Italy and internationally;
• A perfect control of both spoken and written English;
• The candidate is expected to be present in Leiden on a frequent basis;
• The candidate is expected to play a pro-active role within the project team;
• The candidate is expected, if necessary, to assist the PI with teaching and research.

Fixed-term contract: 28 months.

The position preferably starts on 1 April 2019. We offer a fixed-term contract of 28 months. (April 1 2019 – July 31 2021). Salary range from €3,637 to €4,978 gross per month (pay scale 11 , in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. More at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions.  

Diversity
Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.

Universiteit Leiden

Leiden is a typical university city, hosting the oldest university in the Netherlands (1575). The University permeates the local surroundings; University premises are scattered throughout the city, and the students who live and study in Leiden give the city its relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere.

Leiden University is one of Europe's foremost research universities. This prominent position gives our graduates a leading edge in applying for academic posts and for functions outside academia. More at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at.

https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/werken-bij

Faculty of Archaeology

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. See also https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/archaeology/world-archaeology.

https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/archaeology