The Faculty of Archaeology is looking for a:

PhD candidate (1.0 FTE)
Vacancy number 22-262

in the context of the research program Embodied Inequality: Transforming Archaeological Knowledge of State Formation, Social Disparity, and Health Inequality.

Project description
The project is financed in the context of the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO) Talent Scheme (VIDI). The project will investigate health inequality as it relates to socioeconomic status and state formation, in ancient Kush (ca. 2500-1500 BCE), located in what is today Sudan. Using multi-disciplinary methods, the project aims to assess how health inequality was embodied in the human skeleton. Health inequality will be assessed: (1) through time, (2) according to settlement type, (3) as it relates to vulnerable groups, and (4) and social status via the mortuary context. Analysis of inequality will consider regional, community, and individual experiences of inequality.

The PhD candidate and PI will work closely together, excavating, visiting museums, engaging in outreach, etc. The PhD candidate is expected to contribute not only to the Embodied Inequality project, but also the Laboratory for Human Osteoarchaeology, and the Department of Archaeological Sciences.

Key responsibilities
• Perform key osteoarchaeological analyses, including estimation of sex and age-at death as well as paleopathological assessment;
• Excavate in a hot, dry, and sometimes challenging environment (Sudan);
• Publish academic papers and present at academic conferences;
• Actively participate in outreach, in the Netherlands, in Sudan, and on social media;
• Participate in training students osteological excavation techniques within the context of fieldschools;
• Communicating closely and effectively with the team members;
• Assist with teaching and student supervision;
• Complete a PhD thesis within four years (1.0 FTE).

Selection criteria
• Research Master, MSc or MA in Archaeology, preferably in Bioarchaeology, Osteoarchaeology, Archaeological Science, or similar, high marks required;
• Previous fieldwork experience;
• Pre-existing knowledge and extensive experience with the osteological estimation of sex, age-at-death, and paleopathological assessment, with additional experience outside of a graduate programme;
• Excellent command of the English language coupled with excellent communication skills;
• Dutch language skills to assist with undergraduate teaching;
• Well-developed research skills;
• Excellent social skills in order to be able to work in a team environment.

Terms and Conditions
We offer a PhD position for 4 years (1.0 FTE) with a target starting date of August 1, 2022. Initially the employee will receive a one-year contract, with extension for the following 36 months on condition of a positive evaluation. The appointment must lead to the completion of a PhD thesis. Salary range from € 2,443.- to € 3,122.- gross per month (pay scale P, 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. 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. All our PhD students are embedded in the Leiden University Graduate School of Science.

Our organisation
The future of the past begins in Leiden. The Faculty of Archaeology is internationally leading in its research, and is home to a broad array of specializations and notable for the strong connection it fosters 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. More information on the Faculty of Archaeology can be found here.