Vacant job

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked among the world's leading universities. We have approximately 46,000 students and 8,500 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our strive to understand, explain, and improve our world and the conditions of people.

The Department of Archaeology and Ancient History is seeking a postdoctoral researcher for a fixed-term two-year position.

The position is linked to the project Climate Cooling from Volcanic Super-eruptions and European Epidemics during Preindustrial Times at the Division of Historical Osteology.

Research Project

The project investigates the relationship between abrupt climate cooling following large volcanic eruptions and outbreaks of infectious diseases, focusing on both ecological mechanisms and how human living conditions change through factors such as crop failure, malnutrition, migration, and overcrowding. By combining archaeological and historical data with modeling, plague, typhus, and cholera epidemics are analyzed. A new climate-driven human ecological model for disease spread will be developed and used in both case studies and global simulations. The goal is to provide new knowledge on how natural disasters, climate change, and epidemics are interconnected, with significance for both historical research and the understanding of climate-related health crises.

Tasks and Responsibilities

In this project, you will investigate how climate-related crises, deteriorating living conditions, and epidemics are reflected in preindustrial societies through bone material. Quantitative methods and modeling are important tools, but the focus lies on interpreting long-term societal changes from an archaeological and historical perspective. Your main task will be to analyze human osteological material from the Iron Age, as well as to select bone material for analysis.

The position is intended as an initial step in your career and as an opportunity for you to further deepen and broaden your research competence. The position also includes some pedagogical merit. Teaching, supervision, and other teaching-related tasks may occur within the scope of the employment, up to a maximum of one-fifth of working time.

What We Offer

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will have the opportunity to develop your independence as a researcher with the support of senior colleagues. The employment is fixed-term for 2 years and is full-time according to the Agreement on Fixed-Term Employment as a Postdoctoral Researcher. International employees are offered support with the move to Sweden. Through the International Citizen Hub Lund, you can access support and activities for any accompanying family members.

Lund University is a government agency, which means you receive special benefits, generous vacation time, and a favorable pension plan. The university applies individual salary setting. Read more about working at Lund University here: Work with us | Lund University (#).

Read more about the Department of Archaeology and Ancient History here: Department of Archaeology and Ancient History (#).

Ready to shape future research? Find more reasons why Lund University and the Faculty of Humanities and Theology are the right choice for you here (#), and learn more about what it is like to Work in Lund (#), Move to Lund (#), and Live in Lund (#).

Qualifications

For this position, a PhD in historical osteology, bioarchaeology, or another closely related field relevant to the project's focus is required. The degree should normally have been awarded no more than three years prior to the end of the application period, unless there are special circumstances. The applicant must have documented scientific proficiency and very good ability to express themselves orally and in writing in English.

The assessment will primarily be based on your scientific merits and potential as a researcher. Special emphasis will be placed on scientific ability within the subject area.

Requirements for the position are:

• A PhD or equivalent foreign degree in historical osteology, bioarchaeology, or another closely related field relevant to the project's focus.
• The PhD must be awarded no later than the time the employment decision is made, and you as an applicant must complete your application with documentation proving the awarded PhD before this time.
• Good ability to develop and conduct high-quality research.
• Pedagogical ability.
• You must not have previously been employed as a postdoctoral researcher under the current collective agreement for more than one year in the same or a closely related field at Lund University.
• Documented experience in conducting demographic research on archaeological/historical problem areas.
• Good ability to work in a structured and independent manner.
• Good teamwork skills.
• Very good ability to express yourself orally and in writing in English.

Merits for the position are:

• A PhD awarded no more than three years before the final application date. If there are special reasons such as illness, parental leave, union trust positions, service in the total defense, or service/assignments relevant to the subject area, this time may be deducted from the time elapsed since the PhD was awarded.
• Experience using scientific methods relevant to the research task, such as modeling 14C dates and using DNA to identify infectious diseases.
• Experience working in interdisciplinary projects.

Terms

The employment is fixed-term for 2 years and is full-time according to the Agreement on Fixed-Term Employment as a Postdoctoral Researcher.

How to Apply

The application should be written in English and include:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position and how it matches your qualifications.
• Copy of PhD diploma.
• Publication list (including DOI, ISBN, or ISSN numbers).
• PhD thesis.

In addition to the PhD thesis, it is possible to submit up to 5 publications.