Postdoctoral researcher in sedimentary DNA analysis of human-wildlife relationships

Postdoctoral researcher in sedimentary DNA analysis of human-wildlife relationships

The Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University, is looking for a postdoctoral researcher (4 years, 0.6 FTE) to join the ERC-funded project WILDERFARM and carry out cutting‑edge research on human‑wildlife relationships during the Mesolithic‑Neolithic transition using sedimentary DNA analysis, and to assist in WILDERFARM’s public outreach, data management, and other laboratory work.

The position is part of the ERC-funded Starting Grant project WILDERFARM – ‘Where the wild things were: how the rise of farming changed human‑wildlife relationships’. WILDERFARM explores the significant changes in human‑wildlife relationships that occurred with the rise of farming in western Europe between 6000 and 2000 BCE. Using an interdisciplinary combination of methods, WILDERFARM examines how early farmers renegotiated the age‑old relationship with wild animals and how the rise of farming and its activities, such as livestock grazing and crop husbandry, affected wildlife.

• WP1:
  Identifying how human exploitation of wild animals changed over time.
• WP2:
  Examining the overlap between farming activities and wildlife habitats.
• WP3:
  Controlling for whether human‑wildlife relationships were affected by environmental change.
• WP4:
  Clarifying the nature and timing of the Neolithic transition based on changes in the human‑wildlife relationship and evaluating how the archaeology of human‑wildlife relationships can contribute to conservation education in the present.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the sub‑project on seda

DNA, contributing to WP1‑3. The postdoc will also contribute to other aspects of WILDERFARM, including playing a pivotal role in public outreach (WP4) and coordination of laboratory work and data management.

• Collect samples for sedimentary DNA analyses from archaeological excavations from across the study region.
• Analyse seda
  
  DNA data and build hypotheses on animal populations and human activity, testing the use of seda
  
  DNA for reconstructing prehistoric human‑wildlife relationships.
• Assist in coordinating WILDERFARM’s other laboratory work and data management.
• Contribute to WILDERFARM’s public outreach and overall aims.
• Publish several articles in peer‑reviewed academic journals and present at (inter) national conferences, both independently and with team members.
• Work closely with other WILDERFARM team members and engage with the Faculty community through discussion meetings, journal clubs, and other events.

The successful candidate will join the Department of World Archaeology. Research will be supervised by Dr. Nathalie Brusgaard (PI), Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Archaeology. The postdoc will also work closely together with other members of the WILDERFARM project (two PhD students) and external collaborators.

• A PhD completed by the time of the appointment in palaeo/genomics, archaeology, ecology, or a related field, including demonstrable experience with DNA analysis.
• Demonstrable enthusiasm for archaeology and interdisciplinary research at the intersection of archaeology, ecology and conservation biology.
• A creative and open mind who enjoys challenging work in a supportive environment.
• Excellent organisational skills. Experience with organising lab work is an advantage.
• Demonstrable enthusiasm for public outreach.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Strong communication skills. Excellent command of English (command of Dutch is not required, but knowledge of one or more European languages is considered an advantage).
• Availability to travel both within and outside the Netherlands. Having a driver’s licence is considered an advantage.

The Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University, is internationally renowned for its research and teaching. For more information about the university and faculty, visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

The position offers:

• An employment contract for the duration of 4 years for 0.6 FTE, initially for a 1‑year trial period, followed by an extension of 3 years, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement…