Doctoral Researcher in Geoarchaeology

European Geosciences Union (EGU); Heidelberg; Vor Ort; EUR 42.000 - 45.000; Teilzeit

Zusammenfassung

Heidelberg University, Department of Geography, Physical Geography Division, invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher / PhD Student (f/m/d). The position is 75% (TV-L 13) for up to three years, with start date anticipated November 1, 2026.

Tasks include geomorphology, fieldwork, geophysical prospection, lab analyses, data interpretation and dissemination in international venues. The role offers partial remote work possibilities within an interdisciplinary team and a strong emphasis on

Qualifikationen

• Excellent Master’s degree in Geography with a geosciences focus.
• Strong interest in research at the intersection of Earth Sciences, Archaeology and Prehistory.
• Fieldwork experience in geoscientific/archeological projects.
• Basic GIS knowledge (ArcGIS and/or QGIS).
• Very good English; German knowledge or willingness to learn.

Aufgaben

• Geomorphological mapping using remote sensing and field verification.
• Geophysical prospection (ERT), sediment sampling, drilling, test pits.
• Laboratory analyses (grain size, geochemistry, density, porosity).
• Data analysis, presenting results, and publishing in scientific literature.

Kenntnisse

English language

Fieldwork experience

Communication skills

Independent work

Ausbildung

Master

Tools

ArcGIS

QGIS

Jobbeschreibung

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Position

Doctoral Researcher in Geoarchaeology

Employer

Heidelberg University

Heidelberg University is a comprehensive university with a pronounced research orientation and international outlook. With approx. 32,200 students and 9,540 staff members, including numerous top-ranking researchers, it is a renowned institution worldwide and is also of outstanding economic significance for the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region.

Heidelberg University stands for equal opportunity and diversity. It is firmly committed to gender equality and work-life balance. It is working diligently on boosting the percentage of women in its workforce in areas where they have thus far been underrepresented. Heidelberg University is a certified family-friendly employer.

Homepage: https://www.geog.uni-heidelberg.de/en

Location

Heidelberg, Germany

Sector

Academic

Relevant divisions

• Climate: Past, Present & Future (CL)
• Geomorphology (GM)
• Stratigraphy, Sedimentology and Palaeontology (SSP)

Type

Part time

Level

Student / Graduate / Internship

Salary

42000 - 45000 € / Year, Gross salary based on state collective agreement TV-L 13 (75 %)

Required education

Master

Application deadline

2 October 2026

Posted

7 September 2026

Job Description

Internet – 40329

Intranet – 259/2026

Interamt – 1488346

Arbeitsagentur – 10001-1003652108-S

04.09.26 - AS

At Heidelberg University, Department of Geography, Physical Geography Division, the following position is to be filled:

Research Associate / PhD Student (f/m/d)

Pay Group 13 TV-L, 75 %

The position is limited to 3 years.

Desired start date is November 1, 2026.

Tasks

Research within the project "Testing the Al-Hajar Refugium Hypothesis (TARGYT) – Karst depressions in the northern Oman Mountains as environmental and archeological archives", funded under the bilateral WEAVE program by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Czech Science Foundation (GACR). The TARGYT project investigates the role of the central Al-Hajar Mountains in Oman as a potential refuge for prehistoric cultures during dry climate phases by examining sediment-filled karst depressions as geo-bio-archives in combination with prehistoric artifacts. The tasks associated with the position advertised here include geomorphological mapping using remote sensing methods and verification through fieldwork. Fieldwork comprises geophysical prospection (ERT), sediment sampling to determine soil physical parameters, drilling, and the establishment of test pits for pedostratigraphic documentation and sampling. Additional tasks include sedimentological (grain size distribution), geochemical (XRF, ICP-OES, C/N), and soil physical (density, pore volume, water conductivity) analyses in the laboratory, multivariate statistical evaluation of the data, supporting luminescence dating, presenting results at conferences, and publishing in international scientific literature.

Requirements For Employment

• Excellent Master’s degree in Geography (with a focus on Physical Geography), Geoarchaeology, Geology/Earth Sciences, Prehistory and Early History (with a geoscientific component), Environmental Sciences, Geoecology, or another related discipline
• Strong interest in scientific research at the intersection of Earth Sciences, Archaeology, and Prehistory
• Fieldwork experience in geoscientific and/or archeological research projects
• Basic knowledge of GIS (ArcGIS and/or QGIS)
• Very good English language skills, both written and spoken
• Basic knowledge of the German language or the willingness to acquire it for the purpose of knowledge transfer
• Openness, creativity, and the ability to work independently
• Communication skills and teamwork ability, also in an international and intercultural context

Ideally, You Have

• Experience in one or more of the methodological approaches mentioned in the task description
• Experience in organizing geoscientific/archaeological fieldwork
• Experience in laboratory work

We Offer You

• Participation in an exciting and well-connected research project
• Opportunities to gain first-hand research experience
• Collaborative work in an interdisciplinary team that values equal opportunities
• Extensive opportunities for scientific collaboration within the faculty (e. g., geosciences) as well as beyond (e. g., prehistoric and early history, environmental physics)
• Training programs
• Opportunities for partial remote work and flexible working hoursAccess to heiDOCS, the integral quality program supporting doctoral candidates and early postdocs at Heidelberg University

Contact

For any questions, please contact: Dr. Max Engel: [e-mail]

Heidelberg University stands for equal opportunities and diversity. Persons with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are equally qualified. Information on job advertisements and the collection of personal data is available at www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/job-market.