PhD in Archaeobotany

University of Helsinki; Helsinki; Presencial; EUR 30.000 - 32.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

The University of Helsinki invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher in Archaeobotany for a fixed-term, 36‑month position within the NeoPlant project. The successful candidate will conduct an independent PhD with archaeobotanical plant macroremain analysis, contributing to understanding Neolithic plant use and subsistence strategies in Finland, within an international research team.

The appointment comes with access to dedicated archaeobotanical labs and collections; starting date 1 January

Formación

• Master’s degree in archaeology or a related field.
• Strong interest in prehistoric plant use and farming transition.
• Ability to undertake doctoral research within 36 months.
• Good written and spoken English.
• Willingness to work independently and in a interdisciplinary team.

Responsabilidades

• Conduct doctoral research within the NeoPlant themes.
• Analyse archaeobotanical plant macroremains.
• Participate in archaeological sampling and sample processing.
• Publish results in international peer‑reviewed journals.
• Present research at national and international conferences.
• Collaborate with the NeoPlant research group.
• Complete a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki.

Conocimientos

English proficiency

Independent work

Team collaboration

Archaeobotany exp

Fieldwork experience

Lab techniques

GIS knowledge

Palaeoecology interest

Educación

Master’s degree in archaeology or related field

Descripción del empleo

Doctoral Researcher –Archaeobotany

The University of Helsinki invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher in Archaeobotany for a fixed-term position of 36 months in the Research Council of Finland-funded project NeoPlant: “Neolithic Plant Use, Cultivation and Cultural Roles of Plants in Finland, ca. 3000-1500 BCE”. The position is based at the Faculty of Arts & Cultures at the Department of Archeology, University of Helsinki in Finland, and the successful candidate will join the research group led by Dr. MiaLempiäinen‑Avci. NeoPlant investigates one of the major transformations in human history: the transition from hunting and gathering to food production and farming. The project focuses on Neolithic Finland, where hunting, fishing and gathering continued to play an important role while new practices related to cultivation, animal husbandry and food production gradually emerged. The project examines how plants were used during this transition and what archaeobotanical evidence can reveal about changing subsistence strategies, environments and everyday life. Particular attention is paid to exceptionally well‑preserved archaeological contexts, including wetland sites, which provide new possibilities for studying plant use in prehistoric northern Europe.

NeoPlant combines archaeobotanical analysis of plant macroremains with archaeological and natural‑scientific approaches, including radiocarbon dating, stable isotope analyses and ancient DNA. The project aims to develop a more detailed understanding of when, how and under what circumstances cultivation became part of human subsistence strategies in Finland.

The Doctoral Researcher will conduct an independent PhD project within the broader research framework of NeoPlant. The precise research questions and focus of the doctoral dissertation will be developed together with the Principal Investigator, taking into account the successful candidate’s expertise and research interests. The doctoral project is expected to have archaeobotanical plant macroremain analysis as its primary methodological approach.

• Conduct doctoral research within the themes of the NeoPlant project
• Analyse and identify archaeological plant macroremains
• Participate in archaeological sampling and sample processing
• Manage and analyse archaeobotanical and archaeological datasets
• Integrate archaeobotanical results with other archaeological and natural‑scientific evidence
• Publish research results in international peer‑reviewed journals
• Present research at national and international conferences
• Participate in the activities, meetings and collaborative work of the NeoPlant research group
• Complete a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki

Training in specialised archaeobotanical methods will be provided where necessary.

The successful candidate is expected to have:

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in archaeology, archaeobotany, palaeoecology, biology, environmental archaeology or another relevant discipline
• A strong interest in prehistoric plant use and the transition from hunting and gathering to farming
• The ability and motivation to undertake doctoral research and complete a PhD within the project period
• Good written and spoken English
• The ability to work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary research team
• Previous experience in archaeobotanical analysis, particularly the identification of plant macroremains, is considered an advantage but is not an absolute requirement
• Experience in archaeological fieldwork, laboratory work, microscopy, quantitative methods, GIS, palaeoecological methods or other relevant natural‑scientific approaches is also considered an asset
• Knowledge of Finnish or Swedish is not required

The researcher will have access to archaeobotanical laboratory facilities and comparative botanical collections required for the identification of plant macroremains. The project values a collaborative research culture in which team members contribute to the development of research questions, methods and interpretations across disciplinary boundaries.

The position is full‑time and fixed‑term for 36 months. The employment will follow the terms and salary system of the University of Helsinki, being between 2700-2900 euros per month. The position includes a 6 month trial period in accordance with the University of Helsinki regulations. The preferred starting date is 1.1.2027, or as agreed.

For further information about the position(s) and the NeoPlant project, please contact: Dr. MiaLempiäinen‑AvciPrincipal Investigator, NeoPlantFaculty of Humanities, Department of Cultures ArchaeologyUniversity of Helsinki [e-mail]