Phd student in Archaeology or Environmental Archaeology - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

The Faculty of Arts at Umeå University develops the Humanities and invests in future Areas of Excellence. The Faculty particularly advances research within Digital Humanities and Global Challenges.

The Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies invites applications for the doctoral training program in Archaeology or Environmental Archaeology

The Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies conducts teaching and research in Archaeology, Environmental Archaeology, Philosophy, History, History and Education, History of Science and Ideas, Religious Studies and Theology, and Science, Technology and Environment.0

Research Environment
The department is interested in developing research questions with a northern focus, including circumpolar archaeology, environmental change and human interactions with nature. Applications relating to the digital humanities and/or Global Societal Challenges are particularly welcome. We also welcome applications with an emphasis on understanding the relationships between people, environments and environmental change during the Holocene, where both cultural and environmental perspectives are considered, or where the use where digital technology is applied in the research. Potential research directions include archaeoentomology/palaeoentomology, geoarchaeology (sediments and soils), NIR-spectroscopy/imaging, material analysis and experimental archaeology or spatial analyses of landscapes or human environments.

The successful candidate may choose to become part of the Environmental Archaeology research group (MAL). MAL is a well-established infrastructure with excellent laboratory facilities, which engages nationally and internationally in research and consultancy. The environmental archaeology group conducts research and development on, among other thing, new methods for the analysis of past environments and human activities. It is also involved in the development of digital research infrastructures (e-infrastructures), including the national research infrastructure SEAD and the Swedish Lifewatch Consortium. Within archaeology, there are currently three active researchers/lecturers and three active Phd-students.

Qualifications

General requirements
To be admitted to studies at the third-cycle level, the applicant must meet both general and specific eligibility requirements. General requirements: a Master’s or equivalent degree in a relevant field, having completed course requirements worth at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or in some other way – either in Sweden or abroad – having acquired equivalent knowledge.

Specific requirements
In order to meet the specific eligibility requirements for admission to studies in archaeology at third-cycle level, the applicant must have completed at least 30 credits in archaeology at second-cycle level, with an independent project worth at least 15 credits. Students who have acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, either within Sweden or abroad, may be admitted for third-cycle studies after assessment.

Applicants should have an interest in archaeology as well as knowledge and experience of using computer based or statistical analysis tools, preferably in relation to the analysis or reconstruction of past or contemporary environments. Relevant experience from archaeology, biology, ecology, Quaternary science, geography, palaeoecology or similar fields is welcome. Experience of the use or development of databases and GIS is also welcome, as is experience of lab-work and statistical evaluations. We recommend that applicants wishing to undertake fieldwork provide documented experience of relevant previous experience.

See General Syllabus.

Assessment criteria
Applicants are ranked with reference to their capacity to benefit from and complete the program. The assessment is based primarily on prior study results, with particular consideration given to essays, and the quality of the research plan and its relevance for the subject area. The assessment is also based on references and interviews, and possibly additional evaluations of the main candidates.

Terms of employment
PhD students will mainly devote themselves to their own education at third-cycle level. Employment as a PhD student will be for the time deemed necessary for the completion of research studies at a normal rate of study, which corresponds to a full-time position for four years. An initial contract of 12 months is extended with up to two years at a time provided that the individual study plan is followed. A PhD student may to a limited extent also work with teaching and administration up to a maximum of 20 percent of full-time. The period of employment may thus be extended up to a maximum of five years. The entry level salary is 26 500 SEK and rises in three steps to 31 000 SEK.

Additional information
PhD students are affiliated with the Faculty of Arts Doctoral College, coordinated with the PhD training program at the relevant department. The PhD studies begin at the start of the autumn semester, 3 September 2018. The place of work is Umeå University. The PhD students are expected to actively contribute to the research environment.

According to The Higher Education Ordinance, chapter 12 §2, a decision of appointment for a PhD student position may not be appealed.

Application
An application should contain:

• A transcript from the Ladok student registry, and/or equivalent attested copies of your academic transcripts proving that general and specific requirements are met
• Curriculum vitae, including name and contact information of two reference persons
• Copies of relevant BA and MA theses and other relevant publications
• Research plan – must not exceed 30 000 characters including spaces – that contains: purpose and research problem, previous research, implementation: that is, method, material and theory, relevance and time plan
• A letter that states your motivation for undertaking research training leading to a PhD, and that specifies what expertise at the Department is needed for carrying out your research. Indicate if you intend to align your project with the profile area The Digital Humanities and/or Global Challenges.

Your application must be registered in Umeå University’s e-recruitment system no later than 9 March 2018.

We look forward to receiving your application!