Doctoral Researcher Position in “Influence of Human Population Dynamics, Subsistence Requirements, and Land Use on Biodiversity in the Holocene“

The Cluster of Excellence ROOTS (Social, Environmental, and Cultural Connectivity in Past Societies) at Kiel University explores the deep history of tightly intertwined social and environmental processes, in order to explain their long-term developments and to understand how they resonate into the present (https://www.uni-kiel.de/en/cluster-roots). ROOTS combines expertise from a wide array of disciplines ranging from archaeology to other natural sciences, life sciences, and humanities, creating a unique bridge between different scientific cultures.

The ROOTS experts are organized into six subclusters (Hazards, Dietary, Knowledge, Urban, Inequalities, Conflict), three supportive research platforms (Technical Platform, Data Management and Data Science Platform, Outreach and Dissemination Platform), as well as diverse central units (ROOTS Academy, Reflective Turn Forum, Methods Nucleus) to collectively pursue a research agenda targeting key parameters of socio-environmental connectivity related to (1) human subsistence and biodiversity; (2) inequality and conflict; (3) technology and environmental impact; (4) boundaries and well-being.

ROOTS will be housed in the ARCWorlds research building, which is currently being established at Kiel University, in a few years’ time. It will offer highend infrastructure to realize innovative interdisciplinary research.

For its 2nd phase, ROOTS is offering a doctoral researcher position “Influence of Human Population Dynamics, Subsistence Requirements, and Land Use on Biodiversity in the Holocene“ (Subproject B1) starting 1^st July 2026.

Profile: Palynology, archaeozoology, archaeobotany, geoarchaeology, stable-isotope analysis, environmental archaeology

Since the onset of agriculture and animal husbandry around 10,000 years ago, biodiversity has undergone profound transformations. Palaeoenvironmental records reveal that land clearance, grazing and cultivation replaced diverse natural habitats with anthropogenic landscapes, leading to declines in wild flora and fauna while fostering domesticated taxa. Early agro-pastoral mosaics sometimes enhanced local diversity, however long-term trajectories show progressive homogenization and loss of genetic and ecological variability. The envisaged study shall investigate the reciprocal human–environment relationship by empirically assessing and quantifying early human impacts on biodiversity in a diachronic perspective, using data from both, natural and anthropic archives, and evaluate existing model simulations and scientific narratives on biodiversity loss. These studies will be conducted in part by the position holder themselves and supported by the respective ROOTS working groups. The topic lends itself to close collaboration with archaeologists working in quantitative fields, including joint fieldwork.

Required qualification: The candidate has an excellent MA or MSc in archaeology with a focus on bio/environmental archaeology, biology, geosciences, environmental sciences or related fields. Initial experience with quantitative archaeobotanical, archaeozoological, geoarchaeological, or paleoclimatological methods is required, as well as a demonstrable interest in human-environment relationships and their interactions in the Holocene.

This position (subproject B1) is part of a joint call for 9 doctoral and 5 postdoctoral positions within the Cluster of Excellence ROOTS.

The application deadline for all positions is December 15, 2025.

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