Postdoctoral fellowship (fixed-term contract) in the research project Locally Crafted Empires (LoCiS)

The research project Locally Crafted Empires: Intersecting identities under Imperial rule in Western Asia as expressed in local portrait cultures (1st c. BCE-5th c. CE) (LoCiS) headed by Professor of Classical Archaeology and Art, Rubina Raja, at the School of Culture and Society, Faculty of Arts, Aarhus University (AU), is looking to recruit a full-time (37 hours/week) postdoctoral researcher. The postdoctoral researcher will be working on specific project tasks set out by the project director.

The position is for 2 years with the possibility of prolongation for another year. The position will commence on 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

About the project

The LoCiS project investigates the rich but understudied local portrait cultures of ancient Western Asia with the aim of determining how they reflect local and regional entanglements with and responses to different imperial hegemonies. LoCiS aims to reveal new knowledge about intersecting identities on an individual, local and regional level through a long durée perspective with a global historical outlook. The thousands of surviving portraits have not been studied comprehensively – neither diachronically nor in contexts or in cross-regional perspectives. LoCiS aims at offering unprecedented insights into the multilayered narratives of the varied individual experiences in antiquity.

The postdoc will work closely with Professor Rubina Raja and other project members. Tasks include work on the project database and catalogues, producing a monograph, co- and single-authored articles and contributions, organizing conferences, workshops and guest lectures, undertaking research travel. The postdoc will specifically undertake research on locally produced portraits from the region of West Asia from 100 BCE – 500 CE. The more narrowly defined region will be subject to definition together with the project director at the time of a potential interview for the position. Applicants should therefore specify in their application the region(s) within the study area where they believe their strongest competences lie.

We are looking for candidates who are specialised in Classical Archaeology with a focus on Greece and/or the eastern Roman provinces and/or Near Eastern archaeology in the period between 100 BCE – 500 CE and who have a solid research profile and demonstrates wide-ranging knowledge of the archaeology and history of West Asia – here defined that the region from and including Egypt to Anatolia and from the Tigris to the Mediterranean with a focus on visual culture.

Qualifications

Applicants must hold a PhD degree in Classical Archaeology or must document equal qualifications and be able to demonstrate expertise in ancient visual culture.

Applicants must also be able to document:

• Research and knowledge in archaeology on topics relevant to the outlined project.
• Relevant academic publications.
• The ability to work critically with archaeological and ancient historical sources.
• A methodological and structured approach to work.
• Good organisation skills and excellent attention to detail.
• Flexibility and the ability to prioritise.
• Excellent time-management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills.
• The ability to speak and write professional/academic English.
• The ability to read French, German and Italian.

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