Doctoral Fellowships in “Human-reindeer Interactions in Contemporary and Ancient Siberian Communities“ 2019, University of Kiel, Germany

Publish Date: Aug 19, 2019

Deadline: Sep 20, 2019

The new Cluster ROOTS – Social, Environmental, and Cultural Connectivity in Past Societies in the frame of the German Excellence Initiative explores social, environmental, and cultural processes that have substantially shaped past human development (and which are still active today). Research is organized in six research units (i.e. subclusters) covering six foci: (1) Environmental hazards and impacts; (2) Dietary intake and disease; (3) Knowledge production, technology, and innovation; (4) Population agglomeration and urbanisation; (5) Social differentiation and inequalities; and (6) Conflict and conciliation. The ROOTS ‘Reflective Turn’ will enable cross-disciplinary dialogue and enquiries within and between research foci, providing an overarching theoretical frame.
 
Research Associates and PhD students participate in the ROOTS Young Academy. The ROOTS Young Academy brings together young experts from an array of disciplines, which support ROOTS research with innovative research ideas. The Young Academy provides young researchers with excellent conditions for a successful career and personal development.

We invite applications for the
PhD Position “Human-reindeer interactions in contemporary and ancient Siberian communities”
to begin as early as possible.


Profile: Cultural Anthropology, Zooarchaeology, Archaeology
Reindeer are intensively herded as a means of subsistence and symbolic identity in many circumpolar societies, but, unique for husbanded animals, lack clear expressions of the ‘domestication syndrome’. Taiga reindeer herding strategies can be seen as domestication-in-practice; they probably impact more strongly on reindeer behavior and biology than the large-scale herding practices in the North Eurasian tundra. Evolutionary changes to the phenotype and the genome of reindeer as well as health-related impacts through such taiga human-animal cohabitation systems are still poorly understood and require more empirical research. The successful candidate will contribute to this field, investigating the evolution of human-reindeer interactions and the emergence of reindeer herding as a means of food production, transport and ideological expression in the Western Siberia taiga through combined ethno-archaeological and zooarchaeological scientific approaches guided by a rigorous theoretical framework grounded in cultural anthropology.
 
Required qualifications: We are seeking a highly qualified and motivated doctoral fellow to conduct high-quality interdisciplinary research within the frame of ROOTS. Eligible candidates must hold an outstanding university degree (MA, MSc or equivalent) in Pre- and Protohistoric Archaeology and/or Cultural Anthropology and, preferably, a strong background Zooarchaeology and biomolecular analytical methods. We expect strong English writing and communication skills and the ability to work in a team. A working knowledge of the Russian language is a necessary precondition for the proposed study, if not present at the time of the application, this skill must be acquired during the initial phase of the doctoral position.
 
This position is part of Subcluster 2: Dietary Roots. There are opportunities for close collaboration with other researchers within ROOTS involved in investigating hunter-gather and (agro)pastoralist lifeways and social dynamics, including joint fieldwork. The graduate program is jointly offered by academics of the Humanities, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and Life Sciences. The Doctoral candidate will be hosted by the ROOTS Young Academy and will be affiliated with the Johanna Mestorf Academy at Kiel University (www.jma.uni-kiel.de). Innovative research ideas are supported by the extensive infrastructure of the Graduate Centre at Kiel University. The position holder will be eligible to apply for research funds. Supervision will be provided at an interfaculty level by supervisors from two different disciplines. Salary will be at 65% (currently 25,16 h/week) of level TV-L 13 of the federal wage agreement scheme (Tarifvertrag der Länder). The term is fixed for a period of 3,5 years (42 months).
 
Kiel University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to increasing the proportion of female scientists in research and teaching, and strongly encourages female applicants. Women will be given preference in case of equal suitability, competence, and professional performance. The University is also committed to the employment of disabled person, and such individuals will be accorded preference if suitable.
Applications by people with a migration background are particularly welcome.

For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.


This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:

http://www.cluster-roots.uni-kiel.de/en/open-positions

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Disciplines

Culture

Environmental Studies

Humanities

Social Sciences

Study Levels

PhD

Opportunity Types

Fellowships

Eligible Countries

International

Host Countries

Germany