HUM-PIPFERC-Funded PhD position on (Re)Constructing the Archaeology of Mobile Pastoralism (CAMP) Bringing the site level into long-term pastoral narratives

We invite applications for a fully funded full-time Ph.D. position in the context of an ERC Consolidator Grant () project led by Stefano Biagetti titled: (Re)Constructing the Archaeology of Mobile Pastoralism (CAMP) - Bringing the site level into long-term pastoral narratives. The student will be enrolled at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona Spain) and will receive a Ph.D. degree in History.

The successful candidate will be based at the Department of Humanities at Universitat Pompeu Fabra which hosts Stefano Biagettis ERC-funded project. The Ph.D. will be carried out within the Culture and Socio-Ecological Dynamics research group (CASEs) of which Stefano Biagetti is a member. CASEs approaches the study of the human past by developing research beyond disciplinary boundaries and combining perspectives from archaeology and the natural sciences. The doctoral student will be integrated into the research group and exposed to a lively international and productive research environment.

The CAMP project aims to develop innovative methodologies for the study of ancient pastoralism through a geo-ethnoarchaeological approach focused on pastoral sites and the analysis of multiple proxies from purposely collected soil samples.

The successful applicant will focus on applying testing and further developing the methodologies developed within the CAMP project in archaeological historical and contemporary agro-pastoral sites located in dryland regions of Latin America. The project will involve field-based and laboratory research with a strong emphasis on landscape analysis geoarchaeology and spatial approaches to long-term human-environment interactions.

The successful candidate will participate in fieldwork campaigns and will learn and apply advanced geospatial and geoarchaeological methods for the analysis of agro-pastoral landscapes in drylands.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

Participate in geoarchaeological and landscape archaeological fieldwork in remote dryland areas requiring a high capacity for adaptation;

Apply and further develop methodologies related to the CAMP project;

Learn and apply advanced geospatial and geoarchaeological methods;

Undertake spatial and landscape analysis under supervision;

Complete a successful PhD thesis at the end of the contract period;

Attend the seminars and conferences organized within the framework of the ERC project;

Publish in high-impact journals;

Present their research in relevant academic conferences.

Approximately 19000 gross per year.

The contract will have a minimum duration of 1 year and a maximum of 4 years on a full-time basis.

Department of Humanities

• To be admitted to or enrolled in the PhD Programme in Humanities at the time the contract begins.

• Not to have been dismissed from the service of any public administration by means of disciplinary proceedings nor to be disqualified by a final judgment from exercising public the case of foreign nationals not to be disqualified or in an equivalent situation nor to have been subjected to a disciplinary sanction or equivalent that prevents in their State access to public employment under the same terms.

• These requirements must be met on the final day of the application deadline.

• Candidates must be able to provide proof of meeting these requirements at any time during the selection process and they must continue to meet them on the date the contract is signed.

• The merits alleged will always be taken into account in relation to the final day of the application deadline.

A Masters degree (or equivalent) in one of the following fields: Archaeology Geoarchaeology Earth Sciences or related disciplines;

Demonstrable experience with GIS landscape archaeology and geoarchaeology;

Experience developing an independent research project including at Masters level related to agro-pastoralism landscape studies drylands or related topics;

Excellent oral and written English.

We especially encourage women and minority candidates to apply. Experience in ethnoarchaeology agro-pastoral studies or research in Latin America will be considered an advantage.

The PhD bursary is governed by a pre-doctoral employment contract for research staff at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra. Funding for the position is currently guaranteed for the first two years of the PhD with the possibility of extension subject to the availability of additional funding. The contract is full-time with a gross annual value of approximately 19000.

The successful candidate will also have access to funding for conference participation during the PhD.

A good command of English is mandatory. While knowledge of Spanish and Catalan is not a requirement the successful candidate will be encouraged to acquire at least minimal competence in one of these languages to participate in locally organized events.

The successful candidate will have a working space at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in the Mercè Rodoreda building Campus de la Ciutadella in a shared office with other members of the group.

Approximate starting date: October 1 2026.

The contract will have a minimum duration of 1 year and a maximum of 4 years on a full-time basis.

The Selection will consist of an evaluation of the merits of each candidate

The evaluation of the applications will be based on the following criteria (out of a total of 25 points):

• Demonstrable experience in geoarchaeological and landscape archaeological research (15);
• Experience with GIS and spatial analysis (15);
• Experience developing independent research projects related to agro-pastoralism drylands or related topics (15);
• Participation in international projects and/or relevant scientific publications (15);
• Excellent command of English (15).

The minimum score for passing the selection process is 20 points.

The operation of the selection committees will comply with the Regulations on the remote functioning of sessions of collegiate bodies at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Governing Council Agreement of December 9 2020) and sessions must always be held synchronously. For matters not covered by these regulations Law 26/2010 of August 3 on the legal regime and procedure of the public administrations of Catalonia will apply without prejudice to the basic rules established in Article 17 of Law 40/2015 of October 1 on the Legal Regime of the Public Sector.

In sessions where candidates must participate the physical presence of the candidates and at least the secretary of the Committee will be the event that a candidate proves residence outside Catalonia or justified circumstances prevent their physical presence they may request remote participation from the secretary of the Committee. The secretary may grant this request provided that it does not affect equal opportunities among candidates in the performance of the tests and the assessments to be made by the Committee.

The Selection Committee will consist of:

• CHAIR: Stefano Biagetti

• MEMBER: Abel Ruiz-Giralt

• SECRETARY: Carla Lancelotti

The selection committee if it deems it appropriate may invite candidates to an interview or contact their referees to clarify aspects of their CV that may assist in a better evaluation.

Humanities Management and Administration Unit (Unitat de Gestió i Administració dHumanitats).

The deadline for submitting applications is 5 calendar days starting from the day after the publication of the call on the Universitat Pompeu Fabra website: must submit:

• A photocopy of their ID card / Passport / NIE (Foreigner Identity Number).

• A copy of their academic degree.

• An academic curriculum vitae.

• A motivation letter or statement of interest.

• An academic transcript of records for the Masters degree (or equivalent).

• The names and addresses of two academic referees.

In the event that copies are provided the presentation of the corresponding original documents may be required at any time.

Applications to take part in this call must be addressed to the Rector of Universitat Pompeu Fabra (carrer de la MercèBarcelona).

Applications must be submitted through the Interfolio Platform at the URL address that will be made public on the Universitat Pompeu Fabra website when the call is published.

All administrative acts of this selection procedure will be published on the Universitat Pompeu Fabra website: This publication will serve as official notification in accordance with Article 45.1.b) of Law 39/2015 of October 1 on the Common Administrative Procedure of Public Administrations.

Once the call is made public the approximate dates for the publication of the resolution approving the provisional list of admitted and excluded candidates will be published on the same website. Following the publication of the resolution approving the provisional list of admitted and excluded candidates an appeals period of 2 calendar days will open starting the day after the publication date of the said resolution.

The publication of the resolution approving the provisional list of admitted and excluded candidates will indicate the date on which the list of admitted and excluded candidates will become final.

Against the final resolution of admitted and excluded candidates which exhausts administrative remedies a claim may be filed before the labor courts (jutjats socials) of Barcelona within two months from the day after the publication of this resolution on the Universitat Pompeu Fabra website. Alternatively interested parties may file an administrative appeal for reversal (recurs de reposició) before the issuing body within one month from the day after its publication.

The approximate dates for the publication of the award proposal by the Selection Committee and the final award resolution by the Vice-Rector for Teaching and Research Staff will also be made public on this same website.

Following the publication of the award proposal by the Selection Committee an appeals period of 2 calendar days will open starting the day after the publication date of the said award proposal.

The selection process will conclude with the award resolution issued by the Vice-Rector for Teaching and Research Staff.

Against the award resolution a claim may be filed before the labor courts (jutjats socials) of Barcelona within two months from the day after the publication of this resolution on the Universitat Pompeu Fabra website. Alternatively interested parties may file an administrative appeal for reversal (recurs de reposició) before the issuing body within one month from the day after its publication.

In the case of non-EU nationals the formalization of the contract will be subject to obtaining the corresponding residence and work authorization.

Participation in this selection process implies acceptance of the terms and conditions for the processing of personal data detailed at: information

For academic inquiries about the project and the position please do not hesitate to contact Stefano Biagetti (). For practical information regarding the position and the application process please contact Yolanda Pueyo Bayona ().