The Cluster of Excellence ROOTS at Kiel University in Germany is offering nine doctoral and five postdoctoral researcher positions focused on the theme of 'Conflict Resolution - Boundaries and Communal Places as de-escalation Measures.' ROOTS investigates the deep history of social, environmental, and cultural connectivity in past societies, using interdisciplinary approaches that bridge archaeology, natural sciences, life sciences, and humanities. The cluster is organized into subclusters addressing hazards, dietary practices, knowledge, urban development, inequalities, and conflict, supported by technical and data science platforms. Successful candidates will join the ROOTS Academy and contribute to research on socio-environmental connectivity, human subsistence, inequality, conflict, technology, and well-being. Applicants must submit all documents in English (except for master’s theses and certificates, which may be in German), and include certificates of equivalence for foreign qualifications. The positions are fully funded, with salaries according to German public sector rates and no tuition fees. Applications should be sent as a single PDF to [email protected] by December 15, 2025. Interviews are expected to take place in Kiel at the end of February 2026. For further details, candidates are encouraged to consult the official ROOTS website and job advertisement PDF. The cluster offers a vibrant interdisciplinary research environment and high-end infrastructure in the ARCWorlds research building, fostering innovative research on the roots of current societal challenges.

The Johanna Mestorf Academy at Kiel University is offering two postdoctoral scholarships for a two-year period, in connection with the new ARCWorlds research platform. The Academy is a central institution dedicated to research and education on past societal, environmental, and cultural change, operating at the intersection of the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. The research environment is highly interdisciplinary, with projects supported by the Excellence Cluster ROOTS and the ARCWorlds platform. ROOTS explores the origins of social, environmental, and cultural phenomena that have shaped human development, focusing on four main research lines: human population dynamics and biodiversity, inequalities and conflict escalation, anthropogenic environmental transformation, and the creation and impact of boundaries on social well-being. The ARCWorlds research building is being established to host working groups and provide advanced infrastructure for innovative research, including the Center for Collaborative Synthesis in Archaeology (CCSA), which contributes to the global CfAS initiative. Research at JMA spans human-environment dynamics from the Later Stone Age (ca. 12,000 BCE) to the end of the pre-modern era, with expertise in geoarchaeology, geobotany, social archaeology, physical anthropology, urban archaeology, history of knowledge, archaeobotany, archaeozoology, stable isotope research, settlement archaeology, ethnoarchaeology, data analysis, archaeoclimate, and dendroarchaeology. The Academy is committed to broadening research perspectives beyond Europe, especially to Asia and Africa, and encourages early career experts from these continents to apply. Successful candidates will conduct high-quality interdisciplinary research, supported by the ROOTS Academy. The scholarships provide a monthly grant of 3200€, with additional opportunities to apply for research funds and benefit from ROOTS membership. Applicants must hold an outstanding PhD in a relevant field and demonstrate excellent English language skills. The application process requires submission of a cover letter, CV, research agenda, statement of contribution to ROOTS, references, confirmation letter from a ROOTS Subcluster Speaker or Laboratory Head, PhD dissertation, and academic certificates, all in English. Applications should be sent as a single PDF file (except for the doctoral thesis) to [email protected]. The deadline for submission is April 30, 2026. For further details, visit the Kiel University ROOTS website or contact Prof. Dr. Martin Furholt. This opportunity is ideal for early career researchers seeking to advance interdisciplinary studies in archaeology, anthropology, and history within a vibrant academic community.

The Cluster of Excellence ROOTS at Kiel University invites applications for a Research Associate (Postdoc) position in East Asian Studies, with a focus on Cultural Anthropology, Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences. This full-time, permanent position is classified up to salary grade 14 TV-L, provided tariff-related requirements are met. The ROOTS Cluster explores the deep history of social and environmental processes, aiming to understand their long-term developments and contemporary resonance. The research environment is highly interdisciplinary, bridging archaeology, natural sciences, life sciences, and humanities, and organized into six subclusters and several research platforms. As a postdoctoral researcher, you will engage in research topics related to Chinese and Asian studies, collaborating intensively with the Cluster of Excellence Social, Environmental, and Cultural Connectivity in Past Societies (ROOTS). The position also involves limited teaching and administrative responsibilities at the China Center or its successor institution. After the cluster's term, the role transitions to a permanent position with research and teaching duties in Chinese and Asian studies. The scientific environment offers connections to the Faculty of Philosophy, PMI Cluster of Excellence, SECC, ZAAS, DSC, and IfW, as well as interfaces with all eight faculties of Kiel University. Research priorities include human subsistence and biodiversity, inequality and conflict, technology and environmental impact, boundaries and well-being, and links to environmental, medical, and scientific-technical history, linguistics, and digital humanities. Applicants must hold a doctoral degree of outstanding quality (at least magna cum laude) and have high-quality international publications in East Asian studies, especially in cultural anthropology, social sciences, or environmental sciences. Very good knowledge of English (C1) and Chinese (C1) or another East Asian language is required, along with teaching experience. Desirable qualifications include experience with Sinophone, East, Southeast, and/or Central Asian societies, knowledge of another Asian research language (e.g., Japanese, Korean), experience in acquiring third-party research funding, and a willingness for transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary cooperation. Certifications of equivalence for foreign qualifications must be attached to the application. To apply, submit a single PDF file containing a letter of motivation, CV with publications, doctoral degree certificate, and research proposal via email to [email protected] by 31 March 2026. Letters of recommendation are not required in the first round. For questions, contact Prof. Dr. Angelika Messner ([email protected]). Additional information and the full job advertisement are available at https://www.uni-kiel.de/en/cluster-roots/career/jobs .