PhD position in Egyptian Archaeology on Meat in Greco-Roman Egypt
KU Leuven is offering a full-time PhD position in Egyptian Archaeology focused on meat consumption in Greco-Roman Egypt. The project,
Meat in Greco-Roman Egypt (MeaGRE): An Interdisciplinary Approach
, investigates long-standing assumptions about ancient Mediterranean diets by examining how meat was produced, processed, consumed, and understood within the social, institutional, and dietary landscape of Greco-Roman Egypt.
The PhD researcher will be embedded in KU Leuven’s vibrant interdisciplinary environment, within the Archaeology Research Unit and the wider AKM Department, alongside researchers in art sciences, musicology, ancient history, papyrology, Egyptology, and archaeology. The project is led by Prof. dr. Katelijn Vandorpe and Prof. dr. Stefan Baumann and connects with related research networks and initiatives at KU Leuven and beyond.
The successful candidate will focus on the archaeological dimension of the project. This includes the study of architectural remains such as kitchens and altars, artefacts such as cooking vessels and storage jars, visual evidence from temples and tombs, and organic remains, especially animal bones, with support from an archaeozoologist. The role also involves close collaboration with project members working on Greek and Latin texts and Egyptian texts, creating a genuinely interdisciplinary research setting.
In addition to research, the doctoral candidate will complete mandatory PhD training, join field schools where appropriate, participate in project meetings and workshops, present at national and international conferences, contribute to publications, and take on limited teaching and administrative duties.
Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in Egyptology, Archaeology with a focus on Egypt, or an equivalent qualification, and should demonstrate strong academic performance and potential for independent research. Essential language skills include excellent English plus reading proficiency in French and German; Dutch is an advantage. Basic knowledge of Middle Egyptian is required, while experience with Greco-Roman temple inscriptions and organic remains, especially animal bones, is considered an asset.
The position is full-time and funded as a doctoral scholarship in line with KU Leuven salary scales. It is offered initially for one year and may be extended up to four years following a positive evaluation. The intended start date is 1 November 2026. The application deadline is 24 August 2026 at 23:59 Brussels time.
