The acronym ODYSSEIA stands for: Organic Data Yields in Aegean Bronze Age material culture. Scientific, Sensory, Ethnographic, Experimental, and Iconographic Approaches to human-environment interactions through crafting. In this project, we aim to revise our understanding of how Aegean people in the 2nd millennium BCE related to their physical environment. For this, we will investigate the socio-economic roles of their organic materials in a world known for its elite conspicuous consumption of durable materials and richly decorated palaces. We will achieve this via a multidisciplinary survey of a wide range of organic materials and objects of faunal and floral origins. In order to reconstruct the workflows of how these organic objects have been produced but also used, our holistic and novel methodology combines Aegean and Egyptian iconography, Bronze Age and later texts, ethnographic and experimental studies, 3D modelling, and scientific analyses of archaeological remains. Based on the workflows and how these intersect, their labour cost rates will be calculated. These calculations, based on optimal socio-economic work patterns, and on pre-industrial agricultural subsistence activities, will redress the socio-economic and political imbalances in the power between elites and others in the 2nd millennium BCE. It will complement existing labour data on Late Bronze Age Aegean inorganic workflows. These new data will render visible both organics and a fuller range of Bronze Age people interacting with them, and it will result in a comprehensive, gendered taskscape narrative.

Key tasks and responsibilities

As a member of a larger team, the advertised PhD position is embedded within the ODYSSEIA programme, funded by an FWO ODYSSEUS Type I Grant, and supervised by Prof. Dr. Ann Brysbaert. As PhD candidate, you carry out research in the framework of this project and according to a set of tasks linked to this project. You will also follow the Faculty of Arts PhD training programme, see https://www.arts.kuleuven.be/english/research/becoming-researcher/phd/s… . The Faculty of Arts is a large vibrant research community of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers from all corners of the world and often come together in social and professional activities which are open to all.

This PhD project will document and analyse faunal materials and objects: e.g. leather, bone, antler, and teeth, from a range of different sources of data groups and via different methodologies, and from the raw materials to the finished/reused objects. Objects made of these materials are known from BA Aegean and Egyptian iconographic data from the second millennium East Mediterranean. Archaeologically, Minerally Preserved Organics and archaeozoological studies and approaches are crucial. Linear A & B, and contemporary Egyptian texts on materials and professions will be collected and analysed through both studying the literature on these sources, and analyzing the archaeological remains via microscopy and other methods deemed necessary. The cross-cultural Egyptian data will illustrate various technological aspects of production processes where Aegean data are lacking. Papers on faunal-based objects have been published for the Aegean, but certain categories are very limited, so emphasis lies on recording and analysing the extant archaeological material where available. The expected deliveries will be: 2 joint conference papers, 1 Handbook chapter, the PhD manuscript or its equivalent in co-published papers, Open Access database.

You will carry out the following:

1. Write a PhD
2. Take part in PhD training offered by the Faculty of Arts and through external field schools where appropriate and needed
3. Participate in meetings-workshops organised by the ODYSSEIA team to share and discuss data among the group members and the PI towards the common goals.
4. Present papers at inter/national conferences and workshops, together with other team members and collaborators, as required by the project (co-authored and individual)
5. Submit research results for publication, together with other team members and collaborators, in peer-reviewed journals, synthetic publications, and conference proceedings (co-authored and individual)
6. Undertake/participate in limited teaching in year (1), 2, 3 of the appointment (practicals, classes, exam invigilation, field school, etc.), and minor project administration tasks, as is the case for all PhD students at KU Leuven.

Candidate’s profile

The project seeks to employ a highly motivated and proactive candidate who will need to work both independently and as part of a larger team. S/he is willing to travel between Belgium and Greece, and to stay for periods in Greece to carry out research in libraries, and in excavation- and museum stores. The candidate will be a team player together with several other PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers and the PI. As such, you will share data, results and findings with the team members and the PI on a regular basis in project meetings and in writing reports. You will work together with the group on a day-to-day basis at the Archaeology Research Unit, while also being able to work independently.

Crucial

1. Degrees (BA/BSc. and MA/MSc., certificates to be submitted) in archaeology with a specific focus on East Mediterranean and/or Aegean Bronze/Iron Age Archaeology.
2. An explicit interest in prehistoric organic material culture and landscape studies in the East Mediterranean, visible in the previously taken courses or written theses
3. Excellent verbal and written communication skills
4. The candidate’s obtained MA/MSc. thesis shows well-developed research skills (both analytical and descriptive) and the thesis should have received a grade of minimally 7.5 on a ten-point scale, or its international equivalent (grades to be submitted)
5. The ability to work with databases, excel, and statistical packages are a necessary skill
6. The research needs to result in a doctoral degree
7. An excellent command of English (reading, understanding, speaking, writing)
8. A command of modern Greek (reading, speaking, understanding) or willing to commit to take classes in modern Greek in year one of the PhD and as long as it takes to converse and read it well is an added bonus

Desirable

1. Specialisation in archaeozoology
2. Relevant working experience in museums and excavation depots and working with microscopes and dinolites
3. Some knowledge of studying and analyzing use-wear analyses on organic materials
4. Other modern language skills (French, German)
5. Relevant publications
6. Valid European driving license

1. We offer a full-time position as a doctoral scholar for 1,0 fte (38 hours per week), the start date falls between Sept 1 and Dec 1, 2026
2. The appointment as a PhD scholar will be initially for a period of one year with an extension of three years after positive evaluation of progress and skills development.
3. Information on your salary: the net amount of a doctoral scholarship is 100% of the salary of an Assistant (barema 43) with the same qualification, age and family situation, see https://admin.kuleuven.be/personeel/wedde/wedde_AP.html. This is the fiscally allowed maximum amount. See: https://admin.kuleuven.be/personeel/intranet/statuten/doctoraatsbursaal…;
4. You are legally required to live in Belgium
5. We offer a stimulating and lively environment of PhDs and Postdoctoral researchers in archaeology and well beyond

For more information please contact Prof. Dr. Ann Brysbaert (ann.brysbaert@kuleuven.be) or Prof. Dr. I. Schoep (ilse.schoep@kuleuven.be)The selection procedure will take place by May 31, 2026, and the highest ranked candidates will be invited for an interview (Teams) in June 2026.
Please upload your application materials ensuring that the following documents are included. They should be all in ONE pdf, and in the order outlined below:
1. Your curriculum vitae (CV, max 2 pages), including a list of publications if applicable;2. A short research proposal including short bibliography (max 3 pages) about how you see your potential scientific contribution in relation to the advertised position and its specifics;3. A cover letter (max 2 pages) stating how your skills and experience relate to the selection criteria and project description above;4. One major writing sample: MA thesis or published paper5. Copies of your academic transcripts (BA/BSc., MA/MSc.) that show your grades6. The names and contact details (with emails) of three academic referees who know your work well; one should be your MA thesis supervisor.