Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) is one of the largest universities in Germany. Thanks to its location in the Rhine-Main science region, the university can unfold to its full potential and showcase its innovative power and dynamism. Its status as a comprehensive university allows for multidisciplinary learning and teaching and has great potential for internationally renowned, interdisciplinary research. Almost all of its institutes are located on a single campus close to the Mainz city center – creating a lively academic culture for researchers, teaching staff, and students from every continent.

Faculty 07: History and Cultural Studies / Department of Ancient Studies of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

Academic staff member

full-time (100 %)

A full-time appointment for three years as academic staff member (postdoctoral research assistant) is available at the Department of Prehistory, Institute of Ancient Studies, JGU. The role is part of an interdisciplinary research project exploring the economic, social and cultural consequences of the introduction and spread of ceramic vessels in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.

Your tasks:

• Conduct independent research, publish own research results in peer-reviewed journals and present at international conferences
• Collate existing archaeological data regarding the emergence and spread of pottery and related subsistence (zooarchaeological and archaeobotanical) data from eight broad regions in Mexico, Guatemala and Belize
• Identify target sites for further scientific analyses of ceramic vessels, develop sampling strategies in collaboration with local project partners, travel to museum collections to select samples for scientific analyses, organize export permissions
• Develop collaborations with national and international research partners, leveraging collective expertise and resources

Your profile:

In addition to the general requirements according to public services law, applicants must meet the recruitment requirements stipulated in § 57 of the Hochschulgesetz of Rhineland-Palatinate.

• A successfully completed scientific university degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a closely related field
• A doctorate (Ph.D.) in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a closely related field, with a focus on Mesoamerican studies
• Expertise in Mesoamerican Archaeology with a specialization in Pre-Classic Mesoamerica
• Demonstrated expertise in pottery studies, including but not limited to typology, technology and scientific analyses
• Excellent scientific communication skills demonstrated by a record of peer-reviewed publications and oral presentations
• Fluency in Spanish (at least CEFR C1 level or comparable) and proven ability to communicate and write in English fluently
• The ability to interact professionally with a wide range of researchers, officials and local stakeholders

Desirable qualifications and skills:

• Experience in collaborating with archaeological collections and heritage institutions
• Fieldwork experience in Mesoamerica
• Broad interest in archaeological science

What we have to offer:

• Challenging and varied work environment in a broadly based and internationally renowned archaeological department
• Excellent facilities and resources for interdisciplinary archaeological research, including close collaborations with the Leibniz Center for Archaeology (LEIZA) and the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry (MPIC) in Mainz
• Jobticket, optional for the entire Rhine-Main area
• Flexible working time arrangements

The position is paid according to EG 13 TV-L and to be filled immediately. The latest starting date is July 1st 2025. The position is temporary and limited to a period of three years.

JGU is diverse and welcomes qualified applications from people with varied backgrounds.

We aim to increase the number of women in the field of research and teaching and therefore encourage female researchers to apply.

Candidates with severe disabilities and appropriate qualifications will be given priority.

Are you ready for a new challenge and interested in this varied and responsible position? Then submit your complete application (cover letter, CV, certificates) by 2/16/2025 via the „Apply now“ button.

For questions and further information please contact Prof. Dr. Maria Ivanova-Bieg by e-mail: maria.ivanova@uni-mainz.de.

Data protection information

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