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Doctoral Researcher in Archaeobotany The University of Helsinki invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher in Archaeobotany for a fixed-term position of 36 months in the Research Council of Finland-funded project NeoPlant: “Neolithic Plant Use, Cultivation and Cultural Roles of Plants in Finland, ca. 3000-1500 BCE”.The position is based at the Faculty of Arts & Cultures at the Department of Archeology, University of Helsinki in Finland, and the successful candidate will join the research group led by Dr. Mia Lempiäinen-Avci. About the project NeoPlant investigates one of the major transformations in human history: the transition from hunting and gathering to food production and farming. The project focuses on Neolithic Finland, where hunting, fishing and gathering continued to play an important role while new practices related to cultivation, animal husbandry and food production gradually emerged. The project examines how plants were used during this transition and what archaeobotanical evidence can reveal about changing subsistence strategies, environments and everyday life. Particular attention is paid to exceptionally well-preserved archaeological contexts, including wetland sites, which provide new possibilities for studying plant use in prehistoric northern Europe. NeoPlant combines archaeobotanical analysis of plant macroremains with archaeological and natural-scientific approaches, including radiocarbon dating, stable isotope analyses and ancient DNA. The project aims to develop a more detailed understanding of when, how and under what circumstances cultivation became part of human subsistence strategies in Finland. About the position The Doctoral Researcher will conduct an independent PhD project within the broader research framework of NeoPlant. The precise research questions and focus of the doctoral dissertation will be developed together with the Principal Investigator, taking into account the successful candidate’s expertise and research interests. The doctoral project is expected to have archaeobotanical plant macroremain analysis as its primary methodological approach. The researcher will work particularly with archaeological plant remains and datasets from Neolithic contexts in Finland and will participate in the collection, processing, analysis and interpretation of archaeobotanical material. The main tasks include:
Training in specialised archaeobotanical methods will be provided where necessary. Qualifications We are looking for a motivated researcher interested in archaeobotany, prehistoric archaeology and human–plant relationships. The successful candidate is expected to have:
Knowledge of Finnish or Swedish is not required. Research environment The successful candidate will become part of an interdisciplinary research environment combining archaeology, archaeobotany and natural-scientific approaches to the human past. The NeoPlant project collaborates with researchers in Finland and internationally and provides opportunities for methodological training, research visits, conference participation and international networking. The researcher will have access to archaeobotanical laboratory facilities and comparative botanical collections required for the identification of plant macroremains. The project values a collaborative research culture in which team members contribute to the development of research questions, methods and interpretations across disciplinary boundaries. Employment The position is full-time and fixed-term for 36 months. The employment will follow the terms and salary system of the University of Helsinki, being between 3400-3900 euros per month. The position includes a 6 month trial period in accordance with the University of Helsinki regulations. The preferred starting date is 1.1.2027, or as agreed. How to apply Please submit your application through the University of Helsinki recruitment system. The application should include:
In the motivation letter, applicants are encouraged to briefly describe what aspects of Neolithic plant use, subsistence or the transition to farming they would be particularly interested in investigating within the NeoPlant project. A complete doctoral research proposal is not required at the application stage. The deadline for applications is 30.11.2026 (23:59PM). Please note: Another doctoral researcher position in archaeobotany is expected to open in spring 2027 as part of the ERC-funded PlantStories project, led by Dr Mia Lempiäinen-Avci. PlantStories investigates the roles of plants in everyday life and society in medieval northern Europe, with a particular focus on rye and buckwheat. Candidates interested in archaeobotany and human–plant relationships are encouraged to keep an eye out for this upcoming opportunity. For further information about the position(s) and the NeoPlant project, please contact: Dr. Mia Lempiäinen-Avci Archaeology Finland Do you have a helsinki.fi username and a valid employment contract, a grant researcher's contract, a visiting researcher's or visiting professor's contract at the University of Helsinki? Log in here to apply to our open positions. Employee Login Unit: Faculty of Humanities We are defined by our multidisciplinary approach. This, combined with a dedication for cross-border collaboration, gives us our potential to find real solutions and build hope for a better, more sustainable future. We are united by our values – truth, bildung, freedom, and inclusivity – as well as our passion for work that truly matters. Join us: work for the future – work for the world. Any questions?
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