Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology, Polish Academy of Sciences (IAE PAS)
invites applications for a post-doctoral researcher position in archaeobotany
within the NCN SONATA 20 grant:
“Serengeti of the Early Pastoralists. Searching for the origins of pastoral societies in the plains of East Africa”
Principal Investigator: Dr. Piotr Osypiński
Link to the project page: https://projekty.ncn.gov.pl/index.php?projekt_id=632199
Position: post-doc (Polish: adiunkt), full-time research position
Contract duration: 24 months
Preferred starting date: March 01, 2026
Job description and key duties:
The successful candidate will:
- Collect environmental samples during two field-seasons (August/September) in Serengeti (macro-fossil remains, micro-fossil remains - pollen, phytoliths and starch grains)
- Collect environmental samples (i.e. modern plants) in Tanzania to characterize the local traditional pastoral societies dietary preferences, fuel, construction materials and animal fodder consumption scale, as well as environs of human settlements,
- Conduct pretreatments of samples for subsequent analyses at the outreach collaborating laboratories
- Cross-analyze laboratory results
- Contribute to developing research protocols and expanding data resources,
- Lead and co-author publications in top-tier international journals and present results at conferences.
Qualifications:
- PhD degree in archaeobotany, bioarchaeology, archaeology, or related fields, obtained within the last 12 years (according to NCN post-doc regulations; this period can be extended by 18 months per child for women); Candidates nearing their PhD defense are welcome to apply but must hold the degree before starting employment,
- Proven experience with archaeobotany supported by publications,
- Interest in research topics related to past diet and mobility,
- Motivation to conduct research within this field,
- Strong team spirit and ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment,
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (B2 level preferred),
- Willingness and ability to travel for 6-weeks long research stays in Tanzania
We offer:
- Full-time employment contract at IAE PAS, Poznań branch,
- Monthly salary of approx. PLN 11,670 gross (~EUR 2,800 gross subjected to exchange rate fluctuations and taxation regulations),
- Opportunity to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary international research team with access to state-of-the-art research facilities,
- Fully equipped workspace, including a laptop and necessary accessories (optional hybrid working),
- Funding for research visits, conferences, and specialist training.
Application documents:
- Curriculum vitae (max. 5 pages, in English),
- Motivation letter (max. 3 pages, in English), explaining the candidate's interest in and experience relevant to the research activities described above,
- Copy of the PhD diploma or(if the degree has not yet been formally awarded) confirmation of the planned PhD defense date, with the note that employment is contingent upon obtaining the degree before starting the position,
- Contact information for two potential referees familiar with the candidate’s academic background, along with a brief description of the nature of their relationship with the candidate.
Application deadline:
Please send your application by 20 February 2026 to: p.osypinski@iaepan.edu.pl
The competition committee reserves the right to conduct interviews with selected candidates.
Expected recruitment decision: late February 2026.
Please include the following clause in your CV:
I give consent for my personal data included in the recruitment form to be processed by Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology PAS with its registered seat in Warsaw at al. Solidarności 105 (data controller) for the purposes of recruitment for Postdoctoral Researcher position pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC in compliance with a legal obligation to which the data controller is subject to (Art. 6 section 1 letter a) and the Act on personal data protection of 10 May 2018 (Journal of Laws of 2018, item 1000).