Research assistant (postdoc) (m/f/d)

The Institute for Prehistoric Archaeology at the Department of History and Cultural Studies at Freie Universität Berlin is a core institution within Berlin's antiquities expertise. Teaching and research focus on collecting new data through excavations and survey campaigns in Germany, South-Eastern and Eastern Europe, and neighbouring regions of Eurasia, and on the scientific evaluation, interpretation, and publication of this data, including the transfer of knowledge to the general public. The research project “Management, supply and mobility of equids in the northwestern Roman Empire”, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), will investigate the breeding, management and mobility of horses and horse hybrids in the provinces of Germania Inferior and Germania Superior. It aims to gain a better understanding of the Roman supply to the army, the improvement of horse type, and the logistics of equine diet. The project will take two approaches at different scales: first, a large-scale archaeozoological review of fragmented equid remains from Germania Inferior and Germania Superior (carried out by the PI) and second, a life history approach applied to 50 complete or near-complete equid skeletons. The project will apply a range of state-of-the-art methods, including ZooMS, aDNA analysis, stable isotope analysis and dental microwear, in addition to more traditional
archaeozoological methods.

Job description:

• Carrying out a life history study of 50 Roman equid skeletons from the Netherlands and Germany
• Visiting archaeological archives to study material and collect samples
• Archaeozoological, biometrical and paleopathological analysis of the equid skeletons
• Sampling for ZooMS and aDNA analysis
• Sampling for stable isotope analysis, sample processing in lab, analysis of results
• Creating casts for dental microwear, carrying out dental microwear study
• Collaborating with PI, writing papers

Requirements:

• Completed university studies with a Master’s degree in archaeology or a related discipline
• Completed PhD in archaeology, archaeozoology, or archaeological science

Desirable:

• Experience in at least one of the following areas: archaeozoology, stable isotope analysis or dental microwear
• Preferably knowledge of the history and archaeology of the Roman northwestern provinces
• Ability to carry out statistical analysis
• good German and English language skills (C1 level)
• good communication skills and organisational skills
• Team spirit and enthusiasm
• Willingness to travel to archives and work on location for longer time periods

For further information, please contact PD Dr. Maaike Groot (maaike.groot@fu-berlin.de)

Applications should be sent by e-mail, together with significant documents, indicating the reference code, no later than February 3 rd , 2026 in PDF format (preferably as one document) to PD Dr. Maaike Groot (praehist@geschkult.fu-berlin.de) or postal to:

Freie Universität Berlin
Fachbereich Geschichts- und Kulturwissenschaften
Altertumswissenschaften
Institut für Prähistorische Archäologie
PD Dr. Maaike Groot
Fabeckstraße 23-25
14195 Berlin (Dahlem)

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Freie Universität Berlin is an equal opportunity employer.