The University of Cambridge is offering a three-year funded PhD studentship in Zooarchaeology, starting in October 2027. This opportunity is part of the Landscape Historical Ecology and Archaeology of Ancient Pastoral Societies in Kenya (LHEAAPS) project, funded by a UKRI Frontier Research Grant.
The doctoral research will focus on reconstructing animal economies and herd management strategies of Pastoral Iron Age societies in north-central Kenya, utilizing zooarchaeological and isotopic analyses to understand past human-environment interactions and inform sustainable futures.
Quick Facts
| Opportunity | PhD Position |
|---|---|
| Institution | University of Cambridge |
| Department | Department of Archaeology |
| Location | Cambridge, United Kingdom |
| Region | Europe |
| Open to | UK Students |
| Funding | Fully funded |
| Stipend / Salary | Covers maintenance and fee costs at the current Home Rate, plus 6-12 months discretionary additional maintenance for dissertation finalisation. |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Start date | October 2027 |
| Application deadline | 06 January 2027 |
About the Position
The successful applicant will investigate the animal economies and herd management strategies of Pastoral Iron Age sites in north-central Kenya. This involves assessing changes and continuities over time in dietary breadth, mobility strategies, and related factors through a combination of zooarchaeological methods (species composition, body part representation, mortality, pathological and metric data) and isotopic analyses. The research aims to contribute to broader syntheses demonstrating the value of understanding pastoralist histories for planning sustainable futures in the region.
Eligibility
- Meet the requirements for a PhD application in archaeology at the University of Cambridge.
- Hold, or expect to obtain by July 2027, an MA, MSc, or MPhil degree in archaeology, archaeological science, or a cognate discipline.
- Demonstrate a sound grounding and specialist knowledge of zooarchaeology.
- Ideally, possess knowledge of East African Holocene archaeology and/or the archaeology of pastoralist economies.
- Ideally, have practical field experience in researching the archaeology of pastoralism.
Benefits
Not specified in the official listing – check the source page.
Documents Required
Not specified in the official listing – check the source page.
How to Apply
- Click the 'Apply' button on the original job listing for further details and application instructions.
- For informal enquiries, contact Professor Paul Lane at pjl29@cam.ac.uk and Dr Lizzie Wright at eew39@cam.ac.uk.
Source: jobs.ac.uk PhD studentships.
Details can change – always confirm eligibility and deadline on the official listing before applying.
Featured image: Photo by Talha Aytan on Pexels
