We are one of the largest and oldest universities in Europe and one of the most important employers in our region.
Our broad range of subjects, the dynamic development of our main research areas and our central location in Cologne
make us attractive for students and researchers from around the world. We offer a wide range of career opportunities in
science, technology, and administration.

The candidate will support ECOLITHIC, a pioneering project
funded by the Volkswagen Foundation, to develop new
conceptual, empirical and computational models to com-
paratively investigate the long-term evolutionary dynamics
of integrated technological worlds from the Late Pleistocene
(c. 120 - 15k BP) in Western and Central Europe.
For further details on the position and the project:
https://ecolithic.uni-koeln.de/opportunities.

YOUR TASKS
» Conduct independent research and publish its results in

high-tier international journals
» Lead ECOLITHIC’s Work Package 3: ‘Theoretical

simulations of lithic macro-evolution’
» Translate and operationalize ECOLITHIC’s theoretical

core concepts to enable quantification of evolving past
technological ecosystems in Pleistocene Europe

» Support the PI in empirical data collection, curation
and quantitative-statistical analysis as well as in the
organization and implementation of scientific workshops
and academic/public outreach

» Engage with literature and theoretical concepts from
other disciplines, notably evolutionary biology, ecology,
Earth system science, complexity and network science,
archaeology, geoanthropology and nascent techno-
sphere science

» Collaborate with external project collaborators and
co-supervisors across archaeology, complexity sciences
and Earth system/Anthropocene studies

YOUR PROFILE
» Doctoral degree in computational archaeology, data

science, theoretical/computational biology, macro-
ecology, physics, complexity and/or network science
OR Palaeolithic archaeology with some (acquired)
modelling experience

» Excellent English communication and writing skills
» Motivated by challenging interdisciplinary research

and experience or background in crossing disciplinary
boundaries

» Good coding skills (ideally in R) and the capacity to
identify and work with relevant mathematical equations
and simulation approaches and to implement them
appropriately in the project context

» GIS (Geographical Information Systems) and network
software skills (NetworkX, Gephi, etc.) are advantageous

» Knowledge/experience on lithic technology and its
empirical analysis are advantageous

WE OFFER
» A competitive and interdisciplinary research ecology
» A diverse working environment with equal opportunities
» Support in balancing work and family life
» Extensive advanced training opportunities
» Occupational health management offers
» Flexible working time models
» Opportunity to work remotely

The University of Cologne promotes equal opportunities and
diversity. Women will be considered preferentially in accord-
ance with the Equal Opportunities Act of North Rhine-West-
phalia (Landesgleichstellungsgesetz – LGG NRW). We also
expressly welcome applications from all suitable candidates
regardless of their gender, nationality, ethnic and social
origin, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

The position is available from 01.08.2025 on a full-time
basis (39,83 hours per week). The position is to be filled
for a fixed term until 31.07.2027. If the applicant meets the
relevant wage requirements and personal qualifications,
the salary will be based on remuneration group 13 TV-L of
the pay scale for the German public sector.

Please apply online with proof of the required qualifications
without a photo under: https://jobportal.uni-koeln.de. The
reference number is Wiss2504-13. The application deadline
is 25.05.2025.

For further inquiries, please contact Dr Shumon T. Hussain
(s.t.hussain@uni-koeln.de) and take a look at our FAQs.

Research Associate (f/m/x) - ECOLITHIC Project

Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Institute for Prehistoric Archaeology & MESH