Post-doctoral Researcher: Agent-Based Modelling of Pleistocene Landscape Connectivity in Europe
The Department of World Archaeology, Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University, is looking for a temporary Postdoctoral Researcher to investigate prehistoric landscape connectivity and human movement across Europe using agent-based modelling.
The project is part of the NWO-VICI project Neandertal Legacy, awarded to Prof. dr. M.A. Soressi, which investigates the contacts and interactions between Neanderthals and early modern humans in Late Pleistocene Europe through an interdisciplinary archaeological approach. The successful candidate will implement the movement modelling framework developed by Coco & Iovita (2025 PLOS’one) to reconstruct the geography-driven movement architecture of Europe and adjacent regions during the Middle and Late Pleistocene. By simulating autonomous agents that make only local least-cost movement decisions, using Leiden University's ALICE High Performance Computing (HPC) cluster, the project will identify movement corridors, bottlenecks, and barriers that emerge solely from landscape structure. The central research question is: if hominins moved across Europe constrained primarily by palaeogeography, what large-scale patterns of movement and connectivity would naturally emerge? Predicted movement pathways will subsequently be compared with the archaeological record to evaluate how geography shaped patterns of human dispersal and landscape connectivity through time.
What You Will Do
Adapt the Coco & Iovita (2025) agent-based movement model to reconstruct prehistoric landscape connectivity across Europe.
Build and process palaeoenvironmental and geospatial datasets (including digital elevation models, palaeocoastlines, river networks and glacier extents) for multiple Middle and Late Pleistocene time slices using GIS and R.
Run computationally intensive agent-based simulations on Leiden University's ALICE High Performance Computing (HPC) cluster and analyse predicted movement corridors and connectivity patterns.
Compare predicted movement corridors and connectivity networks with archaeological datasets to evaluate the extent to which landscape structure alone explains observed patterns of prehistoric human dispersal.
Produce reproducible datasets and code, and contribute to one scientific publication and one scientific presentation.
Engage with the Faculty community through discussion meetings, journal clubs, and other events.
Where you will work
The future of the past begins at Leiden University. The Faculty of Archaeology is internationally leading for its research, home to a broad array of specializations and notable for its strong connection between teaching and research. Home to over 500 students in the multidisciplinary world of Archaeology, the Faculty, and its researchers from all areas of the archaeological field, determine the future of archaeological research. More information about our university and our faculty can be found at: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/archaeology
The successful candidate will join the
Department of World Archaeology
. They will be supervised by Prof. dr. M.A. Soressi and by Dr. E. Coco, Researcher at the Interdisciplinary Center for Archaeology and Evolution of Human Behaviour (ICArEHB) at the University of Algarve in Faro, Portugal.
They will work as a post-doctoral researcher for 0,7 to 1 fte (26,6 to 38 hours per week), maximaal 6 months, depending on the number of fte’s.
Working arrangements
The position can be carried out remotely. The postdoctoral researcher will work independently while maintaining regular contact with the project team through scheduled online meetings. Progress will be monitored through agreed milestones and deliverables to ensure timely completion of the project.
Expected deliverables:
Reproducible European palaeogeographic datasets for multiple Pleistocene time slices.
Connectivity maps identifying emergent movement corridors, bottlenecks and barriers.
Comparison of predicted corridors with archaeological site distributions.
Reproducible R code and documentation.
Draft manuscript suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.
What You Bring
We are looking for someone who can work independently while collaborating effectively with the project team. Given the short duration of the appointment, you should be able to quickly familiarise yourself with the project objectives and work towards clearly defined milestones. This position is a good fit for you if you recognise yourself in the following:
PhD degree completed by the time of appointment in Archaeology, Geography, Geosciences, Ecology, Computer Science, or a related discipline;
Experience with GIS, spatial analysis, and processing large raster and vector geospatial datasets.
Programming experience in R (preferred), or Python or another language suitable for spatial analysis and simulation.
Experience with agent-based modelling or spatial simulation is an advantage;
Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and deliver project milestones within a short-term appointment;
Excellent written and spoken English and strong communication skills.
What We Offer
Our goal is to work together to create a transparent and inclusive work environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. Our organisation is always evolving and we need your ideas for improvement and innovation to take us further. We want to devote attention to your personal development.
You can count on an enjoyable job within the socially relevant world research. The University's challenging and international work environment is located just steps away from Leiden’s lively city centre
.
We also want to work with you to devote attention to your health and vitality, for example with the fun activities we organise through Healthy University.
The selected candidate will be appointed for up to a maximum of 6 months depending on the start date and the number of FTE. The project needs to be completed by July 2027;
A salary of a minimum of €4422 and a maximum of €5760 gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours) (scale 10 for post-doctoral researcher);
A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
For a 38-hour week you have 232 vacation hours per year. If you work part-time, your vacation credit is proportional to your contracted hours;
Lots of options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options for a sabbatical or paid parental leave. Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription or bicycle scheme, and we also offer child-care options;
If your work allows it, hybrid working is possible within the Netherlands;
A home-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces. The University will also provide you with a laptop.
For more information about employment conditions, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions.
What We Find Important
Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. Leiden University aims to be an inclusive community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to develop to their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High-quality education and research means inclusive education and research.
Want to apply or find out more?
If you want to apply straight away, click the application button.
If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact Prof. dr. M.A Soressi at
[email protected]. Applications will be processed as they arrive, and until the position is filled, and no later than 6th November 2026
For other matters, please contact Human Resources
[email protected]
To help us get to know each other better, we follow a number of steps in the application procedure. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/werken-bij/sollicitatieprocedure-en-arbeidsvoorwaarden
Please attach the following
additional
documents, stating the job number above:
Motivation letter, including your relevant interest and experience in the subject matter and a brief work plan outlining how you would structure the project, including the datasets you would prioritise, the modelling workflow, and the milestones you would aim to achieve during the appointment (max. 2.5 pages).
Curriculum vitae, including a list of publications
The names and addresses of two potential referees (no actual recommendation letters required at this stage).
Selected candidates will initially be invited for an online interview.
We believe mobility is very important. That is why we are also publishing this vacancy internally. In case of equal suitability, we will give priority to the internal candidate.
Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated. If you nevertheless choose to send us CVs, no rights can be derived from this.