PhD Candidate: Museums, Collections and Society - Indigenous Heritage (1.0 FTE)

Job requisition Id: 17018 Job type: PhD positions Parttime in hours minus: 38 Parttime in hours max: 38 Location: Leiden EN Applying is possible up to and including: 1 January 2027

PhD Candidate

The Department of Archaeological Heritage and Society, Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University, is looking for a PhD Candidate in the field of Museums, Collections and Society - Indigenous Heritage to join a project funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and carried out at the Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University.

Project Description

The Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University, seeks to appoint a full-time PhD candidate to carry out research in Museums, Collections and Society - Indigenous Heritage. The successful candidate will join the Department of Archaeological Heritage and Society of our Faculty. The research should lead you to obtain a PhD within a four-year timeframe (1.0 FTE).

The PhD candidate will be supervised by Prof. dr. M. Françozo (PI) and by Dr. L. Maciel at the Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University. The PhD candidate’s research is part of the NWO-funded VICI grant: Making History in Indigenous South America (1500-2025): A Multi-Method Approach

The Making History project brings together scientific research and Indigenous knowledge on equal terms. It combines historical research, the study of museum collections, material culture analysis, and close collaboration with Tupinambá communities in Brazil and Mapuche communities in Chile. The project explores the impact of colonial encounters on these communities, while also highlighting their agency, resilience, and continuity over time.

This PhD position is part of the work package focusing on Mapuche histories . The PhD candidate will conduct their research under the supervision of the Principal Investigator (PI), working closely with other members of the research team and collaborating partners.

Key tasks

• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with Mapuche communities and research partners in Chile, taking Indigenous perspectives and research priorities as the starting point for the research.
• Develop an inventory of Mapuche objects in European museum collections and collaboratively select those most relevant to the project.
• Apply an interdisciplinary methodology combining historical research and material culture studies in collaboration with specialists and community partners.
• Undertake research visits to museums and archives and conduct fieldwork (Europe and Chile).
• Complete a PhD dissertation and publish research findings in international peer-reviewed journals.
• Present research findings at international conferences, workshops, and other academic and public events.
• Actively contribute to the Vici research team, including joint research activities, workshops, and the dissemination of project results to academic and non-academic audiences.
• Actively participate in discussions and events at the faculty, department, and research group level;
• Follow PhD courses based on an individual training and supervision plan. Selection criteria

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• Master’s degree completed in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a related field;
• Demonstrable ability and enthusiasm for collaborative research with Indigenous communities;
• Experience with museum collections research;
• Skills in material culture analysis are considered an advantage;
• Very good knowledge of the Spanish language is essential. Knowledge of (or willingness to learn) Mapudungun is considered an advantage;
• Knowledge about or lived experience in the South of Chile is considered an advantage;
• Availability to live in the Netherlands, and willingness to travel and conduct fieldwork outside the Netherlands;
• Demonstrable good time-management, organizational, and communication skills;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in an organized and results-oriented fashion. Our faculty

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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

What we offer

• The selected candidate will be appointed for 4 years in total: initially for a 1-year trial period, followed by an extension of 3 more years, in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• The salary is the standard offered to PhD researchers in the Netherlands in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities (P scale: P0 to P3 = € 3204 - € 4051 gross per month).
• Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. More at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions .
• All our PhD students are embedded in the Graduate School of Archaeology. Our graduate school and Leiden University offer several PhD training courses at various levels.
• 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. Diversity

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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.

We particularly encourage applications from Indigenous candidates and members of other underrepresented communities.

Want to apply or find out more?

For more information about the content of this vacancy, please contact Prof. dr. M. Françozo (m.francozo@arch.leidenuniv.nl)

For other matters, please contact Human Resources HR@arch.leidenuniv.nl

More information about Leiden University can be found at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en .

Apply

You can apply via the 'Apply' button. The deadline for applications is January 1, 2027.

Applications must be submitted via SuccessFactors .

The position is envisaged to start in April/May 2027, but a slightly later start date is possible.

Please attach the following additional documents as one PDF file , stating the job number above:

• Motivation letter (maximum 2 pages, font size 11 or 12), outlining your relevant experience and expertise, as well as your initial ideas for developing the PhD research project.
• Curriculum vitae (CV) .
• Contact details of two potential referees , including their names, affiliations, and email addresses. Letters of recommendation are not required at this stage.

Selected candidates will initially be invited for an online interview. The first round of interviews will take place in the last week of January 2027 . We kindly request that you be available (online) during this period.

Information at a Glance Faculty / Unit: Faculty of Archaeology Contact with (Name + position): Prof. dr. M. Francozo Contact Email address: m.francozo@arch.leidenuniv.nl