Research assistant (fixed-term contract) in the research project Locally Crafted Empires (LoCiS), School of Culture and Society, Aarhus University

The research project Locally Crafted Empires: Intersecting identities under Imperial rule in Western Asia as expressed in local portrait cultures (1st c. BCE-5th c. CE) (LoCiS) headed by Professor of Classical Archaeology and Art, Rubina Raja, at the School of Culture and Society, Faculty of Arts, Aarhus University (AU), is looking to recruit a research assistant (28 hour per week) for the period 1 January 2026 to 15 April 2027.

Place of employment: Department of History and Classical Studies, Institute for Culture and Society, Aarhus University, Jens Chr. Skous Vej 5, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

The position

The successful candidate is expected to work closely with the LoCiS PI, Professor Rubina Raja, on a number of tasks, including:

• supporting large research/publication projects (including copyediting and indexing)
• carrying out data collection, data management and analysis (under supervision)
• performing research tasks within the area of classical archaeology, e.g. literature searches and image processing
• supporting processes in connection with funding applications/reporting to funding agencies.

Qualifications

Applicants are expected to have the following qualifications:

• an MA in classical archaeology, ancient history or a related discipline
• Proven expertise in archaeology and cultural heritage of the Near East and Western Asia
• fluency in English (spoken and written)
• knowledge of other modern languages such as French, German and Italian
• excellent attention to detail
• experience with editorial work and copyediting
• flexibility and the ability of make shifts in focus
• a methodological and structured approach to work, and exceptional organisational skills
• excellent time-management skills and ability to meet deadlines
• excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills.

Applicants who can document experience from similar roles in other projects will have an advantage.

Further information

For further information about the position, please contact Professor Rubina Raja (rubina.raja@cas.au.dk)

For more information about applications, please contact HR support on e-mail iks-hr-sag@au.dk.

About the project

The LoCiS project investigates the rich but understudied local portrait cultures of ancient Western Asia with the aim of determining how they reflect local and regional entanglements with and responses to different imperial hegemonies. LoCiS aims to reveal new knowledge about intersecting identities on an individual, local and regional level through a long durée perspective with a global historical outlook. The thousands of surviving portraits have not been studied comprehensively – neither diachronically nor in contexts or in cross-regional perspectives. LoCiS aims at offering unprecedented insights into the multilayered narratives of the varied individual experiences in antiquity.

Formalities

Faculty of Arts refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities (the Appointment Order).

• Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.
• Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities .
• Further information on the application and supplementary materials may be found in Application Guidelines.

Shortlists may be prepared with the candidates that have been selected for a detailed academic assessment. A committee set up by the head of school is responsible for selecting the most qualified candidates. See this link for further information about shortlisting at the Faculty of Arts: shortlisting

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Faculty of Arts

The Faculty of Arts is one of five main academic areas at Aarhus University.

The faculty contributes to Aarhus University's research, talent development, knowledge exchange and degree programmes.

With its 700 academic staff members, 200 PhD students, 9,000 BA and MA students, and 1,500 students following continuing/further education programmes, the faculty constitutes a strong and diverse research and teaching environment.

The Faculty of Arts consists of the School of Communication and Culture, the School of Culture and Society and the Danish School of Education. Each of these units has strong academic environments and forms the basis for interdisciplinary research and education.

The faculty's academic environments and degree programmes engage in international collaboration and share the common goal of contributing to the development of knowledge, welfare and culture in interaction with society.

Read more at arts.au.dk/en

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/