University of Basel Fully Funded PhD Position in Ancient History

University of Basel Fully Funded PhD Position in Ancient History

The University of Basel invites applications for a fully funded PhD position in Ancient History under the SNSF-funded project “The Roman Villa as Ecosystem: Climate, Production, and Society in the Sabina Tiberina.”

The position is hosted by the Department of Ancient Civilizations and will focus on the lives, labour, health, mobility, and social organisation of rural populations in Roman Italy.

Position Overview

Institution: University of Basel
Department: Department of Ancient Civilizations
Position: Fully Funded PhD Researcher
Research Area: Ancient History / Roman Social and Economic History
Project Lead: Prof. Dr. Sabine Huebner
Expected Start Date: 1 October 2026, negotiable
Application Deadline: 1 August 2026

PhD Research Topic

The People Behind the Villa: Life, Labour, and Death in Roman Italy

The doctoral project will investigate the men, women, and children who lived and worked on Roman rural estates and sustained the agricultural economy of Roman Italy.

Research Focus

The selected candidate will explore areas such as:

• Roman social and economic history

• Ancient demography

• Roman archaeology

• Rural labour and agricultural communities

• Health and mortality

• Migration and mobility

• Ancestry and population structure

• Social organisation in the Roman countryside

The project will focus on the Roman hinterland from the first century BCE to the third century CE.

About the Project

Roman villas have often been studied mainly as elite residences and centres of agricultural production. This project shifts attention toward the populations who worked on these estates and formed the labour force behind the rural economy.

The broader research programme examines Roman villas as interconnected social, environmental, and economic systems.

Candidate Profile

The position is suitable for candidates with a strong academic background in areas such as:

• Ancient History

• Classical Archaeology

• Roman History

• Ancient Demography

• Classics

• Social or Economic History

• A related discipline

Applicants should demonstrate strong research potential, academic writing skills, and an interest in interdisciplinary approaches to Roman society.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their application through the official University of Basel recruitment process.

Applicants may be required to provide:

• Curriculum vitae

• Cover letter

• Academic transcripts and certificates

• Research statement or proposal

• Writing sample or Master’s thesis

• Referee details

• Other supporting documents specified in the official announcement

Important Dates

Application Deadline: 1 August 2026
Proposed Start Date: 1 October 2026, negotiable

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