Connected Communities in early Medieval Europe: A diachronic pan-European analytical perspective of bead networks

Connected Communities in early Medieval Europe: A diachronic pan-European analytical perspective of bead networks

(ref. BAP-2026-649)

Laatst aangepast: 06/11/26

KU Leuven is a leading European research university located in Leuven, Belgium, consistently ranked among the top universities worldwide. With a rich history dating back to 1425, KU Leuven is renowned for its high-quality education, cutting-edge research, and international academic community. The laboratory of Archaeometry in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at KU Leuven is at the forefront of archaeological science research, offering state-of-the-art facilities and a collaborative environment for interdisciplinary exploration. Join us at KU Leuven to be part of a vibrant academic community dedicated to advancing knowledge and shaping the future of science.

Project

The Connected Communities in early Medieval Europe project, granted under the ERC Synergy programme (GAP 101224625 ) aims to re-evaluate the traditional image that after the collapse of the Roman state in the West, a united and interconnected Europe disintegrated into a fragmented continent divided into a series of ethnic kingdoms. Burials of early medieval Europe, seem to tell a different tale. The staggering number of objects found in these, as well as the shared ways of caring for the dead show a highly connected world. This project offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research on archaeological materials analysis under the guidance of prof. Patrick Degryse. You will join an international research group working on different archaeological materials, using various analysis techniques. As this PhD fits into a large synergy project, the candidate will be meeting and learning from international partners working on beads, as well as other aspects of the project. .

Project Description

In this doctoral research project, the successful candidate will investigate potential connections between early medieval communities in Europe by analysing beads from different burial contexts and mapping their distribution over Europe. We will investigate how and why ideas, such as modes of care for the dead, came to be shared across Europe through the prism of beads. Origins and modes of circulation will be interrogated using typological and chemical analysis.

The chemical composition of beads from selected cemeteries will be analysed by pXRF in partner institutions across Europe, and by μXRF, LA-ICP-MS and MC-ICP-MS at the Earth and Environmental Science department of KU Leuven (Belgium). These chemical analyses will allow us to identify regions that accessed the same bead-sources and/or were connected by ‘bead-ideas’, and will also provide insights into how strings of beads were assembled, to understand exchange and connections.

In particular, we want the successful candidate to move beyond classic provenance questions that are usually the object of chemical studies of glass beads and instead focus on understanding bead-exchange and the assemblage of strings of beads across Europe through chemometric approaches.

Responsibilities

• Typological and pXRF analyis of beads from burial contexts across Europe, liaising with partner institutions within the ERC COCO project,
• Where necessary, sampling these archaeological materials for further analysis,
• Characterize these samples or full strings of beads for their geochemical composition, using µXRF, LA-ICP-MS and MC-ICP-MS techniques (possibly amongst other methods),
• Use statistical approaches to understand bead exchange networks.
• Present results to the partners of the project as well as at international symposia

Profile

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in Archaeological Sciences, Earth Sciences, Chemistry, Archaeology or equivalent,
• Experience in inorganic archaeological materials analysis and statistical techniques is necessary,
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a passion for archaeology.

Offer

We offer a fully funded 4 year PhD position.

• Position: PhD Researcher
• Duration: 4 years
• Salary: Competitive salary in accordance with KU Leuven's doctoral salary scale
• Start Date: Flexible, preferably January 2027

COCO project website

ERC Synergy programme: COCO

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Patrick Degryse, mail: patrick.degryse@kuleuven.be.

Interested candidates should submit a single PDF file containing a cover letter outlining their research interests and relevant experience, a curriculum vitae with any publications, and contact information for three references. Please apply through the vacancy website of the KU Leuven.

You can apply for this job no later than December 03, 2026 via the online application tool

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

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av_timer Tewerkstellingspercentage: Voltijds

location_city Locatie: Leuven

timer Solliciteren tot en met:

03/12/2026 23:59 CET

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