Postdoctoral Position in Classical Archaeology and History of Art

About this position

The ERC Starting Grant Project 101303087 Imago Caeli. Visualizing the Constellations in Mesopotamian, Greek and Roman Art , led by Fabio Spadini, is now accepting applications for 1 postdoctoral positions (65%) starting on 01/04/2027.

Contract duration : 44 months

The postdoctoral researcher will investigate ancient celestial globes within the broader framework of Roman visual culture, with particular attention to their iconographic significance and their role in shaping the visualization of the cosmos in the Roman world. The researcher will apply an intervisual methodology combining literary, iconographic, archaeological, and astronomical evidence to identify and analyse representations of astral myths in Roman visual culture. Particular attention will be given to Vesuvian wall paintings and their relationship with ancient astronomical poetry, including Manilius’ Astronomica .

The main activities will thus be:

• To investigate ancient celestial globes, with particular emphasis on the Kugel and Mainz globes, through the study of their iconography, chronology, and cultural context;
• To scrutinise literary, iconographic, archaeological, and astronomical sources relating to the representation of constellations and astral myths in Roman culture;
• To develop and apply an intervisual methodology for identifying astral myths in Roman art and classifying their iconographic schemes;
• To conduct comparative analyses of astral representations in Roman frescoes, mosaics, and other visual media, with particular attention to Vesuvian wall paintings;
• To compare the iconographic schemes identified in Roman art with the constellations depicted on the Kugel and Mainz globes;
• To reassess the dating and cultural significance of the Kugel globe through comparative iconographic analysis;
• To contribute to the reconstruction and digital visualization of the Roman sky through the integration of research results into Stellarium software;
• To present research findings at conferences, seminars, and workshops in Fribourg and elsewhere;

The researcher will work closely with the Principal Investigator and other members of the team. Research findings will be discussed regularly within the project, contributing to an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural understanding of the relationship between text, image, and astronomical knowledge in antiquity.

A strong background in Roman art and iconography is essential.

Deadline for submission: 20/12/2026

Applicants are requested to submit:

• CV (Education, Experience in research, Publications, Projects, 5-6 pages max.)
• Motivation letter (1 p.)
• PDF of the PhD dissertation and of the final report of the Commission.

To be sent to by mail at : fabio.spadini@unifr.ch