Postdoctoral Researcher in Palaeoecology - School of Archaeology & the Radical Humanities Laboratory

About this position

36 Months Fixed-Term, Whole-Time Post

Applications are invited for the position of Post-Doctoral Researcher in Palaeoecology on the DeepCattle project, a major new 5-year project funded by an ERC Consolidator Grant. DeepCattle will break new ground in global environmental history by tracing the origins of commercial cattle farming. It investigates how the growth of beef and dairy production in rural areas of Europe fed trade and the rise of cities.

At the same time, it will investigate the consequences of increasingly commercial cattle production for society and biodiversity in rural landscapes. DeepCattle is a highly interdisciplinary project, combining historical and archaeological methods with palaeoecology (palynology and sedimentary ancient DNA). The project is led by Prof Eugene Costello (UCC) and involves collaboration with Dr Benjamin Gearey (UCC) and Dr Peter Heintzman (Centre for Palaeogenetics, Stockholm University).

We are seeking a Post-Doctoral Researcher in Palaeoecology to join our interdisciplinary team for three years and work with us to trace the expanding environmental footprint of cattle farming since the Middle Ages. The Post-Doctoral Researcher will assist in lake and peatland coring in Ireland, Scotland and Sweden and be responsible for palynological analysis of the cores at UCC. In collaboration with the Centre for Palaeogenetics (CPG) in Stockholm University, the Post-Doctoral Researcher will also undertake sedimentary ancient DNA analysis on selected cores.

The Post-Doctoral Researcher will have expertise in palaeoecology, including palynology, and will be interested in working with the team to integrate palaeoecological data with historical and archaeological evidence. The Post-Doctoral Researcher will also be motivated by the opportunity to develop skills in sedimentary ancient DNA at a world-class facility in CPG Stockholm.

Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.

Project - DeepCattle: The Deep History of Commercial Cattle Farming in Europe.

For an information package including full details of the post, selection criteria and application process see

https://ore.ucc.ie/

The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.

Informal inquiries can be made in confidence to Prof. Eugene Costello; Email:

ecostello@ucc.ie

For further information on the hiring unit, please see:

https://www.ucc.ie/en/radicalhumanitieslaboratory/

University College Cork is committed to being a fully inclusive global university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are core values under our UCC Strategic Plan 2023-2028. UCC holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advancing equality in higher education.

We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of age, care-giving status, disability, ethnicity, gender and/or gender identity or expression status, nationality, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion/creed, and/or sexual orientation. We are committed to supporting all staff through flexible working schemes, family-friendly policies, training and development, and staff networks.

We value the enrichment that comes from a diverse community and seek to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of each individual in line with equality legislation. We encourage applicants to consult our Dignity and Respect Policy and learn more about our EDI related initiatives

Salary:

€47,273 - €53,925 p.a (IUA PD1 Research Salary Scale)

Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.

We encourage you to reach out to us directly should you require assistance or reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process.

Please note interviews will be conducted either online via Microsoft Teams or in person in the first instance. Candidates may also be required to attend interviews in person if an interview takes place online. Candidates will be notified as appropriate

Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal (

https://ore.ucc.ie/

). Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to

hrresearchqueries@ucc.ie

quoting the job-title.

Candidates should apply, in confidence,

before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday, 20th November 2026.

No late applications will be accepted.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on University approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector.