General Information
Job Title: Postdoctoral Position “Water Management in a Mediterranean Capital in the 2nd Millennium BCE: Annotated Catalogue and Mapped Inventory of Hydraulic Structures in Ugarit” (M/F)
Reference: UMR7192-HELVIR-004
Number of Positions: 1
Location: Paris 5th
arrondissement Publication Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Contract Type: Fixed-term Research Contract
Contract Duration: 6 months
Expected Start Date: January 1, 2026
Work Schedule: Full-time
Salary: Between €3,081.33 and €4,291.70 gross per month
Required Education: PhD
Required Experience: 1 to 4 years
CN Section(s): 32 – Ancient and Medieval Worlds
Missions
The postdoctoral research will be conducted within the framework of the research program entitled “Water Policies in the Near East, from Sumer to the Present Day” (a recipient of the 2023 grant from the Collège de France’s Sustainable Common Future Program). It will be specifically dedicated to the “Ugarit” component of the program and will aim to compile all the archaeological documentation (scientific analysis of excavation archives) relating to water management in the city of Ugarit.
This component is led by the Franco-Syrian archaeological mission at Ras Shamra – Ugarit (Syria).
The scientific field of work is geoarchaeology, specializing in water management. The work will be based on the analysis of documentation related to the excavations carried out at the Ras Shamra tell since 1929, under the supervision of V. Matoïan.
Activities
The research activity will have several objectives:
• to collaborate on the project to gather and analyze archival and published documentation in order to establish a catalogue of the hydraulic structures uncovered on the tell of Ras Shamra, ancient Ugarit: stone and ceramic pipes, wells, basins, vats, sumps, bathhouses, etc.;
• to produce a synthesis (mapping, use and consumption, quantification) on water management in a Mediterranean capital of the Bronze Age;
• this reference document will be used in particular for the development of a field research program when excavations can resume;
• The objective will be to publish this reference document in the Ras Shamra–Ugarit series (Peeters Publishers);
• Updating the GIS for the city of Ugarit;
• Participation in seminars and the preparation of the closing exhibition of the Sustainable Common Future program (to be held in early 2027)
. Participation in the closing symposium of the Sustainable Common Future program (which will be held in February 2027).
SKILLS
Applicants must hold a doctorate in one of the following fields: geoarchaeology or archaeology, or geomatics.
They must possess a strong knowledge of the archaeology of the Levant during the Bronze and Iron Ages, and more specifically of the Ugaritic civilization.
Experience in the geoarchaeology of ancient hydraulics is required.
A solid foundation in geomatics (QGIS or ArcGIS) is essential.
The ability to conduct research independently must be demonstrated by at least one publication as first or second author related to the project’s theme and activities.
Excellent written French is essential, as is fluency in spoken and written English.
The ability to work collaboratively and within a multidisciplinary framework is indispensable.
Work context
This postdoctoral project is part of a collaboration between two research units – UMR 7192 PROCLAC – Near East, Caucasus: Languages, Archaeology, Cultures (CNRS, Collège de France, EPHE-PSL) and UMR 5133 Archéorient – and the Franco-Syrian archaeological mission at Ras Shamra – Ugarit. It is integrated into a broader research project aimed at deepening our understanding of the northern Levant during the Late Bronze Age.
From a scientific perspective, its objective is to advance knowledge of human-environment dynamics by combining archaeological, geographical, and historical approaches. This research adopts a geoarchaeological and historical approach, seeking to document the relationship between humans and their environment and water management in a late Bronze Age Mediterranean capital. This position is part of a cooperative and training framework involving French, European, and Syrian researchers.
The work environment (workstation) will be provided by the host research unit (PROCLAC, funded by the “Avenir Commun Durable” call for projects).
The recruited individual will join the UMR 7192 PROCLAC team – Near East, Caucasus: Languages, Archaeology, Cultures (CNRS, Collège de France).
Scientific supervision will be provided by Valérie Matoïan, French director of the Franco-Syrian archaeological mission at Ras Shamra-Ugarit and head of Team 2 at UMR PROCLAC.
