Application Deadline: 18 March 2026
Details
Unravelling past interactions between communities and climate is one of the most compelling and impactful areas of current archaeological research. Ancient Rome represents a rare and neglected opportunity to compare its unusually extensive historical and archaeological record covering more than a millennium with a longitudinal study of rainfall records. Key factors underpinning the city of Rome’s growth and eventual decline were sensitive to rainfall variability, which could have exerted an important influence on Roman history. This project’s objective is to remedy this neglect by addressing the following questions:
• What changes in rainfall occurred in Rome’s water catchment during a key historical period: the growth and decline of the Roman Empire?
• How did Roman water management adapt to climatic, environmental and socio-political changes?
• What was the city of Rome’s long-term relationship with water and how did this shape its development?
• How does this contextualize contemporary climate adaptation?
These questions will be answered through a ground-breaking comparison of calcium carbonate (limestone) deposits from caves (speleothems) and river-fed aqueducts, analysed together with historical and archaeological evidence.
The project will pioneer new methods on carbonates from Rome to produce the first high-resolution, local record of rainfall for the city. Multiple climate indicators (proxies, e.g. oxygen isotope ratios, fluorescence and trace elements) derived from multiple radiometrically dated speleothems will be combined to produce a rainfall record at decadal resolution. Correlation of major hydrological events between speleothems and aqueduct limestones will improve the dating precision of both records. The faster-growing aqueduct carbonates should also preserve short-lived events not visible in the speleothems. Aqueduct carbonates also contain dark layers thought to be controlled by rainfall over sub-seasonal time scales, allowing high-resolution reconstruction of past rainfall patterns. These layers have wave[1]like forms that record changing flowrates, recording past water management (Keenan-Jones et al. 2022). We are looking for a candidate with background in sedimentological and geochemical data acquisition, and a willingness to learn the application of low-temperature geochemical techniques. Previous experience in thin section petrography and/or geochemical techniques will be advantageous. A track record of academic engagement with the research community can be a plus to this role. The successful candidate will be based at the University of Manchester and will join an international team of researchers with access to world-class analytical facilities in the UK (Manchester and NICEST laboratory at Northumbria University) and France (LSCE climate laboratory in Paris), where all the necessary training will be provided. They will have the opportunity to help develop new analytical methods for paleoclimate analysis, as well as gain commercial experience, through industry partners in the UK and Romania.
Academic Criteria:
- Applicants should hold a First class Bachelor’s (Honours) degree (or overseas equivalent)
- Master’s degree in a relevant subject – with an overall average of 65% or above, a minimum mark of 65% in your dissertation and no mark below 55% (or overseas equivalent)
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience in petrographic (microscopic) and geochemical analysis of carbonates
- Experience with the archaeology of the Mediterranean and Italy in particular
- Field experience in Rome would be an advantage
- Experience with Roman archaeology and technology, especially water technology
English Language:
All applicants must provide evidence of English language proficiency:
- IELTS test minimum scores – 7.0 overall, 6.5 other sections.
- TOEFL (internet based) test minimum scores – 100 overall, 25 in all sections.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) UKVI/SELT or PTE Academic minimum scores – 76 overall, 76 in writing, 70 in other sections.
- To demonstrate that you have taken an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a majority English speaking nation within the last 5 years.
- Other tests may be considered.
The application deadline will be Midnight (GMT) on 18/03/26. Apply online for PhD Archaeology.
Under Section 6 Research Details select ‘Yes’ to Are you applying for an advertised project. Insert the project title as stated at the top of the advert. It is recommended when entering the name of the supervisor to simply enter this and not use the supervisor search function.
Indicate in Section 9 Funding Sources your intention to apply for the PDS Award.
Please ensure all required supporting documents are included at the time of submission, as incomplete applications may not be considered. Your application must include the following:
- Bachelor’s academic transcript and certificate.
- Master’s academic transcript and certificate. If your Master’s degree is pending, please provide an interim transcript.
- If you have completed more than one Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, provide evidence for each. If your transcripts are in a language other than English, you must provide an official English translation. If your weighted average mark or GPA is not included on these documents, include an official document from your university verifying this information.
- An academic CV
- Supporting statement of a maximum of 700 words indicating why you would like to undertake this studentship and how your focus, experience, and skills link to the research outlined above
- Example of a piece of academic writing produced by you of up to 5,000 words (you may consider submitting two shorter pieces if this deals separately with conceptual and empirical analyses). This may be an academic essay or chapter(s) from a dissertation, in which case, an abstract or introduction outlining the context/aims/research questions of the study must also be included. In Section 12, upload the Writing Sample under Research Statement/Proposal and label it clearly as “Writing Sample.”
- You must nominate two academic referees (including one from your most recent institution).
- A PhD Proposal is not required.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please contact Prof Duncan Keenan-Jones (duncan.keenan-jones@manchester.ac.uk).
Interviews are expected to take place in May 2026.
Further details are available on our website: President’s Doctoral Scholar Award | Faculty of Humanities | The University of Manchester
Equality, diversity and inclusion statement.
Funding Notes
The President’s Doctoral Scholar Award provides full funding for tuition fees and a stipend at the UKRI rate plus a £1,000 stipend enhancement for 3.5 years starting in September 2026. Candidates will need to cover relocation and associated costs (e.g. visa, health surcharges).
