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Postdoctoral Scholar in Ancient Eastern Mediterranean Studies

Job #JPF10400
  • NR EASTERN LANGS & CULTURES / L&S Humanities / UCLA

Position overview

Position title: Postdoctoral Scholar - Employee
Salary range: See Table 23 for the salary scales for this position: [https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-oct-2025-scales/t23.pdf]
Review timeline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with full consideration given to those received by September 30, 2025. The position will begin in early 2026, with flexibility around the start date.

Application Window

Open date: June 16, 2025

Next review date: Wednesday, Oct 1, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Wednesday, Dec 31, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The UCLA Department of Near Eastern Languages & Cultures invites applications for a two-year Postdoctoral Scholar position in the archaeology and history of the Levant and Eastern Mediterranean focused on the first millennium BCE (ca. 1200–330 BCE). The post-doctoral scholar will conduct independent research within this temporal and geographic framework. This role also offers the opportunity to contribute to ongoing research projects in conjunction with the holder of the Kershaw Chair of Ancient Eastern Mediterranean Studies, including the organization of a symposium in the second year. We welcome applicants whose research will complement but also expand beyond those of existing faculty in the department.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Conduct independent research within the area defined for the position and present findings at relevant workshops, seminars, and conferences.
  • Contribute to the intellectual community at UCLA through active participation in NELC departmental activities and those of related institutes, including but not limited to the Cotsen Institute of Archeology, Alan D. Leve Center for Jewish Studies, and the Pourdavoud Institute for the Study of the Iranian World.
  • Possibility to co-organize symposium and co-edit proceedings with the current Kershaw Chair holder during the second year of post-doc.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications
  • Ph.D. in Near Eastern Archaeology or a related field by the start date.
  • Strong background in ancient Near Eastern studies, relevant languages, and archaeology.
  • Excellent writing and organizational skills.
Preferred qualifications
  • Strong organizational, verbal, and presentation skills.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
  • Exceptional multitasking and time management skills to meet deadlines.
  • Professional demeanor with excellent interpersonal communication skills.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

  • Cover Letter

  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Statement of Research - Statement of Research Interests and Accomplishments, highlighting relevance to the position.

  • Reference check authorization release form - Complete and upload the reference check authorization release form

  • UCLA Mission Statement - As the nation's premier public research university, UC's mission is the creation, dissemination, preservation and application of knowledge for the betterment of our global society. We have a particular responsibility to the people of the state of California which we express in the excellence of the education we provide, the impact of the research we do, the comprehensive, life-saving medical services we provide, and the public service mission we are devoted to. The University of California promotes the social mobility of its students, equips them with the tools and experience that furthers their ambitions, and regards their accomplishments across the life span as evidence of the profoundly positive impact of higher education.

    The UCLA campus has expressed these goals in its strategic plan as follows:

    Deepen our engagement with Los Angeles
    Expand our reach as a global university
    Enhance our research and creative activities
    Elevate how we teach
    Become a more effective institution

    Prompt for candidates for recruitment:

    Reflecting on your personal and professional experiences, highlight your past contributions and future commitments to advancing UCLA's mission as embodied in the 2023-28 strategic plan. These accomplishments and ambitions may be discussed in the context of describing your teaching, scholarship, and service

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)

References will be contacted upon request from Search Committee.

Apply link: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF10400

Help contact: lenneian@humnet.ucla.edu

About UCLA

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

Job location

Los Angeles, CA