PhD Studentship in Archaeology and Ancient History at University of Leicester, UK
AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Award PhD Studentship in Archaeology and Ancient History
School of Archaeology and Ancient History
Supervisors
Dr Mark Gillings and Mr Rob Wilson-North
Start Date
October 2012
Entry Requirements
UK/EU Applicants Only
Closing Date for Applications
03 September 2012 - APPLY NOW
Fields, Farms, and Megaliths: Unravelling the Unique Neolithic - Early Bronze Age Landscapes of Exmoor, SW Britain
The University of Leicester and the Exmoor National Park Authority are pleased to invite applications from outstanding postgraduates for an AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Award PhD studentship, to commence October 2012.
This three year studentship will pay full-time University UK/EU tuition fees and include an annual tax free stipend at standard AHRC rates (currently £13,590 a year). In addition, the AHRC will make a further annual maintenance contribution of £550 and Exmoor National Park Authority will provide an annual bursary of £1,000.
Research Areas and Supervision
The project will carry out the first detailed synthesis, analysis and interpretation of Exmoor's unique Neolithic-Bronze Age archaeology. The prehistoric archaeology of Exmoor has long been noted as somehow 'different' and recent survey and excavation work, coupled with the results of the National Mapping Programme and newly captured LiDAR datasets has confirmed this – hinting at a complex set of relationships between megalithic settings (monuments), clearance structures, boundaries and emerging landscapes of settlement and farming. Yet the precise character of this difference and what it can tell us about developing relations between people and landscape in this upland zone during this period has escaped sustained study. The project will address this gap in understanding through the production of a detailed synthesis of the corpus of archaeological and environmental information relating to the Neolithic and Bronze Age archaeology of the moor.
The successful applicant will be encouraged to design and carry out elements of original fieldwork and make research visits to relevant museum and archive collections as well as participate in relevant and agreed Exmoor National Park Authority organised activities, making their research accessible to wider public audiences and users.
The successful applicant will be registered at the University of Leicester and supervised by Dr Mark Gillings. Mr Rob Wilson-North will be the Exmoor National Park Authority supervisor. Although based in Leicester, the successful applicant will also use the Exmoor National Park Authority as a research base, and will be given workspace, training and support here for the duration of their doctoral research.
Detailed Project Description
Entry Requirements
Applicants must have a first-class or high upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent qualification) and meet the University's standard English language entry requirements. Applicants should a Masters degree in a relevant discipline or be able to show evidence that they will achieve this before October 2012.
It is expected that applicants should be able to demonstrate that they have good research and practical fieldwork skills (survey and excavation); familiarity with archives and databases; a good awareness of current debates within British Prehistory (with particular focus on the Neolithic – Bronze Age).
The studentship is only available to applicants who are eligible to pay the UK/EU tuition fee - i.e., those who are permanently resident in the UK or another EU country. Please note that applicants from the EU (excluding the UK) must have been resident in the UK for at least three years prior to commencing the studentship to receive both the stipend and fee components of this award; EU applicants who do not meet this criteria will receive the fee waiver component only.
Applicants from outside the EU are not eligible for the studentship unless they have been granted permanent UK residency/citizenship. For more advice on applicable eligibility criteria, please see the AHRC Guide to Postgraduate Funding.
The studentship is for full-time study only and applicants must be able to commence their studies in October 2012.
Informal Enquiries
Informal enquiries are welcomed - please contact:
Rachel Godfrey, Postgraduate Administrator
rem17@le.ac.uk
+44 (0)116 252 2611
Apply Now
To apply, simply follow our three-point checklist:
1.Applicants are not required to submit a full research proposal - applicants should instead provide a brief personal statement (of no more than two pages) which includes:
i.evidence of how and why you feel you could develop this area of research
ii.details of any relevant research experience (including any research projects that you have undertaken - for example, as part of a previous degree)
iii.details of any academic work you have published or which is currently in press awaiting publication
2.Prepare your supporting documents - including an up to date curriculum vitae
3.Submit your online application or apply by post
The closing date for receipt of applications is 12:00 03 September 2012. It is anticipated that interviews will be held 20 September 2012 and applicants should be available for interview at that time.
IMPORTANT - In the Fees and Financial Support section of the application, you must state that you wish to be considered for the "October 2012 AHRC PhD Studentship Ref. Mark Gillings"
http://www2.le.ac.uk/study/research/funding/exmoor