Each year, KUDAR offers opportunities to new graduate students to pursue training and research topics in maritime archaeology in our center at Koç University, in Istanbul.  Combined with the comprehensive curriculum in the Department of Archaeology and History of Art, our students are able to take advantage of the University’s resources, and its proximity to a variety of research centers and archaeological projects in the Mediterranean region.

We are seeking applicants who propose a research agenda that compliments the center’s strengths in maritime archaeology in the Mediterranean, which includes desk-based and field research, as well as topics in conservation science.

Interested individuals are encouraged to apply for this open call through the Koç University application system; the approximate deadline for applications will be May 4, 2024.  Successful candidates will begin in the Autumn of 2024, and will receive a full tuition waiver, a monthly stipend, and possible housing on campus.  Questions about the post may be directed to Dr. Matthew Harpster (mharpster@ku.edu.tr).

In addition, we also seek applicants who are motivated to pursue the following topic:

Marine and coastal sites on the World Heritage List are found around the world.  Very commonly, these sites are valued for their environmental characteristics or terrestrial cultural heritage, whereas associated underwater cultural heritage is often coincidental or not considered at all.  As part of the ongoing efforts of a working group in the International Council on Museums and Sites (ICOMOS) presently investigating this imbalance between underwater cultural heritage (UCH) sites and the World Heritage List, we are seeking a pro-active, motivated individual to pursue MA research incorporating three elements:

1.  Identifying which marine or coastal sites on the World Heritage List may contain UCH, although this is not evident in either their inscription files or management plans;

2.  Identify the challenges of inscribing or inserting marine or coastal heritage sites into the World Heritage List;

3.  Based upon the results of 1 and 2, make recommendations regarding how UCH may be better integrated into the World Heritage List.

Interested individuals are encouraged to apply for this position through the Koç University application system; the approximate deadline for applications will be May 4, 2024.  One successful candidate for this specific post will begin in the Autumn of 2024, and will receive a full tuition waiver, a monthly stipend, and possible housing on campus.  Questions about the post may be directed to Dr. Matthew Harpster (mharpster@ku.edu.tr).