Professor of Cultural and Natural Heritage

Location: Department of Archaeology, Durham University, Durham, UK

Durham is an incredible place to define your career. The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.  

Heritage 360 is a new and exciting research platform funded through Durham University’s Strategic Research Fund. Dedicated to holistic approaches to heritage, and in particular to drawing together research on natural and cultural heritage, Heritage 360 is supporting senior posts in six academic departments (Archaeology, Biosciences, Chemistry, Geography, History, Modern Languages and Cultures). Successful postholders will be departmentally-based but for the four-year duration of the initiative will be focused on research, with relatively limited teaching load (in agreement with department management).

The post

The Department of Archaeology at Durham University seeks to appoint a talented individual to the role of Professor of Cultural and Natural Heritage. We welcome applications from those with research and teaching interests that integrate the fields of cultural and natural heritage with archaeology. We are particularly eager to hear from applicants with a focus on how research can mobilise traditional technologies and knowledge systems in natural and cultural landscape management and collaborate and undertake co-production with a range of non-academic stakeholders in heritage management. The post-holder will have a track record of delivering evidence-based approaches, transcending disciplinary boundaries with evidence of success in securing funding from relevant bodies, and potential to secure significant external income in the future.

The post-holder will also have led internationally significant field projects, examining aspects of research into integrating cultur al and natural heritage with archaeology. Evidence of leadership in practice and translating research into management plans or evidence-based policy making domains, and stakeholder engagement through equitable partnerships, is also welcomed. This post offers an exciting opportunity to work in a research-intensive department with colleagues working across heritage science, museum studies, conservation, heritage management and archaeology. For more information, please visit our Department pages at https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/archaeology/.

About you

We seek a visionary academic leader holding a relevant PhD in archaeology, heritage or a related subject, or equivalent experience with significant post-qualification research experience. You must be a recognised international authority in the integration of cultural and natural heritage with archaeology. The successful candidate will demonstrate the intellectual capacity and strategic leadership required to secure major external research income and possess a proven record of demonstrable impact on policy or communities beyond academia. A strong commitment to academic citizenship and EDI values is essential.

Application process

You will be required to upload a covering letter, CV, personal research plan, two of your most significant recent published written works, two published or unpublished evidence-based policy or practice reports, and an EDI & Values statement as part of your online application. Please see the Job Ad for further details at https://durham.taleo.net/careersection/du_ext/jobdetail.ftl?job=25001656&tz=GMT+00:00&tzname=Europe/London

Closing Date: 31-Jan-2026, 11:59:00 PM

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