Post Doctoral Research Associate

The purpose of this post is to assist and support the project teams at both Newcastle and Northwest universities in the processes of exploring the development of a potential research framework and strategy to inform and stimulate future archaeological research on the Great Wall. These processes will require the post-holder to also work with a wider group of scholars from other research institutions in both the UK and China.

The successful applicant will act as Research Associate for the Developing a New Framework for Great Wall Archaeological Research project, led by Newcastle University in partnership with Northwest University, Xi’an, China.

The project, which is funded through the AHRC’s Catalyst programme, has evolved from, and is part of, a wider collaborative initiative between Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site and the Great Wall of China World Heritage Site, entitled ‘Wall to Wall’. The Wall to Wall initiative has been ongoing since 2017 and has brought together academics and heritage professionals responsible for all aspects of the management of the two World Heritage Sites. The collaborative relationship between Newcastle and Northwest universities has been developing over a similar period, hence while this post has a specific focus, its scope will encompass contributing to those wider collaborative initiatives.

You must have a PhD in archaeology or heritage management or relevant career experience, and an understanding of the methods of interdisciplinary data collation and interrogation. Ideally, you have research or professional experience of collaborative and/or interdisciplinary projects. You must have the ability to work as part of a team and have good communication skills.

The post will be offered on a 0.2 FTE (part-time) basis for 30 months, and will be hosted within Newcastle University’s School of History, Classics and Archaeology more information about the School can be found here: School of History, Classics and Archaeology | School of History, Classics and Archaeology | Newcastle University. The candidate will start work in December 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. While it is expected that the post will require a standard pattern of work equivalent to one day per week, if the successful applicant wishes to participate in the workshops in China that pattern could be flexed to allow that.

For informal enquiries about the position, please contact David Brough (David.Brough2@newcastle.ac.uk).

Advert information