Research Assistant/Research Associate in Statistical Modelling in Archaeology (Fixed Term)

The McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research invites applications for a fixed-term Research Assistant/Associate in Statistical Modelling in Archaeology. The post holder will work as part of the ERC Synergy Project 'FORAGER - Investigating alternative trajectories for human demographic growth in temperate northern Holocene societies', co-led by Prof. Enrico R. Crema (University of Cambridge), Prof. Oliver Craig (University of York), Prof. Peter Jordan (University of Lund), and Prof. Anna-Marie Prentiss (University of Montana).

This is a unique opportunity to join an international and interdisciplinary team of over 30 scientists to study the causes and consequences of population booms and busts amongst prehistoric hunter-gatherers in Japan, the Baltic, the North-West Pacific Coast and the North-East Atlantic Coast of North America. The post holder will work primarily at the McDonald Institute in Cambridge but is expected to participate to annual project team meetings as well as shorter research trips and conferences. 

The Research Assistant/Associate in Statistical Modelling in Archaeology will work primarily on Work Package 1  Demography in close collaboration with Prof. Crema, developing custom Bayesian models to reconstruct spatial and temporal variations in hunter-gatherer demography using a range proxies (e.g. 14C dates, residential, and skeletal data). They are expected to work closely with other members of the Project in relevant areas (e.g. site-location modelling), in particular with Cambridge team members in the Zoology and Geography department.

Appointment at the Research Associate level is dependent on the award of a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at the Research Assistant level-Grade 5, which will be amended to Research Associate-Grade 7, once the award of the PhD has been conferred.

The role holder is expected to possess relevant research experience and strong statistical and computational literacy. We are looking in particular for applicants with proven ability to develop custom Bayesian models for archaeological applications. The post is suitable for researchers with a background in computational & quantitative archaeology, statistical science, or related disciplines, with an interest in prehistoric demography.

Please provide a two-page cover letter detailing how you meet the person specification. Your cover letter must be organised into subheadings for each of the essential and desired criteria. Please also provide a CV outlining your qualifications, employment history and research outputs, and the names of two referees.

Starting date: 1st October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. 

Interviews: Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an online interview to take place  in the 1st week of September.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 5 years in the first instance.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above. 

If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please contact Prof. Enrico Crema (erc62@cam.ac.uk).

Please quote reference JC50150 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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