Research Assistant/Research Associate (Fixed Term)

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 24 months in the first instance. 

The McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research invites applications for a full-time, fixed-term Research Associate in Prehistoric Cycladic Archaeometallurgy, funded by the Leventis Foundation and the McDonald Institute. 

The postholder will (i) complete the scientific analysis and interpretation of metallic and metallurgical material from excavations at Ayia Irini on the Cycladic island of Kea, Greece, and (ii) write up and fully publish these results. 

They will work under the co-supervision at the McDonald Institute of Professor Cyprian Broodbank, Disney Professor of Archaeology and Institute Director, with expertise in Cycladic archaeology, and Professor Marcos Martinón-Torres, Pitt-Rivers Professor of Archaeological Science. External supervision will be provided by Professor Natalie Abell (University of Michigan; Director of publications at Ayia Irini), and Dr Evangelia Kiriatzi (Director, Fitch Laboratory of Archaeological Science, British School at Athens). 

The appointee will join a thriving community of interdisciplinary researchers providing ample opportunities for collaboration, training and publication. We seek a highly organised, self-driven individual with competence in both Cycladic Prehistory and archaeometallurgy. 

Appointment at Research Associate is dependent on having a relevant PhD by the start of the appointment, including applicants who have submitted their thesis but not yet received their PhD at the time of interview (in which case appointment will initially be made as Research Assistant (Grade 5) and amended to Research Associate (Grade 7) when the PhD is awarded). 

Please upload your CV, covering letter and a writing sample (maximum 5,000 words) as part of your application. 

Interviews: Week of 26th October 2026 or shortly thereafter 

Starting date: 1st December 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter 

We particularly encourage women and /or candidates from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background to apply for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level within our University.

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

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Professor Cyprian Broodbank (cb122@cam.ac.uk) or Professor Marcos Martinón-Torres (m.martinon-torres@arch.cam.ac.uk). 

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the HSPS HR team: hr@hsps.cam.ac.uk 

Please quote reference JC51118 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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