Job Vacancy: Research Fellow in Bioarchaeology and Heritage

Applications are sought for an 0.8FTE Research Fellow with excellent knowledge of bioarchaeology and skeletal collections in African museums to join the Leverhulme Trust project The Cultural Cost of Development. This is the first project to offer a long-term analysis of development impacts on archaeology while probing the real-time decision-making processes behind them. 

The post-holder will work closely with the PI, Rachel King and project Co-I, Keneiloe Molopyane (University of the Witwatersrand) to compile and analyse records of South African museum collections that have accessioned pre-colonial human remains exhumed during development projects. They will undertake research using open access data from the project database according to project objectives and compile records of relevant skeletal collections from South African museums including, but not limited to, Iziko, the National Cultural History Museum, and Albany Museum.

The post-holder will analyse select collections to ascertain physical impacts sustained during exhumation and/or their accession into heritage institutions. They will also contribute to science communication activities including, but not limited to, creating content for a project YouTube series and podcast episodes.

The post is available from 1 May 2023 and is funded for 18 months in the first instance.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in archaeology/bioarchaeology, and have an excellent knowledge of osteoarchaeology and experience in analysing skeletal remains for palaeopathology including trauma and infectious disease, and demonstrated knowledge of and research experience in African museums. 

Further information

• Further details of the post and the online application facility are available on the UCL website.
• Enquiries about the vacancy may be directed to Rachel King (rachel.king@ucl.ac.uk). 
• Queries about the application process may be directed to the Institute's HR Administrator, Louisa Goldsmith.