Job Vacancy: Research Fellow in Archaeobotany

A Research Fellow is sought to support the ERC-awarded and UKRI-underwritten project “DREAM: Discovering the (R)Evolution of Eurasian Metallurgy: Social and Environmental Impact of the Bronze Age Steppes Metal-Driven Economy”.

The project is based at the UCL Institute of Archaeology, with collaborative networks spanning UK, Europe, US and Central Asia. The project, led by PI: Miljana Radivojevic, started in October 2024 and will run until September 2029.

This post-holder will work closely with the PI and will be expected to conduct high quality archaeological and archaeobotanical research on Bronze Age Eurasian Steppe human-environment interactions.

The primary responsibility of the post-holder is to collect and analyse archaeobotanical materials (primarily macrobotanical, with reference to microbotanical remains as appropriate) from Bronze Age sites in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and beyond, where access allows (this will require spending periods of study in this region, at archaeological excavations and in state archives), the analysis of which will contribute to answering the research questions of the project, and to bring these to publication.

The post is full-time (36.5 hours per week) with the possibility to work from home one day per week. The post is available from 1 May 2025 and is funded for 2 years until 30 April 2027.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in Archaeobotany with experience in the analysis of archaeobotanical materials (primarily macrobotanical), preferable with experience in wood charcoal. This appointment will involve periods of fieldwork in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Candidates with a demonstrable interest in Bronze Age archaeology and archaeobotany are particularly encouraged to apply.

Further information

• Further details of the post and the online application facility are available on the UCL website»
• Informal enquiries about the post may be addressed to Miljana Radivojević, at m.radivojevic@ucl.ac.uk
• Enquiries about the application process may be directed to the Institute's HR Administrator, Louisa Goldsmith.