Postdoctoral Research Associate (Textile Archaeology)

Department
The Department of Archaeology at the University of York is ranked 26th in the world and 5th in the UK in the QS rankings. Our vibrant, diverse and international community consists of over 100 staff and about 600 students. We carry out international, impact-oriented and interdisciplinary teaching and research of the highest quality through our strong network of partnerships. The student experience is of paramount importance to the Department and we maintain a high level of student satisfaction. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values and we promote a collegial environment in which staff and students feel supported and empowered to achieve their full potential. We are proud of our Athena Swan Silver Award and strive to provide a working environment which facilitates wellbeing and allows all staff and students to contribute fully, flourish, and excel. We aim for a sustainable future.

Role
This Research Associate will play a key role in ‘Seeing the Dead’, an AHRC-funded project which aims to investigate the funerary custom attested in Roman Yorkshire in the 3rd and 4th centuries CE of pouring liquid gypsum over the bodies of adults and children in stone or lead coffins before burial. The project brings together experts in archaeology, bioarchaeology, chemistry, biology, and digital heritage to investigate gypsum casings and their associated preserved human remains to better understand the cultural, ritual, and practical implications of this funerary practice.

The Research Associate in textile archaeology will examine all surfaces of the gypsum casings, complete and fragmentary, for fabric imprints that reveal structures (textile weave, animal or vegetable fibres, borders, and selvedges). They will document the casing details, identify the nature and function of the fabrics, the technical tradition involved in their manufacture, and the types of garments and shrouds chosen. Remains of embedded textiles in the casings or in the sediments of coffins will be selected and sampled for microscopy and spectroscopy for better visualisation and analysis. The Research Associate will generate new knowledge about the nature and function of the burial textiles and how they reflect the social status of the people in them.

The post holder will benefit from networking and presenting opportunities through conferences and workshops and publishing their results. They will work closely with a PDRA based in the Department of Chemistry who will conduct spectroscopy and chemical analysis to investigate surviving organic residues, such as botanicals, unguents, or dyes on the gypsum casings.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• Undergraduate degree in archaeology or other relevant discipline.
• PhD in archaeology, textile conservation, or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of textiles in archaeological contexts to engage in high-quality research.
• Ability to write up research work for publication in high profile journals.
• Competency to make presentations at conferences or exhibit work in other appropriate events.
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently using own initiative.

Interview date: Week commencing 21 April 2025.

For informal enquiries: please contact Maureen Carroll (maureen.carroll@york.ac.uk).

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

We also encourage applications from women for senior roles.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

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