Research Associate in Archaeology of Later Pastoralism in Eastern Africa (Fixed term)

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 36 months in the first instance.

The McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research invites applications for a fixed-term Post-Doctoral Research Associate in the archaeology of later pastoralism in eastern Africa, with a specific focus on Kenya. This is a fixed term appointment for 36 months. The post holder will work as part of the UKRI Frontier Research funded project LHEAAPS- Landscape Historical Ecology and Archaeology of African Pastoral Societies in Kenya led by Professor Paul Lane (University of Cambridge).

The post holder is expected to work in multiple locations, with the main base at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research in Cambridge but also including research trips and data collection in Kenya.

Key responsibilities will include the documentation and analysis of Pastoral Iron Age settlement systems, diets, and/or mobility patterns in northern and central Kenya using a combination of archaeological, geoarchaeological, bioarchaeological, ethnohistorical and/or remote sensing research methods. The ability to work as part of a diverse team, sharing ideas and data, and a willingness to undertake and lead archaeological surveys and excavations are essential. Applications are particularly encouraged from individuals based in the region and early career researchers trained in at least one of these subfields: geoarchaeology; isotopic analyses; landscape archaeology and GIS; zooarchaeology; archaeological proteomics.

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5, Point 38 £34,132) progressing to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of PhD award. 

Starting date: 1st August 2025 or as soon as possibly thereafter. For more information please view the Further Particulars.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Professor Paul Lane, Project PI at pjl29@cam.ac.uk.

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

Please quote reference JC45683 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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