Research Assistant / Associate in Archaeological Glass (Fixed Term)

Fixed-term: The funds for these posts are available for 24 months.

The McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research invites applications for a fixed-term Research Assistant / Associate in Archaeological Glass. This is a fixed term appointment for 24 months. The post holder will work as part of the ERC awarded UKRI funded Frontiers Research Starting Grant ENTANGLED: Entangled materialities and new global histories from southern Africa led by Dr Abigail Moffett (University of Cambridge).

ENTANGLED is a five year (2024-2029) interdisciplinary project combining scientific analyses of a range of archaeological materials with historical and ethnographic research to address connections between southern Africa and the Indian Ocean World during the Global Middle Ages (500-1500 CE) (https://entangledproject.com/). The core team (the PI, two post-doctoral researchers, one doctoral student and the project coordinator) are based at the University of Cambridge. The core team works closely with several collaborators based in at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research as well as collaborators at the University of Eduardo Mondlane (Mozambique) and several other institutions. The project has a strong base in Mozambique, where much of the research is carried out.

We seek a rigorous, creative and collaborative researcher to join our team. The post holder will lead on the analyses of the itineraries of glass beads and glass objects from the southern African region. Drawing on a range of methodologies the research associate will examine the provenance, manufacture and uses of glass beads and objects from the region. This multi-model study will form the basis for addressing the materiality of global entanglements in southern Africa during the Global Middle Ages.

Research skills in material culture studies and the scientific analyses of glass, including compositional analysis using techniques such as SEM-EDS and LA-ICP-MS, an ability to thrive as part of a diverse team and a willingness to contribute collectively to broader research agendas are essential requirements. The post holder is expected to work in multiple locations, with the main base at the McDonald Institute in Cambridge but also including research and data collection trips in southern Africa. Analyses will focus on objects from museum collections and recently excavated material from the Entangled fieldwork in southern Mozambique. They will work closely with the PI, a number of collaborators and members of the University of Cambridge's Pitt-Rivers Laboratory for Archaeological Science.

The post holder must have a PhD (or have submitted their thesis) at the time of appointment. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.

Starting date: 01/10/2025, or as soon as possibly thereafter. 

We particularly welcome applications from candidates from a BAME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our department.

If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please contact Dr Abigail Moffett (am3285@cam.ac.uk)

Please quote reference JC45717 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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