Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Professorship of the Deep History and Archaeology of Africa

UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in the UK is seeking candidates for the Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Professorship in the Deep History and Archaeology of Africa. This role requires an outstanding research record in African archaeology, a PhD, and a commitment to innovative research and teaching. The successful candidate will contribute to building a vibrant research environment and engage with issues of heritage and sustainability. A competitive salary will be offered.

Qualifications

• Outstanding research record of international stature in African archaeology and deep history.
• Demonstrated expertise in at least two major regions within Africa, including sub-Saharan Africa.

Responsibilities

• Teach and supervise within the Department of Archaeology.
• Conduct innovative research and project development.
• Engage in outreach and capacity building related to African archaeology.

Skills

Leadership qualities

Interdisciplinary research

African archaeology expertise

Fieldwork experience

Education

PhD or equivalent postgraduate qualification

Job description

Organisation/Company UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Research Field History Philosophy Religious sciences Cultural studies History Geosciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) First Stage Researcher (R1) Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 5 Jan 2026 - 00:00 (UTC) Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Department/Location: Department of Archaeology

Reference: JD48042

Category: Professorships/Directorships

Closing date: 5 January 2026

The Board of Electors to the Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Professorship of the Deep History and Archaeology of Africa invite applications for this Professorship from persons whose work falls within the general field of the Professorship to take up appointment on 1 September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Candidates will have an outstanding research record of international stature in African archaeology and deep history, broadly construed as an interdisciplinary field. They will demonstrate a continent-wide vision of this field and its major themes and a broad chronological range of engagement, as well as an understanding of the place of Africa and African archaeology in the wider global perspective. They will demonstrate expertise in at least two of the major regions within Africa, necessarily including sub-Saharan Africa, as well as extensive African fieldwork experience. They will have the commitment, knowledge, connections, enthusiasm, and leadership qualities to build both African archaeology in Cambridge and, collaboratively, archaeology within Africa, through intellectually innovative research, fieldwork, and other project development, team building, education, outreach, capacity building, and engagement with issues such as heritage, sustainability, and the politics of the past.

They will hold a PhD or equivalent postgraduate qualification. Standard professorial duties include teaching and research, examining, supervision, and administration. The Professor will be based in Cambridge. A competitive salary will be offered. The holder of the Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Professorship will be based in the Department of Archaeology, be a member of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research and also hold a Mandela Magdalene Memorial Fellowship at Magdalene College.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Applications consisting of a letter of application, a statement of current and future research plans, a curriculum vitae and a publications list, along with details of three referees, should be made online no later than 5 January 2026.

Informal enquiries may be directed to Professor Cameron A. Petrie (Convenor of Board of Electors and Head of Department): [e-mail] .

Please quote reference JD48042 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.