Research Assistant: Craft Interactions in a New Kingdom Industrial Landscape

www.nationalmuseums.org.uk - Jobboard; London; On-site; GBP 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious institution is hiring a Research Assistant to study ancient Egyptian crafts in a fixed-term role. The position involves advanced material analysis techniques and collaboration on innovative research through a funded project. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical skills and contribute to the project's scientific outputs.

Benefits

Generous annual leave allowance

Membership of the civil service pension scheme

Free entry to museums and exhibitions

Professional development opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience in technological analysis of metals and vitreous materials using XRF, microscopy, or SEM.
• Experience in provenance studies with trace element and isotopic analysis.
• At least one peer-reviewed publication in a relevant field.

Responsibilities

• Undertake analysis of archaeological materials including metalwork and glass.
• Collaborate with project teams in the UK and Germany.
• Lead on scientific analysis and report results.

Skills

Technological analysis of metals and vitreous materials

Provenance studies using trace element and isotopic analysis

Strong organisational skills

Clear communicator

Collaborative team player

Education

Field-related degree

Tools

X-ray fluorescence (XRF)

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

Microscopy

LA-ICP-MS

Job description

Research Assistant: Craft Interactions in a New Kingdom Industrial Landscape

Research Assistant: Craft Interactions in a New Kingdom Industrial Landscape
Scientific Research
Full-time (41 hours per week, including one hour paid lunch break)
Fixed term (2 Years)
£35,868.30 per annum
Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on 1 July 2025

About the role:
We are seeking a Research Assistant to investigate ancient Egyptian high-temperature crafts, with a focus on understanding technological interactions during the New Kingdom—particularly at the site of Amarna in Middle Egypt. The post-holder will apply microscopy, elemental, and isotopic analysis to study the production technologies behind materials such as glass, faience, Egyptian Blue, and copper alloys. The post is part of an AHRC/DFG-funded project led by the British Museum and Freie Universität Berlin (https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/projects/craft-interactions-new-kingdom-egypt).

Key areas of responsibility:
• To undertake analysis of archaeological metalwork, glass, faience and pigments, as well as associated production remains (incl. technical ceramics).
• To use a variety of instrumental techniques for technological analysis, such as X-ray fluorescence, optical and digital microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, as required by the demands of the project.
• To use (and/or interpret results of) LA-ICP-MS to examine trace element distributions in different vitreous materials.
• To adhere to best practice and established protocols within the BM’s facilities for materials analysis, including data management policies and laboratory health and safety.
• To contribute to method development for vitreous materials analysis.
• To participate in trace element and isotopic analysis at external partner laboratories (incl. KU Leuven, Belgium).
• To participate in post-excavation materials analysis at Amarna (Egypt).
• To lead on the delivery of scientific analysis for the overall project, which includes the reporting of primary results as well as their interpretation.
• To lead on and contribute to wider research outputs e.g. through publication, conference presentations, website/social media and participation in public events.
• To collaborate with the project team in the UK and Germany.

About you:
• Demonstrated experience in the technological analysis of metals, vitreous materials, and/or production remains using XRF, microscopy, and/or SEM.
• Experience in provenance studies using trace element and/or isotopic analysis of metals and/or vitreous materials.
• Background in working within university departments, analytical laboratories, museums, or other cultural heritage institutions.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Clear and confident communicator, with fluency in spoken and written English.
• Collaborative team player.
• At least one peer-reviewed publication in a relevant field.

About the British Museum:
Founded in 1753, the British Museum’s remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. The Museum is a leading visitor attraction, and its world-famous collection includes the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, the Sutton-Hoo finds, and the Lewis Chessmen. The Museum also holds an extensive collection of prints and drawings spanning 600 years, including works by the greatest graphic artists such as Dürer, Michelangelo and Rembrandt.

You can view a selection of our impressive collection of prints and drawings in our virtual gallery.

The Museum offers a competitive benefits package including:

• Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service) plus 2.5 privilege days and plus bank holidays.
• Membership of the civil service defined benefit pension scheme (find out here what benefits a civil service pension provides).
• Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions
• Participation in private and public Museum activities, including talks by leading curators from around the world and behind-the-scenes opportunities to learn how museums care for and manage their extraordinary collections.
• Interest-free travel, bicycle, and rental deposit loans
• Professional and personal development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounts on food and gift shop purchases

National Museum Directors' Council, Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG.