Research Assistant in Digital Heritage Documentation (Fixed Term)

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Cambridge and the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research are seeking a fixed-term Research Assistant in Digital Heritage Documentation for the MAEASaM project in Cambridge. You will help document endangered archaeological sites across Africa, ensuring data are FAIR and CARE compliant and prepared for the Arches database.

You will work with remote sensing, historical maps, and records-based research, contributing to data lifecycle tasks, ontology review, and data sharing

Qualifications

• The successful candidate should be educated to first degree level in a discipline relevant to the research, such as archaeology, heritage, digital humanities, geography/GIS, information or data management, computer science or a related field.
• Excellent knowledge and skills in the management of digital data, including metadata standards, ontologies, vocabularies and databases and understanding of the principles of good data management (metadata, version control, backups) using FAIR and CARE principles is essential.
• Experience working with geospatial datasets using GIS software and knowledge of heritage inventories, archaeological or collections data are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Run routine validation and quality-control checks on incoming data from project collaborators using auditing workflows.
• Prepare data for ingestion into the MAEASaM Arches database and contribute to the development of database documentation and Thesauri.
• Data collection and entry for the MAEASaM Arches database using remote sensing, historical map analysis and records-based research.
• Carry out basic analysis, summaries and visualisations of data; present progress on data tasks verbally and in writing; ensure compliance with the Data Management Plan.

Skills

Data management

Geospatial GIS

Metadata standards

Communication skills

Education

First degree in archaeology or related field

Tools

GIS software

Arches database

Job description

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 30 June 2029 in the first instance.The McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research invites applications for a fixed-term Research Assistant in Digital Heritage Documentation, generously supported by Arcadia (https://www.arcadiafund.org.uk).The post holder will be employed on the Mapping Africa's Endangered Archaeological Sites and Monuments (MAEASaM) project and will join a team of researchers based in Cambridge. The project aims to identify, document and share knowledge of endangered archaeological sites across twelve African countries, using a combination of remote sensing, historical map analysis, records-based research supported by ground-verification, and in-country assessments of the nature, extent and likelihood of threats to these heritage sites. The documentation is carried out in collaboration with in-country authorities, who are responsible for national heritage management and who guide the project on principles of data-sharing through an Open Access Arches database (https://tdb.maeasam.org/).The role holder will be employed as part of the research community at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, which is part of the Department of Archaeology within the Faculty of Human, Social and Political Science. They will support the MAEASaM project's digital data lifecycle (data collection, entry, validation, documentation, sharing and deposition) and will routinely interact with international partners to review existing data, ontologies and vocabularies to ensure that the MAEASaM database provides FAIR and CARE data.The main duties of the role will involve a range of technical and data management tasks including running routine validation and quality-control checks on incoming data from project collaborators, using the project's auditing workflows; prepare data for ingestion into the project's Arches database and contribute to the development of database documentation and Thesauri. The role will also involve data collection and entry for the MAEASaM Arches database using a combination of remote sensing, historical map analysis, records-based research. Additional duties are likely to include carrying out basic analysis, summaries and visualisations of data; presenting progress on data tasks verbally and in writing; ensure the overall project's compliance with the Data Management Plan. For a detailed description of responsibilities, please see the Further Particulars document.The successful candidate should be educated to first degree level in a discipline relevant to the research, such as archaeology, heritage, digital humanities, geography/GIS, information or data management, computer science or a related field. Excellent knowledge and skills in the management of digital data, including metadata standards, ontologies, vocabularies and databases and understanding of the principles of good data management (metadata, version control, backups) using FAIR and CARE principles is essential. Experience working with geospatial datasets using GIS software and knowledge of heritage inventories, archaeological or collections data are desirable. Candidates are expected to demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills.Interviews are expected to take place on 10th December 2026 (subject to confirmation).Informal enquiries may be addressed to the Project Manager, Dr Stefania Merlo ([e-mail]).Please quote reference JC51455 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.Apply online