Research Fellowship for post-holders of Black Identity or Heritage (Research Associate, Fixed term)

Society for American Archaeology; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative opportunity awaits early career researchers of Black Identity or Heritage in archaeology. This one-year postdoctoral Fellowship offers a unique platform to develop research excellence with comprehensive support, including training and mentorship. The successful candidate will engage in a well-defined research project while receiving financial assistance for relocation and research costs. This Fellowship not only aims to foster diversity in academia but also provides a pathway to future funding opportunities. Join a forward-thinking institution committed to inclusivity and making a significant impact in the field of archaeology.

Benefits

£2,500 relocation costs

£5,000 training and research costs

Eligibility for additional funding

College Post-Doctoral Associate Position

Qualifications

• Candidates must have defended their PhD a maximum of 7 years prior to the closing date.
• Encouragement for diverse methodological approaches in archaeology.

Responsibilities

• Develop a well-focused research project during the Fellowship.
• Participate in training and mentorship to enhance academic career.

Skills

Research Excellence

Project Development

Mentorship

Education

PhD in Archaeology or related field

Job description

The McDonald Institute invites applications for the fourth annual Fellowship in archaeology (broadly defined) aimed at candidates of Black Identity or Heritage. The McDonald Institute aims to nurture excellence in the discipline of archaeology regardless of background and in pursuit of diverse knowledges, approaches and practices. We recognise that persistent structural inequalities disadvantage people from Black backgrounds and communities, including within higher education and academic research. As such, we are keen to enable underrepresented early career researchers of Black Identity or Heritage to develop their portfolio of research experience and to thrive in academia.

This one-year postdoctoral Fellowship is designed to attract research excellence and we will provide the Fellows with training, mentorship and support to drive their careers forward and to generate a more diverse pipeline of future talent. In addition to salary, the Fellow will be entitled to up to £2,500 relocation costs and £5,000 training and research costs to be spent within the year of the Fellowship. The Fellow will also have the opportunity to apply through open competition for up to £5,000 p.a. from the D.M. McDonald Grants and Awards Fund for each of three years subsequent to the Fellowship and will be eligible for up to £2,500 expenses for one subsequent return visit to Cambridge. The successful candidate will also be eligible to take up a College Post-Doctoral Associate Position (CPD) at Jesus College for the year of their appointment. It may be possible to extend the Fellowship (excluding the CPDA) for one further University term dependent on circumstances and funds.

The successful applicant will take up their Fellowship on 1st October 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. Applicants must normally have defended their PhD a maximum of 7 years prior to the closing date shown above. Applications are encouraged from all branches and fields of archaeology broadly construed, including also human evolution, heritage and museums studies, with no restrictions on methodological approach, period or geographic focus. Applicants should propose a well-focussed research project to be developed across the period of the Fellowship.

We strongly support applications from candidates of any nationality, though the successful post-holder must hold or be granted the right to live and work in the UK. We will support right to work applications. The Fellowship is open to people who self-identify as being from a Black Identity or Heritage background, including dual-heritage, understood as, Black British; Black African; Black Caribbean; African American; Black American; other Black backgrounds. We strongly encourage applicants from the United Kingdom and globally. We also strongly encourage applications from candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 30th September 2026 in the first instance.

The closing date is midnight (UK time) on Friday 2nd May 2025.

Please quote reference JC45453 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.