Postdoctoral Fellow in African Archaeological Science (ref. no. STARC_PDF_23_06)

The Cyprus Institute (CyI) is a European non-profit Science and Technology oriented Educational and Research Institution based in Cyprus and led by an acclaimed Board of Trustees. The research agenda of the CyI is pursued at its five Research Centres: The Computation-based Science and Technology Research Centre (CaSToRC), the Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Centre (STARC), the Energy Environment Water Research Centre (EEWRC), the Climate and Atmosphere Research Centre (CARE-C), and the Science and Technology Driven Policy and Innovation Research Centre (STeDI-RC). Considerable cross-centre interaction is a characteristic of the Institute’s culture.

The Cyprus Institute invites applications for a highly qualified and motivated individual to join the Institute as Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in the STARC Center.

The position is funded by the A. G. Leventis Foundation and implemented jointly by The Cyprus Institute (Cyprus) and the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge (UK). It aims to develop science-based archaeology in sub-Saharan West Africa, broadly defined as the region from Morocco to Cameroon, through the employment of a scholar with long-term institutional connections in the region. The successful applicant should outline in their application a research project in any aspect of archaeological materials science and technology (e.g., ancient ceramics, archaeometallurgy, glass and pigments) based in the region, with the aim and commitment to maintain their academic career in this field. The ideal candidate will lead the development and implementation of the project in close discussion with their West African host organisation and the two PIs in Cyprus and the UK, respectively (Professors Thilo Rehren and Marcos Martinón-Torres). The specific details of the project, and hence the African partner institution, will be decided in discussion with the chosen researcher and other colleagues in the region.

The position is fixed-term for 18 months, based at the Cyprus Institute in Nicosia (Cyprus). There is a non-guaranteed possibility of a subsequent 18-month fixed-term contract at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge (UK), in a comparable position and grade. Although not guaranteed, it is hoped that the role holder, upon completing their 18 months with the Cyprus Institute, will go on to hold this second, separate and non-continuous contract with the University of Cambridge.  A key objective is combining a research project with training at the two European host institutions, and local capacity building in archaeological science at the institutional partner in West Africa. The selection criteria will include

• The track record, career objectives and research potential of the applicant as demonstrated by their cv, cover letter and project proposal;
• The impact and sustainability of the newly-developed archaeological science capacity in West Africa;
• The potential for long-term cooperation and network building across institutions.

Responsibilities/activities to be involved in:

1. Develop and implement an archaeological materials science research project based in West Africa, in close discussion with the PIs and the host institution;
2. Conduct fieldwork and laboratory research as appropriate and under the supervision and mentorship of the PIs;
3. Contribute to the development of a sustainable archaeological science capacity in a West African academic institution, in close cooperation with the regional host institution and the PIs;
4. Publish research activities and outcomes at relevant conferences and media, as co-authored outputs meeting the highest standards of academic best practice;
5. Develop and maintain a professional network of archaeological science practitioners in West Africa, jointly with the regional host institution and the PIs