Research Associate – Natural History Humanities

Research Associate Position in Natural History Humanities at University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

About Position/Job

The University of Cambridge is inviting applications for a Research Associate in Natural History Humanities as part of its Collections-Connections-Communities (CCC) Strategic Research Initiative, funded by the Isaac Newton Trust. This exciting interdisciplinary opportunity offers postdoctoral researchers the chance to develop independent research projects inspired by Cambridge’s rich natural history collections—spanning zoological, geological, botanical, and archival holdings. This fixed-term role is ideal for scholars eager to integrate humanities methodologies with museum and natural history studies.

Position/Job Details

Position: Research Associate in Natural History Humanities
Institution: University of Cambridge
Department: Botanic Garden
Research field: Natural History Humanities
Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom
Number of post: 1
Job Type: Full-time, Fixed-term Postdoctoral
Start Date (Anticipated): October 2025
Working Hours: 36.5 hours per week
Salary Range: £37,174 – £45,413 per annum
Required Degree/Diploma: Doctorate

Research Area

Interdisciplinary research in natural history
Cross-collections studies (zoological, geological, botanical)
Humanities methodologies
Public engagement and museum studies
Environmental humanities

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

PhD in a relevant humanities or interdisciplinary field
Demonstrated interest in natural history or museum-based research
Strong communication and collaborative skills

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working with museum collections
Proven record of publications or public engagement activities
Familiarity with zoological and/or geological collections

Key Responsibilities

Develop and lead an original research project using Cambridge’s natural history collections
Collaborate with CCC network and other Research Associates
Participate in seminars, public engagement events, and interdisciplinary dialogues
Contribute to talks, blogs, and social media for outreach
Engage with researchers, fellows, and community stakeholders